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Health

Not showering every day?

(114 Posts)
tanith Mon 24-Jun-24 16:16:43

I’ve showered every day sometimes twice on a hot day for as long as I can remember. I’m 75 and the skin on my arms and legs especially is so dry despite moisturising it’s flakey. I’m wondering if perhaps showering less often or not washing my limbs with soap just water might help alleviate the dryness.
Trouble is I know I’m going to feel grubby not showering.
Any thoughts?

Luckygirl3 Mon 24-Jun-24 19:52:59

I shower twice a week ... otherwise I wash the "pits and the bits" and use a good deodorant.

Coolgran65 Mon 24-Jun-24 19:49:29

I use Deramol to shower. In a blue pump action container from the chemist. Then I also moisturize with it. My doctor started me on this some time ago. It's not expensive but is available on prescription. When washing my hair I keep my head forward to avoid shampoo going down my back.

Callistemon213 Mon 24-Jun-24 19:48:49

A moisturising lotion which can also be used as a cleanser in the shower might help.
Epimax is one, there may be other brands available.

Esmay Mon 24-Jun-24 19:07:20

Take a warm not hot shower , don't soap your limbs - just your underarms .
Pat dry .
Apply the best moisturiser that you can afford and please don't slip in the shower tray when you shower again !

Oreo Mon 24-Jun-24 19:05:12

Leave the groin area alone, soap products just cause problems.
Raising your arms under the shower cleans armpits and feet come out very clean with all the warm water on them.

valdali Mon 24-Jun-24 19:01:19

I think armpits, groin & feet are recommended to be soaped every day, I don't think any other areas need soap/ showerwash on a daily basis & it is drying. Just sluice off with water & towel dry. For apres shower, Aveno is very good, reasonably priced (it lasts well) & not strongly scented.

Oreo Mon 24-Jun-24 18:59:23

silverlining48

Given we used to have a bath just once a week I am sure showering every day is a choice, not a necessity ( unless it’s been very hot). Try cutting down and use just water, see what you think. I only use soap on my hands never my face. I don’t use deodorant either and I don’t smell or feel grubby.
Or at least no one has said anything to the contrary and I know they woukd….wink

True.
I do shower each day but rarely with any shower gel or soap, just stand under warm, not hot water.Does the job and no dryness.

Cossy Mon 24-Jun-24 18:54:14

I use a lovely olive oil bar soap and a “real” sponge. All over moisturise about once a week

silverlining48 Mon 24-Jun-24 18:46:58

Here in the SE the water is very hard. When we go away I notice the difference.

avitorl Mon 24-Jun-24 18:43:56

I think it is probably worse if you are in a hard water area.I have a water softener fitted which definitely improved how my hair is.

lemsip Mon 24-Jun-24 18:30:39

I use 'Childs Farm' baby'moisturiser on my legs after showering with a 'Dove' beauty bar. A Dermatologist told me to use this as it actually has no harmful additives and is not soap.

LauraNorderr Mon 24-Jun-24 18:15:36

Exfoliating legs and arms with a good loofah in the shower helps get rid of dry skin leaving skin smooth and ready for moisturiser.

NotSpaghetti Mon 24-Jun-24 18:12:32

My 100 year old Mother-in-law uses Aveno moisturising Lotion.
I know she showers daily. I believe she uses dove "soap" as I've seen it in the shower. Despite some odema her skin is good.

I use olive oil soap. I shower daily and also wash my hair nearly every day (using an Avalon Organics shampoo). I use a moisturiser on my legs.

I swim 3 or 4 days a week and shower very thoroughly those days as need to get the chemicals off.
I use an olive leaf moisturiser at the pool.

My skin becomes dry if I miss moisturiser for more than 2 days but otherwise is good. I'm sure the pool is the "killer".

I hope you find something that works for you.

LucyAnna2 Mon 24-Jun-24 18:08:19

NfkDumpling

annsixty

I hope that demonologist wasn’t too scary NfkD
😯😳

She was a friend. But yes, still could be quite scary, and what she said made sense. (It usually did) Definitely a person to have on your side!

I think annsixty meant that you’d described her as a demonologist grin

Callistemon213 Mon 24-Jun-24 18:00:39

Vintagewhine

Try Aveeno body wash, not expensive and I find it really helps to keep my skin from becoming too dry.

Followed by Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturising Lotion.

gigi1958 Mon 24-Jun-24 18:00:14

A dermatlogist told me showering/bathing every day is terrible for your skin, however I almost always shower every day unless I'm sick or something. The bigger issue is what we shower with, my Gynecologist told me to be VERY careful how I clean my "bits" most shower gels/soaps are too harsh. I had a terrible allergic reaction that lasted nearly a year. Now I use only a all natural cleanser from the Good Clean Love company and it does not cause any irritation,

Vintagewhine Mon 24-Jun-24 17:59:10

Try Aveeno body wash, not expensive and I find it really helps to keep my skin from becoming too dry.

NfkDumpling Mon 24-Jun-24 17:57:45

annsixty

I hope that demonologist wasn’t too scary NfkD
😯😳

She was a friend. But yes, still could be quite scary, and what she said made sense. (It usually did) Definitely a person to have on your side!

crazyH Mon 24-Jun-24 17:51:27

I too have a hot shower every day. I use Dove moisturising soap. I lightly towel dry, and while my skin is still damp, I slap moisturiser all over. I’m in my 70s and have a fairly nice skin.

CanadianGran Mon 24-Jun-24 17:49:07

Another thing, try eating more healthy oils in your diet. I started taking 1 tbs flaxseed oil in the morning for the health benefits, and have noticed my normally flaky legs are much smoother!

tanith Mon 24-Jun-24 17:31:47

Thanks for lots of ideas we shall see if they improve.

silverlining48 Mon 24-Jun-24 17:25:04

grin

annsixty Mon 24-Jun-24 17:13:01

I hope that demonologist wasn’t too scary NfkD
😯😳

Charleygirl5 Mon 24-Jun-24 17:10:11

I always use liquid soap when I shower. I would not feel clean if I only used water. My legs become extra dry so I slather them with oodles of cream. Occasionally I skip a shower if my lower legs are extra dry. This is caused mainly by lymphoedema.

Ziggy62 Mon 24-Jun-24 17:07:04

I use baby shower/bath products which help but don't shower every day but do wash "important bits "