Can showering every day during a heatwave do harm?

In warm weather, many people jump in the shower every day or even more often. In HLN, Dr Griet Voet explains that this need not be a problem, as long as your skin tolerates it well. Water and soap do remove part of the natural lipid layer, and people with dry skin or atopic eczema are more sensitive to this.

Flaking, a tight feeling, redness and above all itching are signs that the skin barrier is suffering. Dr Voet advises taking short showers with lukewarm water and using a gentle shower oil instead of soap. The most important thing is the care afterwards: apply a moisturising cream shortly after showering. She showers every day herself and moisturises every time.

• Keep showers short, around five to ten minutes, with lukewarm water.

• Choose a mild shower oil instead of ordinary soap.

• Apply a moisturising cream within half an hour of showering.

• Watch out for itching, flaking or a tight feeling as warning signs.

Want to know more? Read about Allergies and eczema at Clinique Dermatologie Gent.