Does your daily skincare routine include a shower? If it does, you’re not alone. Over 60% of the respondents In a 2021 survey of more than 5,700 US adults said they showered at least once a day.
But that may be more than what you need.
When it comes to washing skin and hair, there’s no standard approach that dermatologists endorse. Your ideal frequency will depend on your skin and hair type, as well as how much you sweat and how dirty you get.
Showering too often probably sounds harmless, but it can dry out your skin, which can worsen existing redness, itchiness, and flaking, and even trigger eczema flareups.
What follows are some basic guidelines to help you be more thoughtful about how you’re showering.
Reasons to shower daily
Some people benefit from showering on a daily basis. For instance, if you sweat a lot – whether from your natural disposition, your work, or from exercise – showering is necessary for rinsing away that sweat and the buildup that can clog pores and trigger breakouts.
It’s also a good idea to shower every day if you have oily hair. Dry shampoo can help in a pinch, but it’s not as effective as traditional shampoo is at clearing out product and excess oil, which can clog pores and lead to scalp sensitivity and irritation.
You’re also going to want shampoo on a daily basis if you have dandruff, which is caused by a yeast-like fungus that feeds on scalp oil, inflaming your skin and causing it to flake off. Shampooing once a day can get rid of the fungus.
Reasons to do it less often
Many people, though, may be better off showering less frequently.
An every-other-day basis could bring you some relief if you have eczema or dry or sensitive skin. That’s because soap and water can exacerbate dry skin and lead to irritation and itchiness. Showering too often can dry out the skin to the extent that it cracks and becomes vulnerable to microorganisms.
This is also why dermatologists, with a few exceptions, recommend taking showers instead of baths. Exposing skin to hot, soapy, or dirty water for extended periods can be irritating.
If you feel like your hair or scalp is always dry, cut down on the shampooing to once or twice a week. Less-frequent shampooing can also be helpful if you have curly or coiled hair.
If you have eczema or dry or sensitive skin and you just don’t feel clean without a shower every day, keep your showers short and lukewarm. And consider only using soap on your groin, armpits, hands, feet, and the parts of your body that are visibly dirty.
Opting for a fragrance-free cleanser or bar soap that contains moisturizing ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid should also help minimize overall skin dryness.
And when you dry off after your shower, pat your skin dry rather than rub it raw. You want to leave your skin a little damp. That’s the point when you reach for a moisturizer and apply it from head to toe.
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