If you don't have any specific skin concerns, then you really just need water and your favorite soap or body wash. “Water is excellent at washing off sweat and dust and the normal lint that we pick up around us every day, [while] soap is really good at pulling oils out of the skin,” Dr.
Because hands are not considered optimal for exfoliation, they can leave behind dirt, oil and dead skin cells. Unclean hands can also contaminate skin on the face and body by introducing acne-causing bacteria. The verdict: Using your hands is perfectly fine as long as you wash them first to avoid spreading bacteria.
Cleanse With Care
Doris Day, a board-certified dermatologist in New York, suggests products labeled as "cleanser," such as a moisturizing body wash. "Cleansers can add the moisture back into your skin," she says. If you haven't had trouble with dry or irritated skin, though, traditional soap is fine.
“Mold can harbor in loofahs and sponges alike, as well as germs, dead skin cells, and remnants of dirt, oil, and grime that we scrub off our bodies,” Dr. Frieling explains. “This can cause infection if washing an open cut, trap bacteria inside your pores, and prevent you from really cleansing yourself from germs.”
Washcloths are an efficient standby if you want to ditch loofahs, poufs, and sponges altogether. They have a gentle exfoliating effect and can spread soap later easily. Best of all, a washcloth can just be thrown right into a washing machine after use and rinsed with detergent and hot water regularly.
Sea sponge is an alternative to loofahs. Like loofahs, they don't have any dyes, preservatives, or chemicals inside. Sea sponge has some naturally occurring enzymes that kill bacteria. Sea sponge will still need to be cleaned regularly, dried after your shower, and replaced frequently.
What should I wash first? Wash from top to bottom. This will allow the soap to rinse off your skin. Focus on the parts of your body that need it the most such as under your arms, breasts, vulva and feet.
There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Many doctors say a daily shower is fine for most people. (More than that could start to cause skin problems.) But for many people, two to three times a week is enough and may be even better to maintain good health.
Immensely hydrating, it's thicker and works up a much larger lather then Dove or other body washes (not that Dove's isn't latherful as well). Olay definitely goes on heavier but rinses clean and makes skin touchably smooth within the first try and leaves skin hydrated throughout the day.
The #1 dermatologist recommended body wash, Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash gives you instantly soft skin and lasting nourishment after just one shower. Dove body wash is sulfate free with a mild, pH-balanced formula, making it a great body wash for dry skin, unlike typical bath soap or shower gel.
Not all areas of your body need soap in order to get clean. Limit soap to your armpits, groin, feet, hands, and face, and stick to warm water for the rest of your body. This will help keep your skin from getting too dry.
Use a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser that does not contain alcohol. Wet your face with lukewarm water and use your fingertips to apply cleanser. Resist the temptation to scrub your skin because scrubbing irritates the skin. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry with a soft towel.
All you absolutely need, bare bones, to stay clean is water. Just water. Water does a fine job of rinsing away dirt without stripping vital oils from your skin. Also, avoid those luxurious long, hot showers.
"But if you're going to choose one, wash cloths are much better than loofahs, provided you only use the cloth one time before washing it. Both can harbor bacteria, but loofahs are much more prone to doing so given all their 'nooks and crannies. '"
You should wash your towels and washcloths after every 3-5 uses, although some experts say your washcloth should only be used once before washing. When it comes to replacing your bath towels and washcloths, there's no hard and fast rule. You just need to pay attention to the absorbency and softness.
Replace it regularly.
“If you have a natural loofah, you should replace it every three to four weeks,” she says. “If you have one of the plastic ones, those can last for two months.” Usually, but not always: “If you notice any mold growing on your loofah, you should throw it away and get a new one,” she says.
The wool sea sponge is the most popular of all natural sponges. It is the highest quality, most durable, softest, most pliable and absorbent sponge available. It's soft lambs wool type texture makes it perfect for bathing.
Hanging a used washcloth in a moist shower for later use is a bad idea. Bacteria thrive in moist environments such as a wet washcloth. Washing your face with a washcloth that hasn't been cleaned could spread the bacteria on your skin, potentially leading to an illness or infection.
Apply a mild soap or cleanser to your underarm area.
If you're using a bar of soap, simply rub it into your armpit hair. If you're using a liquid cleanser or body wash, squeeze a dollop of the product onto your hand, washcloth, or loofah. Then, swipe it over your armpits.