How Often Should You Shower? 3 Ways To Decide, Derms Say

Let's talk shower habits. There's a spectrum of sorts: There are your hop-in, hop-out speed washers, and there are the people who transform the shower into a full-on spa experience (or concert venue, perhaps). No matter which camp you fall into, your shower experience is your own.

OK, so there might not be one universal answer—derms tend to have different opinions on the topic (after all, personal grooming choices are, well, personal). According to board-certified dermatologist Loretta Ciraldo, M.D., FAAD, sometimes a daily shower is completely necessary, even twice a day for some. And board-certified dermatologist Zenovia Gabriel, M.D., FAAD, mentions that a simple rinse-off under the spray might suffice; even though you might hop into the shower frequently, you might not need to do a full scrub-down each time. 

If it were a simple equation, perhaps it'd be this: Warmer weather means more sweat, which may require more cleansing. Cooler temperatures mean less sweat, which may necessitate fewer washes. That said, tailor your shower frequency to the seasons. You may already change up your skin care habits seasonally (perhaps you apply a thick night cream in the winter to prevent dryness, opting for a light, oil-free moisturizer once summer rolls around), and the same goes for cleansing your body.

As with weather, if you find yourself hitting the gym (or opting for an at-home sweat session), you'll want to take more frequent showers. Take your sweat level into account: Are you dripping post-HIIT workout? Or do your cheeks simply take on a rosy glow after a morning yoga flow? If you fall into the former, you might want to wash daily, maybe every other day if you really want to push it.  

Skin type is a little tricky to navigate, as there are other factors that come into play (namely, water temperature, shower length, and types of soap). But you may need to shower more or less, depending on the skin you have: If you're facing some extremely dry skin, Gabriel says you can skip cleanser and just rinse with water (you'll still want to use soap on sweatier places, however, like the underarm and groin area). Using soap only two to three times a week on the skin's surface can avoid drying it further and causing inflammation, she tells us about choosing body cleansers.

Even if you have super-dry or eczema-prone skin, you'll still want to hop under the running water—just make sure it's not too hot. Hot water can dry the skin further; rather, "take lengthy showers in tepid water, staying under the water until your fingertips get wrinkled," says Ciraldo. "This is a sign that you have tremendously rehydrated your skin." Then just pat dry and apply an occlusive agent to seal in the moisture—you should be good to go. 

On the other hand, if you have oily skin and are prone to body breakouts (especially on your chest and back), you may need to cleanse quite frequently. "Take a cool shower after working out or after any other activities where you may be sweating," says Ciraldo. 

Ultimately, it's up to you. A morning or evening rinse entirely depends on your lifestyle habits. "It is a total personal preference and can shift from day to day depending on activities," Ciraldo says. (You may even do both, depending on your environment, skin type, and activity level.)

But if we had to choose a camp, it's the nighttime. Showering at the end of the day can help wash off bacteria and sweat—both of which can lead to clogged pores and oxidative stress.