My skin is pretty dry year-round, but we venture into desert-like dryness once the temperatures drop. As such, I apply body lotion religiously, but some days it takes me a little longer than others to use it up. I know I’m not the only person who can be a little distracted after a shower, especially on those work-from-home days. It’s morning showers on the team, so at least a few times a week, I find myself sitting in my bathrobe in a deep hole, checking email before it occurs to me that I should probably hydrate and maybe get dressed for the day. Looks like this is a bad habit I’ll be working hard to break in the new year. Why? Doctors recommend applying moisturizer within three minutes of showering.
What is the 3 minute shower rule?
Some water conservationists have proposed keeping showers to just three minutes to minimize waste, but that’s not the recommendation we’re addressing today. Instead, we’re digging into the three-minute shower rule that pops up on social media every now and then. If it hasn’t met your food yet (it will now), it’s an indication that moisturizing within three minutes of getting out of the shower is essential to skin health.
Do doctors recommend the 3-minute shower rule?
The three-minute shower rule isn’t just a passing TikTok trend. On the contrary, all the doctors I spoke to agreed that it has merit. “Applying moisturizer within three minutes of showering on damp, not wet, skin is really beneficial,” says Dr. Asim Nazir Cheema, a board-certified internist and cardiologist in Ontario, Canada.
And he is not alone. Dr. Eric Tepper, a board-certified family medicine physician in Sacramento, California, adds that using body lotion right away helps maintain hydration, and waiting until the skin has dried is preferable. “Moisturizer on wet skin is more effective at keeping skin hydrated,” he notes.
Why do doctors recommend the 3-minute shower rule?
Dry, itchy skin can be uncomfortable and unsightly, but that’s not all. According to Dr. Michael Chichak, an Ohio-based general practitioner, dry skin also makes you prone to skin damage. Fortunately, applying moisturizer at the right time can help.
To understand why, Dr. Samantha Schneider, a board-certified dermatologist in Carson City, Nevada, explains: “After showering, our skin loses moisture. Skin rehydration is most successful when moisturizer is applied immediately after showering, while skin is still damp. Humectants found in many moisturizers work by drawing water from the skin and holding more water from the shower into the skin, resulting in better, deeper hydration.”
Cheema adds that moist skin is more permeable, which allows moisturizers to “trap water better in the outer layer.” This means less dryness and a reduced potential for all the adverse side effects caused by a lack of moisture.
What body lotions are best for the 3-minute shower rule?
Yahoo Senior Beauty Editor Jennifer Romolini has made moisturizing a full-time job in her quest to find the best body lotions. Here are her top picks, all under $20.
Amazon
“This giant tub of silky cream was the most impressive product I found for quickly hydrating dry skin,” said Romolini. After testing countless formulas, this one ticked all the boxes. “It’s light and cool to the touch, but it also manages to really sink in and soften the dry skin on my arms and legs without leaving a trace of residue. The best part is the quick-absorbing whipped texture that makes me look forward to moisturizing after the shower and before bed.”
$10 on Amazon
Amazon
There’s a reason Romolini, along with countless dermatologists, recommends Vanicream: It works. It’s especially great for people with sensitive skin because it won’t clog your pores and doesn’t contain common irritants like dyes, fragrances, botanicals or even essential oils. “Compared to other moisturizers for sensitive skin with more sophisticated ingredients and packaging, Vanicream may not seem just as glamorous, but when your skin is tight and irritated, it saves the day,” Romolini wrote.
$14 on Amazon
Amazon
People looking to smooth and tighten should absolutely give this drugstore gem a try before splashing out a ton of cash on high-end products. Romolini put it to the test over the summer and noticed a significant improvement in the roughness of the skin on her upper arms and knees with regular use.
“There are a lot of more expensive brands out there that promise to soothe and smooth the texture of aging skin, but in my experience—and for my money—this is a real winner,” she said.
$11 on Amazon
Amazon
Perfumed lotion is not for everyone, but if you like something extra when you apply your body cream, then this Native formula is the best solution. It’s made with plant-based moisturizers and is dermatologist-tested to be suitable for all skin types.
There are currently 10 varieties to choose from, and according to Romolini, “the flavors are lush but not overpowering, and the cream itself is satiny and leaves skin with a velvety finish.”
$14 on Amazon