Body Hygiene: How to Care for Your Skin Every Day
Body hygiene helps you feel fresh and protects against infections. However, washing too often, with water that is too hot or with products that are too harsh can dry out your skin.
In this article you will learn how often to wash, which cleanser to choose, how to wash your hands properly and how to care for dry skin.
In brief. Keep showers short and use lukewarm water, then apply a moisturising cream or lotion after showering.1 Wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds.2 Choose gentle cleansers that do not irritate the skin.
How often should you wash?
Most people do not need to shower several times a day. Once a day, or after exercise and sweating, is often enough.3 The most important thing is to wash the areas that sweat the most every day: the armpits, groin and feet.4
How to wash without drying out your skin
- Keep it short: 5–10 minutes in the shower.1
- Use lukewarm, not hot, water. Hot water strips the skin's natural oils.1
- Pat dry gently with a towel; do not rub.1
- Within a few minutes of showering, apply a moisturising lotion or cream to your body while the skin is still damp.1
Example. If your skin feels tight and itchy after a hot shower in winter, shorten your shower, lower the water temperature and choose a richer lotion or balm.
Which cleanser should you choose?
The surface of healthy skin is slightly acidic – its pH is usually below 5.5 That is why gentle cleansers, which disrupt the skin's natural barrier less, suit many people.
| Skin | What to choose |
|---|---|
| Normal | Gentle shower gel or liquid soap |
| Dry | Creamy or emollient shower gel, cleansing oil |
| Sensitive, prone to irritation | Fragrance-free products1 |
Hand washing
Washing your hands is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself from infections.2
- Wet your hands and lather up with soap.
- Rub for at least 20 seconds: palms, between the fingers, thumbs and nails.2
- Rinse and dry with a clean towel.
Example. Twenty seconds is roughly the time it takes to count slowly to twenty. Most people wash their hands for much less time.
Deodorant or antiperspirant?
- Deodorant masks and reduces body odour.
- Antiperspirant reduces sweating.4
Antiperspirant works best when applied to dry, clean skin. If you sweat a great deal and antiperspirants do not help, talk to your doctor.4
How to reduce body odour
- Wash your armpits and other areas that sweat every day.4
- Choose clothes made of natural fibres, such as cotton, and change them often.4
- Shower and change clothes as soon as possible after exercise.
Example. If odour appears after only a few hours, try an antiperspirant instead of a deodorant and apply it only to completely dry, clean skin.
Feet and intimate hygiene
Feet. Wash them every day and dry them thoroughly, especially between the toes. Do not share towels and change your socks every day.6
Intimate hygiene. For the external intimate area, water and a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser are enough. There is no need to wash inside the vagina – it cleans itself.7
Selected body care products
Commercial information. These are products available in our shop. This is not a ranking of effectiveness. Before buying, check the ingredients and instructions for use on the product page.
FARMONA my'Bio Nourishing Emollient Shower Gel North Sea Sea Buckthorn 500ml
Emollient shower gel for dry and rough skin with macadamia oil, glycerin and sea buckthorn extract. The manufacturer states that it contains 97% ingredients of natural origin.8
AA HELP Body lotion - for very dry skin 400ml
Body lotion for very dry and sensitive skin with plant oils. It is most convenient to apply immediately after showering, while the skin is still damp.9
NIVEA Women's Antiperspirant Stick Pearl & Beauty 50 ml
Antiperspirant stick with pearl extract. The manufacturer states that it can be used after shaving and hair removal. Apply to dry, clean skin.10
Lactacyd Femina Intimate Hygiene Emulsion - pump 200ml
Intimate hygiene emulsion with lactic acid and mild cleansing agents. Intended for daily washing of the external intimate area.11
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to wash every day?
Not always. If you have not exercised or sweated, it is often enough to wash the areas that sweat the most.3
Why does my skin itch after a shower?
The most common cause is water that is too hot and showers that are too long, which dry out the skin. Try lukewarm water in the shower and a moisturising cream afterwards.1 If the itching does not go away or a rash appears, see a doctor.
Is antibacterial soap better than regular soap?
For everyday hand washing, regular soap and water are a suitable choice.2
Scientific sources
- American Academy of Dermatology. Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin. aad.org
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Clean Hands: When and How to Wash Your Hands. cdc.gov
- Harvard Health Publishing. Showering daily – is it necessary? health.harvard.edu
- NHS. Body odour (BO). nhs.uk
- Lambers H, Piessens S, Bloem A et al. Natural skin surface pH is on average below 5, which is beneficial for its resident flora. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2006;28(5):359–370. doi:10.1111/j.1467-2494.2006.00344.x
- NHS. Athlete's foot. nhs.uk
- NHS. Keeping your vagina clean and healthy. nhs.uk
- Farmona. my'Bio Nourishing Emollient Shower Gel, 500 ml. Product information.
- AA. Help Body Lotion for very dry skin, 400 ml. Product information.
- Nivea. Antiperspirant Stick Pearl & Beauty, 50 ml. Product information.
- Lactacyd. Femina intimate hygiene emulsion, 200 ml. Product information.
Disclaimer. This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace the advice of a doctor, dermatologist or pharmacist. If your skin itches for a long time, a rash appears or other changes occur, see a doctor.
