If your skin feels dry after a shower, there could be a few different things causing it. In this blog we’ll take a look at what causes dry skin after a shower, what moisturising shower gels you can use to work with your dry skin and dry skin tips you can try.
While it isn’t unusual for your skin to feel dry after a shower, it doesn’t have to be the norm. Dry skin can be itchy, flaky and start to feel sore if it’s left to dry out. It’s most common on the arms and legs, but it can appear anywhere on your body.
Changing a few steps in your shower routine can completely transform your skin and leave your skin feeling calmer, and you feeling more comfortable. Here’s everything you need to know about preventing dry skin after a shower.
At a glance:
- The weather, time of year and home environment can all make skin more prone to feeling dry
- Take a closer look at the products you use in the shower – they could be drying out your skin
- We recommend: Green People Moisturising Shower Gel
- Build a moisturising post-shower routine by applying lotion or oil to lock in hydration
What can cause dry skin after a shower?
Cold weather can play havoc with our skin's moisture levels so it is quite common to suffer with dry skin after a shower in the cooler months and even into spring. But, whilst the weather plays a key role in determining how dry our skin is, it’s not the only thing that can cause it.
Dry skin develops when the skin produces less sebum and it can be made worse by:
- Central heating
- Air conditioning
- Over-exfoliating
- Use of alcohol-based skin care
- Use of SLS-based skin care
- Dietary deficiencies
With some commonly used body wash ingredients known to make dry skin worse, it’s possible that your dry skin could be solved by simply changing your shower routine.
4 moisturising shower gels for dry skin
Using the right shower gel for your skin can make a big difference to how you feel after a shower. Using a moisturising shower gel that doesn’t contain harsh, drying ingredients can completely change your post-shower skin.
Our Moisturising Shower Gel is made with hydrating Aloe Vera, calming Marshmallow Root and rejuvenating Neroli Oil to soothe, hydrate and protect your skin’s natural Hyaluronic Acid.
It also skips skin-drying alcohols and harsh foaming agents that can dry out your skin and cause irritation. It’s gentle enough for sensitive skin, and can even be used as a bubble bath too.
Supercharge your shower routine with our certified organic moisture-boost body wash
259 kr
Moisturising Shower Gel 200ml
If your skin feels sensitive or you prefer a different scent, you may like to try one of our other shower gels. All packed with a super hydrating Aloe Vera base and made without drying ingredients, these natural and organic body washes leave skin clean, soft and cared for.
5 dry skin shower tips to try
1) TURN DOWN THE TEMPERATURE OF YOUR SHOWER
It can be tempting to have a super-hot shower but washing in very warm water can damage blood vessels below the skin surface. This can leave your skin feeling dry or damaged.
Going from room temperature to a hot, steamy environment also exposes your skin to a sudden temperature change and this can leave the skin more vulnerable to dryness. By turning down the temperature of your shower, you’re making a kinder choice for dry skin. Cooler water will help to avoid drying out your skin’s natural sebum layer or skin barrier that protects it.
2) SWITCH FROM SLS
SLS is an irritating detergent that is commonly used to make shower gels, bubble bath and shampoos. Effective at washing skin and hair, this ingredient is known to aggravate sensitive skin and strips the skin of its natural protective oils.
The skin on the scalp can be particularly vulnerable to SLS so if your scalp is feeling itchy or flaky, try switching to an SLS-free shampoo. This will help soothe the skin and bring it back into balance.
Skin prone to eczema can also benefit from SLS-free shower products. Made with hydrating Aloe Vera, our SLS-free shower gels retain moisture in the skin to keep it hydrated and healthy.
Which body wash is best for dry skin?
Not sure which body wash is best for you and your skin? To make shopping for SLS-free products easier, here’s what you need to know:
- Green People does not use SLS in any products.
- Instead we use natural foaming agents such as Coconut and Yucca which soothe the skin as they cleanse.
- We don’t use harsh, skin-drying alcohol in any of our products either.
Our very favourite body wash for dry skin is our luxurious Moisturising Shower Gel. Featuring organic Aloe Vera and sweet floral extracts from Neroli, it gives a blissful shower experience.
Moisturising Shower Gel 200ml
Supercharge your shower routine with our certified organic moisture-boost body wash
259 kr
3) AVOID ALCOHOL-BASED SHOWER PRODUCTS
Alcohol is often added to personal care products to make them feel lighter on the skin but some alcohols, such as ethanol, are drying on the skin. When applied to the skin, ethanol evaporates and strips away your skin’s natural moisture. This can leave it feeling tight and dry.
It can be challenging to avoid alcohol-based skin care and it is important to remember that not all alcohol is bad for the skin. This is why we don’t use ethanol alcohol in any of our products.
Cetearyl alcohol for example, is a wax-like ingredient derived from plants and is used in many Green People products for its excellent nourishing and emollient properties.
4) TAKE EXTRA CARE WHEN EXFOLIATING
Regularly exfoliating the skin has many benefits and we recommend exfoliating at least twice a week during the winter using an oil-based sugar scrub. This helps to get rid of flaky skin and helps speed up skin’s regeneration.
While exfoliating is great, it isn’t something you need to do every day. This is because excessive exfoliation speeds up skin-cell turnover to an unhealthy rate.
This damages the skin barrier function and can leave skin feeling tight, sensitive or prone to allergic reactions and acne breakouts.
5) ADAPT YOUR AFTERCARE REGIME
The way you care for your skin after you step out of the shower can be as damaging to the skin as the way you shower.
Rubbing skin dry with a towel after bath time can aggravate sensitive skin so consider patting the skin dry instead. Use a soft towel, and be conscious of what products you use to clean things like towels and wash cloths too.
Once the skin is dry it is important to lock in hydration by applying a skin-nourishing body lotion or body oil. Choose a lotion or oil rich in Omega-3&6 as these fatty acids are known to soften and protect the skin.
We love our citrus-scented Protein-Boost Hand & Body Lotion for its rich, nourishing texture. It gently smooths into the skin, leaving lasting hydration and touchable softness.
Protein-Boost Hand & Body Lotion 200ml
Lock in hydration as you nourish dry skin with this natural body lotion
392 kr
If you have very dry skin that is very sensitive, you may like instead to try our Scent Free Body Lotion. Made with a hydrating Aloe Vera base but with no essential oils or fragrance, this is the ideal post-shower moisturiser for dry and sensitive skin.
Scent Free Body Lotion 150ml
Discover deep skin hydration with our soothing, fragrance-free body lotion
406 kr
If you prefer a body oil for giving a silky finish, say goodbye to dry skin after your shower with one of our Alexandra Kay body oils. Made with natural and organic ingredients, these beautifully gentle oils are fortified with reparative Rosehip and moisturising Hemp – bliss for dry skin.
REVIEWED BY CHARLOTTE, FOUNDER OF GREEN PEOPLE
This blog post has been reviewed by Charlotte Vøhtz, founder of Green People, who has 25+ years of experience in the natural and organic beauty industry.
A recognised leader in the field of organic beauty, Charlotte helped inform the UK's first organic beauty standards and was voted the People’s Choice in the 2023 list of Who’s Who in Natural Beauty.
A published author, she wrote the organic beauty bible ‘Naturally Gorgeous’. Previously, she qualified as a nurse and spent over 10 years working in pharmaceuticals.
Would you like help choosing the best shower gel for dry skin? Our UK customer care team is happy to help on 01403 740350 or via @GreenPeopleUK on social.
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