Do you shower or bathe daily? If you do, you're not alone.
Approximately two-thirds of Americans shower daily. In Australia it's over 80%. But in China, about half of people report bathing only twice a week.
In the US, the daily shower tends to start around puberty and becomes lifelong. But have you ever stopped to ask yourself why?
Perhaps your answer is: "because it's healthier than showering less often." Think again. For many — perhaps most — the daily shower is more about habit and societal norms than health. Perhaps that's why the frequency of bathing or showering varies so much from country to country.
Are there reasons to shower every day?
Besides considering it healthier, people may choose to shower daily for a number of reasons, including:
- concerns about body odor
- help waking up
- a morning routine that may include working out.
Each of these has merit, especially considering that personal or work relationships can be jeopardized by complaints about body odor or personal hygiene. But what is considered acceptable in this regard varies from culture to culture. And some (perhaps a lot) of what we do when it comes to cleaning habits is influenced heavily by marketing. Ever notice that directions on shampoo bottles often say "lather, rinse, repeat"? There is no compelling reason to wash your hair twice with each shower, but it does sell more shampoo if everyone follows these directions.
When it comes to concerns about health, however, it's not at all clear that a daily shower accomplishes much. In fact, a daily shower may even be bad for your health.
What are the health impacts of showering (or bathing) every day?
Normal, healthy skin maintains a layer of oil and a balance of "good" bacteria and other microorganisms. Washing and scrubbing removes these, especially if the water is hot. As a result:
- Skin may becomedry, irritated, or itchy.
- Dry, cracked skin may allow bacteria and allergens to breach the barrier skin is supposed to provide, allowing skin infections and allergic reactions to occur.
- Antibacterial soaps can actually kill off normal bacteria. This upsets the balance of microorganisms on the skin and encourages the emergence of hardier, less friendly organisms that are more resistant to antibiotics.
- Our immune systems need a certain amount of stimulation by normal microorganisms, dirt, and other environmental exposures in order to create protective antibodies and "immune memory." This is one reason why some pediatricians and dermatologists recommend against daily baths for kids. Frequent baths or showers throughout a lifetime may reduce the ability of the immune system to do its job.
And there could be other reasons to lose your enthusiasm for the daily shower: the water with which we clean ourselves may contain salts, heavy metals, chlorine, fluoride, pesticides, and other chemicals. It's possible these may cause problems, too.
The case for showering less
Overcleaning your body is probably not a compelling health issue. Yes, you could be making your skin drier than it would be with less frequent showering. This is not a public health menace. However, daily showers do not improve your health, could cause skin problems or other health issues — and, importantly, they waste a lot of water. Also, the oils, perfumes, and other additives in shampoos, conditioners, and soaps may cause problems of their own, such as allergic reactions (not to mention their cost).
How often should you shower?
While there is no ideal frequency, experts suggest that showering several times per week is plenty for most people (unless you are grimy, sweaty, or have other reasons to shower more often). Short showers (lasting three or four minutes) with a focus on the armpits and groin may suffice.
If you're like me, it may be hard to imagine skipping the daily shower. But if you're doing it for your health, it may be a habit worth breaking.
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FAQs
While there is no ideal frequency, experts suggest that showering several times per week is plenty for most people (unless you are grimy, sweaty, or have other reasons to shower more often).
Is it necessary to take a shower every day? ›
Showering daily is not necessarily "unhealthy," but you may not need to. For many people, a full-body shower every other day or even every third day is enough. That said, just because you don't shower daily does not mean you want to skip out on personal care.
Is it healthy to go a day without showering? ›
If you feel better with a daily showering routine, go for it. If you would rather skip some days, that's OK, but never go more than two or three days without washing your body with soap.
Do daily showers have no real health benefit? ›
As per BBC report, experts have said that daily showers offer no proven health benefits. They have dismissed this practice as a socially accepted norm aimed at avoiding body odour.
