How Often Do You Really Need to Shower, According to Science

Some days, you feel that transforming your bathroom into a spa is just what you need to wash all the stress away. Other days, you barely have a minute for a quick rinse off and opt for going without a shower for quite some time. In fact, skipping daily showers might be better for your skin because overwashing it can cause dryness. Of course, your shower habits entirely depend on your lifestyle and schedule, but there are some important factors you may want to consider.

We at Bright Side understand there’s no one size fits all when it comes to how often you should shower. And we did some research to find out what might affect your bathing habits. And don’t forget to check out the bonus we prepared for you at the end of the article.

1. Define your skin type.

If you have oily skin, lathering up may seem like a perfect way to make it look more matte, but it actually works the other way around. Harmful chemicals in the soap can dry out your skin, causing your oil glands to produce even more sebum, and your face will end up looking even more greasy. If your skin is sensitive and dry or you’re suffering from skin conditions such as psoriasis, more than one shower per day can trigger inflammation, causing your skin to itch even more. Some dermatologists even recommend showering two to three times a week to avoid skin irritation.

2. Take a closer look at your hair.

Jumping in the shower first thing in the morning and washing your hair with your favorite shampoo can make you feel clean and will help you style your hair easily. But shampooing every day may keep your hair from looking its best, especially if you have curly or textured hair. If you’re a curly-haired girl, washing your hair once a week is enough because your locks need sebum to keep the moisture in.

Only people with fine hair need to wash it every day because straight and thin hair gets coated by sebum easily and looks oily much faster.

3. Think of your workout schedule.

If you hit the gym often, you may want to hop into the shower more frequently. Showering right after a workout can help your muscles to recover more easily, prevent body acne, and even boost your immune system. The same is true for people who work outside or are exposed to strong chemicals on the job, they will obviously benefit from daily showers.

4. Adapt your shower habits with the seasons.

When it’s hot outside, it’s only natural that you feel the need to wash off the sweat every day or perhaps even twice a day. And cooler temperatures mean you sweat less, so you probably need to shower less frequently. Your skin might feel extra dry and sensitive in winter months, and showering daily may irritate it and lead to even more dryness.

Bonus: How to make your shower skin friendly.

Apart from how often you take a shower, the way you do it also affects your skin and your overall health.

• Turn the heat down. Water that’s too hot can strip your skin of the essential oils it needs to look naturally radiant.
• Opt for fragrance-free cleansers. Fragrances make your soap smell nice, but these chemicals can be potentially harmful to your skin.
• Keep it short. Dermatologists recommend limiting your showers to 10 minutes maximum.
• Skip the soap. You don’t necessarily need to lather up every time you take a shower. The only areas that need to be washed with soap are your face, private parts, and armpits.

How often do you take a shower? Do you agree that we don’t really need to shower every day?