“Hot, soapy water depletes the natural skin oils to the greatest degree,” Chasin says. Taking long, hot showers will “worsen the problem of dry skin by removing the skin’s protective oils.” But this doesn’t mean you have to shower in freezing water. “Tepid water is the most skin friendly temperature for cleansing,” Glass says.

Once you find the perfect lukewarm temperature, make sure you don’t stay in the shower for too long either. We’ve found is that it’s easier when you shower at night, rather than in the morning when you’re sleepy and chilly and all you want is to stand under scalding water for an hour.