We Asked Derms How Often You Should Shower—Here's What They Said
Thanks to things like the Internet, smartphones, and Instapots, life these days is all about efficiency and convenience. So as lovely as a long, luxurious shower can be before bedtime, sometimes we're just not in the mood to deal with all the soaping and scrubbing and shaving. (Not to even mention washing and drying your hair—a whole other beast in itself.) But we're not animals! Even though there are certainly ways to deal with the whole scent issue, showering is also beneficial for your skin health. But exactly how often should you shower?
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Well, that depends on a few factors. "Some people need to shower once or twice a day after working up a sweat, while others who aren't as active, may only need to shower several times a week," says Michele Green, MD, New York City–based cosmetic dermatologist. "While the importance of personal hygiene can't be understated, everyone's skin is different. Depending on the season, your skin, and your preferences, the frequency of your showers may vary throughout the year." Thanks to cold weather and indoor heating, winter skin is going to be drier than usual. In the summer months, you may get more oily due to humidity, sweat, and sunscreen.
Regardless, don't go more than a couple of days without a shower—every other day is about the longest you'll want to wait.
"Aside from odor, you'll need to be concerned about a host of different skin issues like acne, irritation, flare-ups of existing skin conditions, and even yeast or fungal infections," warns Dr. Green. "Acne forms when there is a blockage and inflammation of sebaceous follicles, not only on the face, but on the chest and back as well. Shower too little and there's greater potential for acne-causing bacteria to become trapped inside the pores." To clear up any body skin breakouts, you'll want to shower more often than you are now, using a loofah to remove the buildup of dead skin cells and keep the pores clear. Dr. Green adds that it's important to rinse the loofah and hang it to dry between uses to prevent the spread of bacteria.
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On the flip side, if you're someone who showers more than once a day, your skin is going to need some extra TLC. "Those who work out consistently should probably shower afterwards, which if done properly, isn't harmful to the skin, but may require a change in habits," explains Lisa Chipps, MD, Los Angeles–based dermatologist. "For healthy skin, it's best to keep showers quick and lukewarm. While long, hot showers may feel great, they can break down the skin's natural barrier and lead to dry and irritated skin."
Experts recommend sticking to gentle cleansers and shying away from exfoliative body cleansers so you maintain the pH balance and don't strip the skin of natural oils. "After bathing, blot (don't scrub) your skin dry and apply a gentle moisturizer to any areas that are prone to dry skin," Dr. Chipps adds. So whether you're showering every day or every other day (please don't go longer than that), the important thing is that you're nourishing your skin in the process.
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