Item #4 on my list – exercise – can be broken into two intensity categories based on whether I need to shower after the workout or not. My running workouts always lead to a shower whereas my strength routines do not. Given that I run at least four times a week, this means I shower at least once every other day, a sufficient frequency based on my research about showering norms in other cultures. For now, I’ve decided to forgo showering unless it’s after a run (1).
Showering decisions are important for me because my facial skin care regimen is closely linked to this aspect of my routine. I almost always shave after a shower because the warm water on my face eases the razor’s work and limits the irritation that causes cuts, irritation, and breakouts. When I shave independently of showering, I tend to feel the blade a little more than I do after a shower.
My skin has never been what I would describe as ‘ideal’ but in hindsight many of the challenges I experienced when I was younger were self-inflicted. These were the results of poorly considered or ill-informed decisions about razors, shaving frequency, and post-shave maintenance. I switched to Gillette’s two-blade Sensor Excel a few years ago to great results and continue to use Acne.org’s facial cleanser while showering. The final product in my routine is Neutrogena’s Triple Protect Face Lotion which I apply after I’ve cleaned my face of any shaving cream. I don’t think any one product above deserves outsized credit for what I consider an important improvement in my skin health over the past decade. However, if I did need to recommend just one, I would go with the face lotion. It works both as a sunscreen and moisturizer which is critical for me given both the amount of time I spend outside as well as how my skin tends to get dry after a shower (2).
My guess is that the most important changes I’ve made that helped my skin were all related to touching my face. I used to sleep on my front or side, for example, but this would press the pillow against my face. After college, I taught myself to sleep on my back. I also started buzzing my hair very short (every three weeks) for a few years because I heard that longer hair retained more of the oil that eventually made it to my face. I shouldn’t forget that my diet improved a great deal in the past few years as I introduced a lot of raw or simply prepared vegetables into my meals.
Finally – and somewhat fittingly for the topic of this post – I changed my post-shower routine and stopped touching my face with a towel unless it was absolutely necessary. These days, I usually wrap three towels around myself (waist, chest, and over my head) and let myself drip-dry for a few minutes to prevent any needless towel irritation from rubbing, wiping, or patting.
Footnotes / there will be a story about eggs
1. TOA becoming TMI…
I originally had a note here with a more precise description of how I decide to take showers but decided it worked better as its own post.
Spoiler alert: I do shower at least every other day at minimum!
2. The answer is always… no.
I’ve been asked a number of times over the years whether I’ve recently come back from a vacation. This, I realize, is because I tend to tan a little bit during winter because I go outside to run, walk, or ride a bike far more than the average person does during the cold weather months.
