What Should You Do to Stop Dry Tight Skin After Taking a Shower?

Long, hot showers may be to blame for your dry skin.
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There’s nothing like standing in a steaming hot shower, letting the water warm up your body and your soul. Although hot showers feel good at the time, especially on a cold winter day, they could be hurting your skin more than helping it. If you have dry, tight skin after taking a shower, it may be because the water is too hot, you’re using the wrong soap or both.

1 It's Getting Hot in Here

Hot water softens the oils that are naturally present in your pores. A soap scrub-down in hot water strips your skin of its moisture and its protective oil. To keep the natural oils intact, turn down the temperature and go for a quick, cool shower. Use cream cleansers that are gentle on the skin and don’t affect the skin’s pH, rather than harsh bar soaps. Moisturize right after you leave the shower while your skin is still a little damp.

Lindsay Boyers has a Bachelor of Science in nutrition from Framingham State College and a certificate in holistic nutrition from the American College of Healthcare Sciences. She is also a licensed aesthetician with advanced training in skincare and makeup. She plans to continue on with her education, complete a master's degree program in nutrition and, ultimately, become a registered dietitian.

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