Is not showering a bad habit? ›
Some people don't shower every day. While there's tons of conflicting advice about how often you should shower, this group might have it right. It may sound counterproductive, but a shower every day could be bad for your skin. Some dermatologists only recommend a shower every other day, or two to three times a week.
Why do some people not shower? ›
Some medical conditions can cause people to avoid showering regularly. For instance, people with depression or anxiety may struggle with daily activities such as showering due to a lack of motivation or low energy levels. Chronic pain and fatigue can also make it challenging to keep up with personal hygiene practices.
How often do Americans shower? ›
In the United States, most people bathe daily but, in other countries, many people bathe only 2-3 times per week or less. Many times it can come down to habit and ritual, as daily showers can help people feel more awake, avoid body odor, relax tight muscles or simply because that's what they've been taught to do.
How many days can a human go without showering? ›
Generally, she says "you should be showering, bathing or cleansing yourself every two to three days." Though, if you're working out or engaging in an activity where you are sweating a lot, you may have to shower more often. The biggest problem that may stem from not showering enough? The stink.
Will I smell if I don't shower for 3 days? ›
To literally no one's surprise, the risks of not bathing frequently enough are what you'd probably expect. According to Dr. Cook-Bolden, some of the most common side effects you'll experience include increased body odor, breakouts (like acne, boils, and abscesses), and flare-ups of skin conditions.
Is it gross to not shower for 3 days? ›
“It's all dependent on what you do. If you're active, you're going to want to shower at least once a day. If you're on a camping trip, for example, and you're not doing any really sweaty activities, you're probably fine to wait 2-3 days to have a shower.”
This pales in comparison to Colombia and Brazil, where close to 10 and 12 showers are taken each week, respectively. Meanwhile, people living in Japan, the UK, and China shower less frequently, coming in at around 5 showers a week. It wasn't always this way.
What happens to your body if you don't shower regularly? ›
If you don't wash your body, it makes it easier for germs that cause actual skin infections to flourish. If you didn't wash at all, dirt, sweat, dead skin cells and oil would start to accumulate, and infections or ongoing skin conditions can become more serious, more difficult to manage, and harder to undo.
Is it overrated to shower every day? ›
But while frequent washing of hands is key for stopping the spread of germs, according to most medics there is no inherent physical health benefit to the daily shower. In fact, it can even be bad for you by drying out your skin and undermining your immune system.
What do experts say about showering everyday? ›
Experts typically recommend showering several days a week. The decision is personal, but knowing your body and routine is key. Showering every day is not bad for you (yay!), and showering every other day or even a couple of times a week isn't either.
Is it dirty to not shower everyday? ›
There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Many doctors say a daily shower is fine for most people. (More than that could start to cause skin problems.) But for many people, two to three times a week is enough and may be even better to maintain good health.
Is it better to shower in the morning or at night? ›
Benefits to morning showers include feeling more alert in the morning, getting clean after a workout, and washing off any nighttime sweat or skin cell buildup. However, showering at night may be a better option for people with skin conditions or allergies, and it can help prepare the body for sleep.
How many days can you go without showering before you smell? ›
Generally, she says "you should be showering, bathing or cleansing yourself every two to three days." Though, if you're working out or engaging in an activity where you are sweating a lot, you may have to shower more often. The biggest problem that may stem from not showering enough? The stink.
Can you shower with just water? ›
Showering with water alone is perfectly fine for maintaining basic hygiene, and it's a common practice for many people. However, there are a few things to consider: Removal of Surface Dirt:Water helps to remove surface dirt, sweat, and oils from your skin. Rinsing with water can help you feel refreshed and clean.
How often should you use body wash? ›
Yes, you can use a body wash every day, especially if it contains nourishing ingredients that'll moisturise your skin and replenish any lost hydration. Do I Use Body Wash On My Entire Body? It's not necessary to use body wash on your entire body. You can lather up a little of the body wash and apply it.
