A Guide to How Often We Should Shower

Taking a shower regularly is definitely a good habit. But there’s an important question: how often is too often to shower? And where do we draw the line so we don’t dry our skin too much or damage its natural protective layer?

5-Minute Crafts is going to tell you how often we should shower, how to do it right, and what happens if you do it too often or not enough.

How often should you shower?

There is no universal answer. Most people need to shower every day, and many others are okay with showering just 2-3 times a week. The frequency depends on your lifestyle. The people that spend a lot of time in the sun, working in the garden, running, or riding a bike, need to shower more often than those that spend most of their days in a cool room.

There are other factors to consider. If a person gets dirty often, plays sports, is allergic to something, or has oily skin, it’s a good idea to take a shower often. On the other hand, people with certain skin diseases shouldn’t shower excessively. In any case, we should wash our faces every evening to get rid of any dirt, makeup, or sunscreen that might clog our pores, and wash our hands regularly to be safe from infections.

Besides, bathing needs may change throughout the year. For the people that live in regions that are hot in the summer and cold in the winter, an everyday shower is necessary only when it’s hot.

Only shower twice a day if it’s necessary as it may actually be bad for your skin. Excessive exposure to soap and water, especially hot water, can throw off the skin’s natural balance making the skin dry, flaky, and itchy.

How to shower correctly?

In general, the more time you spend in the shower, the worse it is for your skin. Usually, 3-5 minutes is enough to wash your entire body. You don’t have to scrub every inch of your skin unless you got seriously dirty.

The temperature also matters. If the water is too hot, it will make the skin dry, remove the protective oils, and make it itchy, so the water should be warm, not hot.

Besides, it’s better to use gentle oils and cleansers. Look for those with labels like “gentle cleanser,” “for sensitive skin,” or “hypoallergenic.” Use soap only on select parts of the body, like the armpits, groin, buttocks, and feet.

Finally, after you leave the shower, pat yourself dry with a towel instead of rubbing your skin and put on a fragrance-free moisturizer. To achieve the best effect, apply it within 3 minutes after you get out, while the skin is still moist.

What happens if you shower too often or not often enough?

Our skin needs a layer of protective oils and good bacteria for protection. Showering too often will make it itchy, especially if the water is too hot. Dryness leads to irritation and skin cracking which creates a chance for bacteria to get into the cracks.

Washing too rarely also leads to skin problems. The natural oils we need to keep the skin healthy may build up on the skin surface. When mixed with dirt, they irritate the skin and cause itching and flaking, leading to eczema and acne. To top things off, the body might have an unpleasant smell.