Because I’ve had this conversation with numerous clients year after year, I will share this simple visual primer detailing advice from dermatologists about good bathing habits for hygiene and health.

Of particular note are the duration and temperature they recommend to keep skin healthy. These become especially important when the air is dry in winter.

I’ll add a recommendation to lotion up within 7 minutes of exiting the water. This helps your skin retain some of the moisture it absorbed and prevent the excessively dry itch you may have experienced post-bathing. Some folks interpret that feeling to mean they’re clean. Sure, but too clean since their skin no longer has what’s supposed to be there–natural oils and numerous beneficial protective bacteria–and will continue to lose moisture in the dry air.