Spring is (hopefully) en route, which means you're probably coming to the annual realization that you can no longer hide beneath your cute beanie or giant sweater. As soon as the puffy coats go into retirement, skin and hair get their time in the sun — but that doesn't mean they're immediately happy about it. Sensitive, flaky skin and dry, brittle hair need to be nurtured back to their warm-weather states. And while there may be short-terms perks to exfoliating and cleansing like there's no tomorrow (such as temporarily brighter skin and bouncier hair), there are long-term downsides to a harsh beauty routine. Certain cleansing agents and scrubs can work a little too well. Enter even more dryness, dullness, and irritation — probably not the look you're going for.
What your skin and hair need (and deserve) is a little TLC. After all, they endure constant wear and tear from all those harsh detergents, dry shampoos, salt scrubs, topknots...you know the deal. By swapping out your tough cleansers for gentler, more soothing options, you'll see and feel the difference. Plus, when you #GoGentle, your hair will become easier to manage, too. That's why we've collaborated with Pantene to present the easiest ways treat yourself with the gentlest cleansing tips from head to toe.
1. Choose A No-Foam Face Cleanser
That foamy lather might look like it's really cleaning your skin, and it is, but it can also be too much of a good thing. Foam can strip skin of its natural oils, leaving it feeling tight and dry. (The word squeaky might come to mind — and nobody wants that.) Instead, wash with a milky or oil-based cleanser, which will remove the day's makeup and grime without taking skin's oils with it.
2. Opt For Micellar Technology
You know how great micellar water is for your face, whisking away dirt without stripping or drying out skin? Well, that same technology applies to your hair, as well. Enter Pantene Pro-V Micellar Gentle Cleansing Water Shampoo, which uses micelles (molecules that work on the surface, leaving what's inside the hair shaft intact) to gently lift dirt and residue off strands. It's the perfect swap for fine, fragile hair or anyone looking for a gentler alternative to traditional shampoos, which can be drying. Follow it up with the Pantene Pro-V Micellar Moisturizing Milk Conditioner, a lightweight formula that nourishes and strengthens hair with zero heaviness.
3. Skip The Soap
Still using that bar soap? Toss. It. Out. Traditional soaps, just like foams, may cleanse skin too enthusiastically, removing its moisturizing oils and leaving it dry and itchy. Opt for a creamy body wash instead that replenishes skin with hydrating ingredients, such as botanical oils.
4. Exfoliate Wisely
For gentle cleansing, skip the scrub. When you go overboard with your exfoliation — which can be tempting — you risk creating a cycle of drying skin out, which then leads to even more flakes to scrub away. Instead, look for a cleanser infused with alpha hydroxy acids. This group of chemical exfoliants dissolves dead skin cells without messing with the fresh ones beneath, giving you glowing skin without the usual irritation or redness.
5. Lower The Shower Temp
Look, nothing beats a hot shower-turned-steam room after a long day. But that hot water is doing nothing for your skin and hair. In fact, it's drying out both (hello, frizz). We get that nothing sounds less appealing than a lukewarm shower, but don't worry. Just lower the temperature a bit so it feels more warm than scalding.
6. Pat, Don't Rub
After cleansing, use a towel to pat your skin dry and blot your hair just until it's damp. Do not — we repeat, do not — rub. That may seem more efficient, but the friction from the towel can remove moisture from skin and create a frizz halo around your head. Those extra few seconds are worth not having to smooth down flyaways all day.
This post is sponsored by Pantene.
