How Often Should You Shower?

Sometimes, there’s no question that you need to hit the showers. After a sweaty workout or an afternoon spreading mulch around your yard, for example, getting clean becomes a top priority.

But if you’ve been lounging on the couch all day, is it REALLY necessary to soap up? Can you just skip showering here and there?

That sounds like a question for dermatologist Shilpi Khetarpal, MD.

Factors behind shower frequency

Showing once a day is the general guideline that most people follow to stay fresh, says Dr. Khetarpal. But it’s not an iron-clad rule. There might also be days when you need multiple scrubbings or none at all.

The formula for when you hit the showers can be influenced by:

• Daily plans: If you’re heading to work, school or some sort of shindig, odds are, you want to look (and smell) your best.
• Activity level: There’s a reason showers typically follow a five-mile run, a day of cleaning the house or a physically grueling work shift.
• Weather: Hot days may require extra soaping. Cooler weather, on the other hand, may offer an opportunity to skip a day.
• Skin type: Underlying skin conditions or factors, like oiliness, dryness or sensitivity, can dictate whether you shower more or less often.
• Medical procedures: You may be asked to skip showering for a few days following a surgery to limit the risk of infection or irritation around incisions. Bandages may also need to remain dry.
• Environmental concerns: Conservation efforts or limited access to water may lead to skipping a shower here and there.

“A lot of different considerations can come into play,” notes Dr. Khetarapal. “There’s not just one ‘right’ answer. It really depends on the person and their situation.”

Reasons to shower regularly

Any of the following reasons offers a good excuse to step into the shower.

Manage body odor

Let’s be honest here: Sometimes, we get stinky.

That’s because sweat, natural oils and dead skin cells tend to accumulate on your skin during the day. That creates an environment for bacteria and fungi to thrive and produce an unpleasant aroma.

Areas like your armpits, feet and groin are particularly prone to developing a not-so-fresh fragrance. That’s because those places tend to stay warmer and have a higher concentration of sweat glands, which promote bacterial growth.

“Put all of that together and you’ve got a recipe for odors,” says Dr. Khetarpal. “Showering and removing that bacteria, sweat and dead skin cells can cut down on any smells.”

Limit infection and illness

Germs are everywhere in the world — and chances are, you bring home more than a few. Regularly scrubbing down with soap and water can wash away troublesome bacteria and viruses before they cause harm.

“This is the same reason why we talk about washing your hands frequently during the day,” says Dr. Khetarpal. “Cleaning your skin reduces the chance of bacteria leading to an infection.”

Promote skin health

The average adult is wrapped in about 22 square feet (2 square meters) of skin. That body covering encounters A LOT of icky stuff throughout the day, which is why it needs regular cleaning.

Scrub-a-dubbing can keep your skin healthy and limit issues like:

• Acne: Natural oils on your skin can accumulate and lead to an overgrowth of pimple-causing bacteria if you aren’t washing enough. Dirt and dead skin can also build up and clog pores all over your body.
• Dandruff: Yeast lives in the oil glands in our skin. Without regular scrubbing, that yeast can multiply and irritate your scalp (seborrheic dermatitis). The result? Those white dandruff flakes.
• Eczema flare-ups: Dry, itchy, red patches of eczema are more likely to flare when your skin isn’t clean.

Starting fresh

Your body sheds approximately 30,000 to 40,000 skin cells every minute. That adds up to about 50 million skin cells being replaced every day. Showering helps keep those dead skin cells from hanging around.

In addition, you probably apply products to your skin. Deodorant, for instance, or maybe makeup. A good scrubbing takes that off, too.

“You want a clean canvas, especially before you start reapplying anything,” says Dr. Khetarpal.

Routine

Showering fits nicely into the routines we create to start or end our day — and for good reason.

Jumping in the shower first thing in the morning gets your blood pumping, which can energize you like a cup of coffee as you wake up. (This is especially useful if you’re not a morning person.)

At night, a shower can be calming as you rinse off the day. The cooling effect when you get out of a shower helps prep your body for sleep, as it mimics the natural drop in body temperature that takes place when you snooze.

“Showering can tie into our circadian rhythm and really become an important part of our routines,” shares Dr. Khetarpal.

Plus, let’s not underestimate how a warm shower just feels good. That’s worth something, too.

Benefits of skipping a shower

While showering offers numerous benefits, it’s also possible to get too much of a good thing.

Showering too often may undermine your natural skin barrier by stripping your skin of moisture, which can lead to irritation or sensitivity. “It sounds almost counterintuitive,” says Dr. Khetarpal, “but showering can be drying.”

Skipping the occasional shower could allow your skin’s natural oils to rebalance to reinforce your skin’s microbiome. Signs you might want to give your skin a break include:

• Dryness
• Itchiness
• Irritation
• Scaling

“If you have what some people describe as ‘lizard skin,’ where your skin looks dry and cracked, you might want to take a look at your shower routine,” she recommends.

How often should children bathe?

Bathing recommendations vary depending on your child’s age. There’s wiggle room, of course, but here are some general guidelines:

• Babies, toddlers and little kids should spend some quality time in the tub two to three times per week. Their delicate skin doesn’t need daily cleansing. (And it’s OK to get out the bath toys more often if your child gets dirty or has a messy diaper situation.)
• Older kids ages 6 to 11 should hit the bath two or three times per week, at a minimum. More showers are in order when they get muddy, sweaty or stinky.
• Tweens and teens should shower daily. (A whiff of their newly stinky pits will probably clue you in when it’s time to step up their hygiene game.) They should also wash their face twice a day.

General showering guidelines

The way you shower can be just as important for your skin as how often you step under the water. Dr. Khetarpal offers these suggestions for quality scrubbing.

• Turn down the heat. Very hot water may feel good, especially on a chilly day, but it can also dry out your skin and make it itchy. “The water should be warm, but not too hot,” advises Dr. Khetarpal.
• Don’t linger. Try to keep your showers under five minutes to minimize the risk of drying out your skin. Longer showers can strip away natural oils that help maintain skin moisture.
• Target key areas. Unless you’ve been mud wrestling, you probably don’t need to soap your entire body every day. “Generally, the only areas you need to consistently wash are your face, armpits and groin area,” says Dr. Khetarpal.
• Hair care. You don’t necessarily need to wash your hair every time you shower. Typically, shampooing every other day will help keep your scalp healthy and hair happy. But you may need to lather up more often if your hair is oily, and less if it’s dry.
• Skip the scents. Fragrances added to soap can pull moisture out of the skin and cause irritation. Look for products with labels that say “gentle cleanser” or “for sensitive skin.”
• Gently dry off. Pat yourself dry with a towel. “If you rub, that friction can create dryness,” warns Dr. Khetarpal
• Moisturize. Using a fragrance-free moisturizer after a shower can trap water in your skin to keep it hydrated and maintain a healthy skin barrier.

“Showers are very important to keep you and your skin as healthy as possible,” reinforces Dr. Khetarpal.

That’s not to say you can’t skip a day here and there — but it’s best not to skip too many.