Bath cream functions to clean the skin like ordinary liquid bath soap, but bath creams also have ingredients that moisturize the skin. Bath creams are good for people with dry skin, sensitive skin, or those with skin conditions like eczema, but anyone can enjoy their benefits. If you're ready to replace your soap with a shower cream, choose the product and the applicator. Then you are ready to shower while moisturizing your skin.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Choosing a Shower Cream
Step 1. Use a shower cream if your skin is normal, dry, or sensitive
Check your skin to see if your complexion looks even, without any oily spots or blemishes, which means your skin is normal. Otherwise, check to see if your skin feels tight, itchy, or rough, and watch for cracks or peeling. These are signs of dry skin. Also consider whether your skin is prone to irritation, which means your skin may be sensitive.
- Since the shower cream will add moisture to the skin, it's a great option if your skin needs more nourishment.
- Shower creams may not be the best choice for oily skin, as they also contain oil. You may prefer to use regular shower gel or moisturizing soap instead.
Step 2. Find a product that contains the oil or moisturizer you want
Bath creams contain oils or moisturizers that add moisture and leave a thin protective layer on the skin. Read the product label to identify the oil or moisturizer in the cream. Choose products with oil or shea butter for softer skin and a thinner protective layer. To maintain moisture, buy products that contain petrolatum (petroleum jelly).
- For example, many shower creams contain oils such as sunflower oil, almond oil, coconut oil, or soybean oil. However, this shower cream may also contain shea butter or petrolatum.
- The oil and shea butter will be absorbed beneath the surface of the skin to add moisture. In addition, these two ingredients will create a protective layer on the skin that is usually water permeable.
- On the other hand, petrolatum creates a protective layer on the skin but is impermeable to water. This means the petrolatum will hold the moisture inside, but make it impossible for your skin to breathe. In addition, it prevents additional moisture, such as lotion, from absorbing into your skin.
Step 3. Choose a product with less content to avoid stickiness
Shower creams leave a layer of moisture, which can leave skin feeling sticky. If this bothers you, look for a product that contains only one oil or moisturizer. This way, your skin won't have multiple layers of moisture after a shower.
Dry skin is less likely to be sticky than normal or oily skin. If your skin already contains a lot of natural oils, the moisturizer from the shower cream may remain on the skin's surface
Step 4. Avoid fragrances if your skin is dry or sensitive
While fragrance can enrich the bathing experience, it's not a good idea if you have sensitive skin. Unfortunately, fragrances can irritate sensitive skin, resulting in itchy, dry, or red skin. Just choose a formula that is fragrance-free.
Check the label to see if the product is fragrance-free. You can also check if there are signs that the product is safe for sensitive skin. In addition, the list of ingredients will also tell you whether the product contains fragrance
Part 2 of 3: Applying Cream
Step 1. Use your hands as the easiest and cleanest tool
Most applicators can invite bacteria, except your hands. Hands are easy to wash, so you don't have to worry about bacterial growth. In addition, your hands may be a softer choice than other applicators. Unless you really like the applicator, just use your hands to apply the shower cream.
- Your hand can be a good applicator if your skin is very dry or has a skin condition.
- Keep in mind that you can use more cream if you use your hands to apply it.
Step 2. Choose a sponge or loofah to exfoliate the skin and create a lather
If you like to create a lot of foam, then a sponge is your best bet. You can also choose a sponge or a loofah as they are both great exfoliants that remove dead skin cells, leaving skin soft.
Sponges and loofahs can feel rough, which may irritate the skin. If you have dry or sensitive skin, it might be best to just use your hands or a washcloth
Warning:
Bacteria thrive on sponges and loofahs, so it's important to keep them clean. Let the sponge or looofah dry after every shower. Then, once a week, soak for 5 minutes in a mixture of 1:9 bleach and water. Also, change the sponge or loofah every 3 to 4 weeks.
Step 3. Use a washcloth if you want a soft, washable applicator
New washcloths can be purchased daily, so you can use them if you want to use the applicator but are worried about bacteria growing. Plus, the washcloth is soft, so you'll probably like how it feels when it hits your skin.
- A soft washcloth is probably the best choice for dry or sensitive skin, if you don't want to use your hands.
- Wash your washcloth after each use.
Tip:
Sponges and loofahs will usually produce more lather than washcloths.
Part 3 of 3: Cleansing the Body
Step 1. Wet the skin with warm water so that the cream spreads easily
Stand under the running water from the shower or use your hands or the applicator to wet your skin. Just stand in the shower for a few seconds, as spending too much time in the shower can dry out your skin.
- If you are in the shower, step out of the shower while applying the shower cream.
- Limit your shower time to 5-10 minutes as long showers can dry out your skin.
Tip:
Compared to hot water, warm water is a better choice for bathing in a bath or shower. If the water is too hot, your skin may become dry.
Step 2. Pour about 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of shower cream into your hand or applicator
Open a shower cream bottle cap and pour it onto your hands, sponge, loofah, or washcloth. Then, close the bottle before placing it back.
You only need shower cream about the size of a metal coin. Body washes don't require a lot of cream, unless your body is very dirty. In fact, using too much cream can leave a film on the skin and may clog your pores
Step 3. Rub your hands together or squeeze the applicator to create a lather
If you're using your hands, you just need to rub it against your hands to create friction. For a loofah or sponge, squeeze in the middle to make it foamy. With a washcloth, rub and squeeze to make it slightly foamy.
- Keep in mind that the washcloth won't create a lot of lather, so just squeeze it 1 or 2 times.
- Also, natural and organic shower creams usually won't produce a lot of lather.
Step 4. Apply shower cream all over the skin
Start at the neck and work your way down to the toes. This way, there will be no shower cream that accidentally flows into other parts of the body that have been soaped. Plus, it helps you move from the cleanest to the dirtiest.
- If necessary, add more shower cream on your hands or applicator as needed.
- Do not rub shower cream on your face or genitals. Both are sensitive parts of the body, so you should use a product specially formulated to clean them. For the genitals, you can simply use a mild, unscented soap to clean it every day.
Step 5. Rinse your skin with warm water
Stand in the shower and let the water wash off all the shower cream. If you're in the tub, rinse your sponge, loofah, or washcloth thoroughly to remove any remaining shower cream. Then, use the applicator to help rinse your body until your skin is clean.
Remember not to use hot water, as it can dry out your skin
Step 6. Get out of the shower and pat yourself dry with a towel
Stand on a bath mat or towel to avoid slippery puddles. Then use a clean, dry towel to dry your skin. Try not to rub the skin, as this can cause irritation.
Be careful not to slip when stepping out of the shower or tub. Shower cream can make the bathroom floor slippery
Step 7. Moisturize after bathing with shower cream to treat dry skin
Even though bath creams already contain moisturizers, they don't replace regular moisturizers. Rub body lotion, cream, or body butter on the skin to add moisture and provide a protective layer on the skin.
- Creams and body butters contain more moisturizer than body lotions.
- If you use a shower cream that contains petrolatum, your moisturizer will not be absorbed by the skin properly.
Tips
- Shower creams are more moisturizing than regular liquid soaps or shower gels.
- To find out if a product is a shower cream, check the label.
Warning
- Do not use shower cream on the face. Your facial skin is sensitive, so you need to use a cleansing formula made especially for your face.
- Be careful using shower cream, as it can make your bath or shower very slippery. You don't want to have a slip and fall accident.
