Leah Berenson

Leah Berenson

June 20, 2024

How Often Do You Really Need To Shower?

Our skin is the largest organ in (or on) our bodies, which is important in maintaining overall health. As such, it’s vital to take good care of it. While a soothing warm shower after a long day is one of the greatest feelings, medical professionals warn that showering too often negatively impacts our skin. There’s a balance to be found, and it pertains to skin type.

Showering with Dry Skin

Black and white close up of a woman with dry skin.
Image Credit:designundfotoart | Pixabay

Although other factors should be considered, understanding your skin type is the best way to ensure you’re not showering too often. For example, if you have dry or oily skin showering every day won’t do your skin any favors. Due to some chemicals in soaps in body washes, dry skin can become increasingly dry the more it’s washed. Moreover, these chemicals are worse for dry and sensitive skin. As such, people with dry skin should shower 2-3 times a week.

Read More: Daily showers are purely ‘performative’ and have no real health benefit, experts insist

Showering with Oily Skin

close-up girl with hyperhidrosis on her face and excessive oily sheen, with enlarged pores and nevus. before and after treatment with botulinum toxin injections
Source: Shutterstock

Meanwhile, people with oily skin should bathe more often, at least once a day and after exercise. “We advise patients who deal with acne to shower and, in particular, wash their face daily or a couple of times a day. This can help keep breakouts at bay,” explains Dr. Sulewski.

Hair Type is also Important

The different colour and texture hair blond, brown, black straight and curly isolated on the white background
Source: Shutterstock

Skin type isn’t the only aspect of your body to consider when evaluating how often you should shower. Your hair type is another determining factor. For example, thin or fine hair gets greasy more quickly, requiring daily, or every other day, attention. Meanwhile, think or curly hair may only need to be washed a few times a week.

The Air Around Us

pollution from the exhaust of cars in the city in the winter. Smoke from cars on a cold winter day
Source: Shutterstock

Where you live is another factor to consider regarding how often to shower. For example, someone in the city will be more exposed to toxins like vehicle exhaust and should consider bathing more often. Alternatively, someone in the country will have more exposure to dust. Either way, these particles can become trapped in the skin and proper removal in the shower is essential. Products that detoxify and scrub are ideal. However, scrubbing the body shouldn’t be done more than 2-3 times a week as this can disrupt the body’s natural biome.

Read More: Why You Should Pee In The Shower

Consider Outdoor Temperatures

Close up of a thermometer.
Image Credit: geralt | Pixabay

Unsurprisingly, the weather also affects the frequency. You’re more likely to sweat if it’s hot out and should shower at least once a day to remove excess sweat. Conversely, every other day or a few times a week may be sufficient during the colder months.

Timing it After a Workout

A woman working out with a personal trainer. Black background.
Image Credit: Pixabay

Timing your shower also makes a difference for skin health. Showering is most effective after a workout as it soothes muscles and removes excess sweat. Therefore, if you work out daily, or at least a few times a week, scheduling your shower to follow a workout will create healthier and more balanced skin.

Wanting or Needing to be Clean

Close up of a dark-haired woman taking a shower.
Image Credit: Pexels | Pixabay

Although some skin types are sensitive to showering every day, some people can’t cope without a daily rinse. Luckily, a few options exist that are more gentle:

  • Shower with only water.
  • Use products free of chemicals or fragrance
  • Lower the temperature
  • Limit the time
  • Apply Moisturizer

Shower Solutions explained

Bars of soap wrapped natural brown paper. With leaves, pumice, and black stone in the background.
Image Credit: Heyerlein | Pixabay

Showering with only water removes excess dirt while preventing the skin’s overexposure to harsh or irritating chemicals. However, areas like armpits, feet, face, and private parts should be washed regularly with a mild cleanser as they harbor the most odor-causing bacteria.

Products made of natural or fewer ingredients will be the most gentle on the skin and body. Additionally, those without fragrances are more soothing and will likely help reduce inflammation.

To help the skin maintain balance and moisture, apply a heavy moisturizer and consider a barrier cream.

Lower and Limit

Digital clock, thermometer and  hygrometer for nursery or children room.
Source: Shutterstock

Showers that are too hot can damage the skin and worsen inflammation. Moreover, taking longer than 10 minutes can have similar and undesired effects. Therefore, it’s recommended to lower the temperature by a few degrees and limit the time spent in the shower. Additionally, conserving water and using more natural products is a great decision if you prefer an eco-friendly life.

While they may not create perfectly balanced skin some solutions will aid healthier skin, bringing you one step closer to healthier skin, hair, and biome.

Read More: Why Washing Dishes or Showering During a Thunderstorm Can Be Extremely Dangerous

Sources

  1. Is showering every day bad for you? And other hygiene questions. Nebraska Med
  2. How Often Should You Shower?Healthline Valencia Higuera January 29, 2019.
  3. Skin: How it works.MNT. Tim Newman. January 25, 2024.
  4. Showering daily — is it necessary?Harvard Health. Robert H. Shmerling. August 16, 2021.