Why You May Want To Adjust Your Shower Routine If You're Over 40 (And How To Do It)

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Whatever your shower routine is, it's likely part of your daily ritual. Whether it's how you start your mornings or how you wind down in the evening, it's something that often happens on autopilot. And while your specific routine may have worked well for years, it may not always keep pace with how the body changes over time. Over 40 and feeling like your skin is feeling drier and more sensitive than it used to be? Then it may be time to switch up your shower routine.

If aging gracefully is a goal for you, it's crucial to adjust your skincare routine to cater to mature skin; this should include your shower routine. To help you get better insight into what adjustments might be needed, Women spoke exclusively with Dr. Aanand Geria, Board-Certified Dermatologist, Clinical Instructor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai, and founder of Geria Dermatology. 

As you age, not only does the outermost layer of your skin get thinner and thinner, but natural oil production also slows down. These changes make skin more vulnerable to dryness, irritation, and sensitivity. So, everyday shower habits you've never had to think twice about, such as scented body washes, frequent exfoliations, and long hot showers, can suddenly become more irritating and harmful over time. That's why our expert, Dr. Geria, suggests, "Women 40 years and older should take shorter, less hot showers, and wash with mild cleansers once daily. They should also avoid rough loofah sponges and limit exfoliation to once or twice a week."

While you're reassessing your shower routine, you should also consider your scalp care. In online forums and Reddit threads, women in their 40s and beyond frequently discuss concerns about scalp dryness and maintaining healthy hair as they age, just as much as they discuss skincare. Investing in various hair tools like a scalp massager to boost hair health, looking for signs that your shampoo and conditioner aren't doing their job, and swapping them out for products specifically designed for aging hair can be beneficial for hair health. But after 40, scalp health depends heavily on your washing habits and care routine. 

Asking our expert, board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Aanand Geria, about hair care beyond your 40s, one of the first things he suggests is reducing how often you wash your hair. "Less frequent washing of the scalp is ideal to avoid excessive dryness," he says, "[...] and condition every time. Occasional leave-in conditioner and hair masks may be needed for extra hydration." Washing your hair less can help avoid drying out your scalp and reduce breakage, while products like hydrating masks and leave-in treatments, such as the Living Proof Bond Complex Leave-In Treatment, can provide additional support.

For both your body and scalp, just avoid anything that can cause additional irritation or dryness beyond the natural changes that already occur with aging. Dr. Geria explains, "With age, hair and scalp also dry out to become fragile," and recommends limiting any excessive washing to prevent further breakage or hair loss. It's important to prioritize taking a gentler and more intentional approach to your shower routine to help your skin and scalp be as healthy as they can.