What is the best shower gel for dry skin?

Your skin is powerful and keeps you protected. That’s why you should nourish it to keep it performing at its healthy best. Having a dry skin type means your skin may not be at its peak health. Luckily, by using a shower gel for dry skin, you can boost or lock in your skin’s hydration so that it feels and looks better in no time at all. Carry on reading to find out more about dry skin and what you can do to keep it healthy.

What is dry skin?

Dry skin is a skin type that can affect any part, or even your whole body and it can sometimes be very uncomfortable. Dry skin may be caused by a medical condition, or it could just be your skin type, which differs from person to person. Even if you usually have an oilier skin type, you might notice that you get dry skin from time to time. Try our Skin Type Finder to discover what type of skin you have.

Causes of dry skin

Here are some of the most common causes of dry skin (source): 

• Weather: You may notice that your skin gets dry during the winter months. This is caused by lower temperatures and humidity levels in the air. Sometimes, being outside in harsh wind can also cause dry skin. 
• Heat: Another reason you may experience dry skin in winter is because of indoor heating. Central heating, wood burning stoves and fireplaces all tend to reduce the amount of humidity in the air, which dries out your skin.
• Hot showers and baths: Very hot water removes more oil and moisture from your skin than lukewarm water, which is why soaking in a bath or taking a long hot shower can cause dehydrated, dry skin. 
• Soaps and shower gels: Many soaps and shower gels contain ingredients that can cause dry skin because they’re formulated to remove oil. That’s why you should use a specific body wash for dry skin.  
• Skin conditions: Certain skin conditions, like eczema (atopic dermatitis) or psoriasis can result in dry skin. 

Why your current shower gel may cause dry skin and irritation

Some shower gels contain ingredients like sulphates, colourants and soap, which can cause dry skin and irritation. Many ingredients in shower gels and body washes are designed to remove oil from your skin, which is why they may contribute to dry skin. That’s why we, at Sanex, formulate our range of shower gels with fewer, carefully selected ingredients that are kinder to skin. We also have a non-allergen mission where we update all our fragrances regularly to avoid, where possible, using fragrance allergens, which could potentially cause skin irritation.  

What helps dry skin? 

There are a few ways that you can care for your dry skin to leave it feeling comfortable and respected (source). 

• Use a body wash for dry skin: Skincare starts the second you step into the shower or a bath. Using a specific shower gel for dry skin can make all the difference. We have a range of these that can either boost your skin’s natural moisture and help to protect your skin from dryness. 
• Moisturise: Using a moisturiser immediately after you bath or shower and applying it throughout the day will help to provide a seal for your skin to keep water from escaping. 
• Warm not hot water: Long hot baths and showers strip oils from your skin, so it’s a better option to turn down the heat and limit your time washing.
• Add moisture to the air: Using a humidifier in your home can add moisture back into the air that may be taken out by central heating or fireplaces, especially in winter.

What shower gel should you use for dry skin? 

We believe in respecting skin to keep it healthy and well looked after. That’s why we have shower gel for dry skin that’s specifically formulated to help keep it feeling comfortable. If you’re looking for a body wash for dry skin, you could choose one of these products.

Sanex Zero% Dry Skin Shower Gel

This nourishing shower gel for dry skin is formulated with natural moisturisers and fewer chemical ingredients to help keep your skin hydrated, while keeping it healthy and balanced. It’s got a 99% biodegradable formula and contains 0% sulphates, 0% fragrances, 0% soap and 0% colourants. 

Sanex Expert Skin Health Moisturising Shower Gel

This is a moisturising shower gel for dry skin that gives your skin the hydration boost it needs. It also has an advanced formula that targets the bad bacteria on your skin, while nourishing the good. It’s dermatologically tested, contains 0% sulphates and respects your skin’s natural pH balance.

Sanex Expert Skin Health Pro Hydrate Shower Gel

This body wash for dry skin deeply hydrates while boosting your skin’s natural defences by targeting bad bacteria and nourishing the good, helping to make it more resistant to external aggressors.

*Does not contain any sulphate-based surfactants.

**Sanex updates all the fragrances regularly, avoiding, where possible, the use of fragrance allergens regulated under EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009.