Gentle Skincare Tips for Everyone!

I believe that gentle skincare is something that can benefit everyone. While certain skin conditions like eczema or contact dermatitis may require stricter skincare routines, incorporating gentle techniques can be helpful for anyone experiencing occasional dryness or itchiness. Here are some of my top tips that I often share with my patients.

1. Use a gentle, fragrance-free soap. One of the initial recommendations from almost every dermatologist is to transition to products that are fragrance-free. Despite natural fondness for fragrance, it can frequently cause subtle irritation to our skin.The single most recommended product I myself and my colleagues recommend is Dove Sensitive Skin Bar Soap or if you prefer liquid the Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash. There are also a number of other brands that are know for their face washes, but also have some great body washes including CeraVe and Cetaphil.

   
   

2. Avoid excessively hot or long showers. Taking long showers or using very hot water can lead to dry skin. To combat dryness and itchiness, I typically recommend keeping shower time to a maximum of 5-10 minutes. The water temperature should be warm, similar to what you would use for a baby's bath - not too hot or too cold. Shorter showers are not only beneficial for your skin but also for the environment and can help reduce your electricity costs.

   
   

3. Ditch your loofahs, sponges, and washcloths. I anticipate receiving criticism for this opinion. Although I was raised using washcloths, I have come to realize they can actually harm your skin. They often cause small abrasions to the skin and can reintroduce unwanted bacteria that can precipitate itchiness. Instead, opt for using your hands to gently lather soap on your skin before rinsing.

   
   

4. Pat dry your skin after exiting the shower. This one can be hard when you're in a hurry, but rather than vigorously drying your skin, gently pat your skin until it is slightly damp. This residual moisture will be sealed in by your moisturizer (as explained in the next step) and will provide hydration for your skin throughout the day.

   
   

5. Apply a thick moisturizer, fragrance-free moisturizer. With the very slight dampness that remains on your skin from step 3, proceed to seal in the moisture with a rich moisturizer. I I advise patients to opt for a CREAM over a lotion. Moisturizers vary in thickness, with ointments like Vaseline being the thickest and lotions with a higher water content being the thinnest. Although ointments are most effective at retaining moisture, they can feel too oily for daily application. I suggest sticking with a cream moisturizer, typically found in jars rather than pump bottles.Some of my favorites include CeraVe Moisturizing Cream and Eucerin Advanced Repair Cream.

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This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified dermatologist or healthcare provider for personalized diagnosis and treatment of any skin or scalp condition. If you experience persistent or severe symptoms, seek professional medical attention promptly.