Our skin is home to around 1.5 trillion microbes. But not all of them are bad for us, some are even important for our health. That’s why we don’t need to wash some of our body parts with soap, and for others, we shouldn’t skip them and we need to wash them thoroughly every day.
We at Bright Side realize how important it is to devote the proper attention to some parts of our body. That’s why we dug up some tips on how to treat them the right way. And if you want to prevent the appearance of acne on your body, don’t miss the bonus at the end of the article.
1. Feet
Feet are one of the body parts that should be washed with soap. However, many of us neglect this part, thinking that it will get cleaned just from the soap and water that’s sliding down our body. But, in these areas, the fungus that causes athlete’s foot is common, especially if you wear sandals or flip-flops, don’t wear socks, or if you just sweat vigorously.
That’s why, according to a dermatologist, it’s important to not only wash your feet with soap but to scrub them with a pumice stone daily.
The space between your toes should be thoroughly cleaned as well, no matter what kind of shoes or socks you wear. To avoid bacteria and germs from spreading, you need to wash your toes with soap and water and dry them carefully with a towel afterward.
2. Back of the neck
This part of your body can often warm and moist, especially if you have long hair or exercise regularly. Favorable conditions like these can be enticing for body mites and bacteria. That’s why washing the back of your neck daily with soap and an exfoliating bath sponge or a wet washcloth can be crucial for preventing the spread of bacteria.
3. Eyes
Washing your eyes with soap is not a good idea because it can be damaging to the cornea and sclera of the eyes. But that’s why the eyes have lacrimal glands (the glands that produce tears) which are responsible for cleansing and protecting them from debris and other irritants.
A safe way to clean the eyelids and eyelashes is by using unscented baby shampoo. Mix about half a teaspoon of shampoo in a cup of warm water and dip a soft washcloth in the mixture. Gently rub your eyelids (back and forth) with the washcloth and rinse them with water afterward.
4. Groin
According to a dermatologist, the groin should be washed thoroughly every day. This part of your body has folds and creases that can harbor harmful bacteria which can lead to ingrown hairs, infections, and funky odors. The groin is also one of the most sensitive areas on your body, and the most effective way to clean it is by using gentle soap and a washcloth.
5. Under the fingernails
Different bacteria can colonize in the area under your nails, and you won’t be able to eliminate all of it by just washing your hands. According to doctors, soaking a cotton swab with warm, soapy water and swabbing it under your nails will remove any bacteria and debris that are invisible to the naked eye.
6. Arms and legs
Unless they are dirty, your arms and legs don’t need to be washed thoroughly every day. The skin on these body parts generally doesn’t produce a lot of oil, so cleaning them with soap every day will leave your skin dry and lifeless.
Bonus: Soaping your body before shampooing your hair.
Using a conditioner for your hair can lead to skin irritation and the appearance of acne on your body. To avoid this and remove any leftover conditioner and shampoo from your skin, Dr. Day recommends the following regimen: “Shampoo, rinse it off, apply conditioner, wash your body, and then rinse off the conditioner and body wash at the same time.”
