A woman looks down at her leg while touching her knee and thigh.

Do you suffer from dry, itchy skin
after showering?

Read NIVEA's advice on who is more likely to get itchy skin after showering, how you can care for your irritated skin, and how to prevent it from coming back.

In short:

Dry, itchy skin After Showering?
6 Causes of Irritated Skin After a Shower
How to Get Rid of Itchy Skin After Your Shower?
NIVEA Rich Nourishing Body Lotion
How to Prevent Itchy Skin
NIVEA Creme Care Shower Cream

Dry, itchy skin
AFTER SHOWERING?

Whether you're starting your day with a refreshing shower or unwinding after a long day, the last thing you want after stepping out is itchy, irritated skin. Let's look at what can cause itchy skin after a shower and how you can help prevent it in future.

Dry skin after shower

6 Causes of irritated skin
AFTER A SHOWER

There are quite a few reasons for those annoying itchy feelings you might notice on your skin. Let's get under the skin of what's making you feel so itchy after your shower.

1. Hot showers

Many of us love a hot, steamy shower and there is evidence that it can relieve pain and stress. But hot water strips away the natural oils in your skin. These natural oils help protect your skin and keep it hydrated and supple; once they are washed away, your skin becomes more prone to dry, itchy skin that can often look red.

2. Showering too often

Showering too often is not only bad for the environment, it can also leave your skin dry and itchy. If you feel you need to shower every day, try having a cooler or cold shower every other day so your skin doesn't dry out too much. Cold showers are known to temporarily tighten pores and help reduce skin redness.

3. Dry skin or Xerosis

You're more likely to get itchy skin if your skin is already dry when you step into the shower and you use harsh soaps that strip away natural oils. If you keep following this pattern and don't take steps to hydrate your skin in and after the shower, it can even lead to a cracked and bleeding skin barrier over time.

A woman's hand applies a swipe of vitamin body serum to her knee.

4. Reaction to skincare products

Irritated skin can also be a reaction to certain ingredients in your skincare products. If you have sensitive skin, it’s a good idea to choose products with a shorter ingredient list to reduce the chance of your skin getting aggravated.

5. Reaction to laundry products

Sometimes the shower itself isn’t the reason for your itchy skin – it can actually be your towel once you step out. You might be reacting to a fabric conditioner or detergent that has strong fragrance. Instead, try switching to a non-bio, sensitive detergent and see if your skin feels less itchy.

6. Medical conditions

Certain medical conditions can cause very intense itching when your skin comes into contact with water. Aquagenic pruritus, for example, activates your nervous system when water touches your skin. This is rare, but if you feel your itchy skin after a shower might be due to a condition like this, do talk to your doctor for medical advice.

How to get rid of
ITCHY SKIN AFTER YOUR SHOWER?

The areas most affected by itchiness after your shower are usually your legs and feet, because they stay in contact with water for longer. Here are some easy tips to help you beat the itch and go back to feeling refreshed and relaxed after your shower:

Don’t scratch – easier said than done, but try not to scratch the itchy areas as this can cause more irritation, and even scarring or small wounds.

Pat dry – rubbing your skin with a towel can strip away moisture and cause irritation. Instead, gently pat your skin dry, just like you would do for your face, and then apply a moisturiser.

Apply a deep moisturiser after your shower – to replace the natural oils your skin loses during cleansing, use a nourishing body moisturiser while your skin is still slightly damp. NIVEA Soft 300 ml, infused with Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E, is fast-absorbing and moisturises your whole body for everyday use.

Soothe Itchy and Dry Skin after a Shower

NIVEA Rich
Nourishing Body Lotion

You can soothe dry skin after showering with NIVEA Rich Nourishing Body Lotion, which offers 5-in-1 care. Enriched with Deep Moisture Serum, Almond Oil and Vitamin E, this non-greasy body lotion cares for your skin and leaves it feeling rejuvenated and smooth.

How to prevent
ITCHY SKIN

Once you’ve experienced the frustration of dry, irritated skin, you’ll probably want to know how to stop it from coming back the next time you step out of the shower. NIVEA’s top tips to help prevent itchy skin include:

Cooler and shorter showers – cooler showers help reduce the stripping of natural oils and can lower the chances of redness and irritation after showering.

Choose a gentle soap – invest in a gentle soap or body wash such as the NIVEA Creme Protect Shower Cream, enriched with Vitamins C, E and Natural Oils to help prevent your skin from drying out.

Avoid washcloths, rough sponges or scrubs – using these can have the same impact as scratching your skin. Instead, use your hands to apply your body wash.

Stay hydrated – drink plenty of water through the day so your body is well hydrated and your skin is less likely to dry out while you’re in the shower.

NIVEA Creme Care
SHOWER CREAM

NIVEA Creme Care Shower Cream is a caring, cleansing formula that instantly smooths and moisturises your skin while you’re in the shower. Perfect for every skin type, the cream is enriched with Natural Oils, Vitamin E and Vitamin C to help prevent your skin from drying out. Simply apply to wet skin, lather into a foam and rinse off for a long-lasting healthy skin feel.

Explore NIVEA Products