How often you should shower is based on your health needs, what you do for work, your lifestyle, and your preferences. For example, if you're physically active or have a messy job, you might need to shower every day.
This article will help you figure out how often you should shower compared to how often most people in the United States shower or bathe. It also looks at what happens if you don't shower enough and how to protect your skin when you do shower.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/iStock-186218209-5a2575f2845b340036385c71.jpg "Skipping Your Daily Shower May Make Your Skin Healthier (1)")
How Often Should Adults Shower?
People in the United States shower a lot. According to Harvard Medical School, approximately 2/3 of Americans shower daily.
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.
On the days when you do not shower, use a clean washcloth to wipe yourself down. It will also help if you wash your faceevery night to remove dirt, makeup, and sunscreen—all of which can clog pores.
One of the most important personal hygiene steps you can take is washing your hands. Proper, frequent hand washing is key for keeping yourself and your loved ones safe from illness.
Who Needs to Shower Every Day?
Showering daily would be necessary if you get dirty, sweaty, or are exposed to allergens or dangerous chemicals at work or in your typical activities.
People who may want to take a shower every day include:
- Farm workers
- Animal rescue volunteers and staff
- Landscapers
- Gardeners
- Construction workers
- Funeral directors
- Athletes
- Fitness instructors
- Intense gym goers
Multiple showers a day is probably not necessary, though there might be times when you need to bathe more than once a day if you get dirtier than usual or are exposed to something like a harsh chemical more than once.
Your showering needs can also change throughout the year. For example, if you live in a region that is very hot in the summer, you might prefer to shower daily to clean off the sweat and stay cool.
After exercising or working up a sweat, shower and change into clean, dry clothes as soon as possible. Wearing sweaty, moist clothes can raise your risk of getting bacterial or fungal infections, such asjock itch.
Do Teens Need to Shower Daily?
A daily shower is ideal for teens who have hit puberty. They should also shower after swimming, playing sports, or when they’ve been sweating a lot. They also should wash their face daily, as excess oil and dirt can contribute to acne.
How Long Can You Go Without Showering?
How long you can go between showers depends on your day-to-day activities, how dirty or sweaty you get, and what types of allergens or chemicals you are exposed to.
What Happens If You Go Months Without Showering?
If don’t shower for a few days, you may develop body odor. Dead skin cells, sweat, and oil also tend to build up, which can clog pores, which can triggeracne breakoutsin people who are prone to them.
Going months without taking a shower or bathing can lead todermatitis neglecta(DN), a condition where brown patches of dead cells, dirt, sweat, and grime form on the skin. This condition tends to affect people who are unable to adequately clean their bodies because of a physical or mental health condition.
It can also develop after surgery when a patient is afraid to clean the area around the incision or finds it painful to do so.
DN can be treated by making sure the person has the support they need to wash the affected skin regularly.
What Happens If You Shower Too Much?
Showering too often can affect thebarrier function of the skin. Healthy skin has a natural layer of oil and bacteria that help keep it from drying out.
Excessive exposure to soap and water—especially hot water, may strip away the skin's protective layer, which can cause the skin to become dry, flaky, and itchy. This can be particularly problematic for people with skin conditions such aspsoriasisoreczema.
On the flip side, not showering enough can cause body odor, acne, and evenskin infections.
An Overview of Dermatitis Neglecta
Healthy Showering Tips
Whenever you take a shower, there are some steps you can take to protect your skin.
- Use warm, not hot, water. Hot water can strip the skin of its protective oils, likesebum.
- Keep it short. Five to 10 minutes is ideal for showering. If you stay in the water too long, it can dry out your skin.
- Use non-drying soap.Whether you prefer a bar or liquidbody cleanser, choose one labeledas moisturizing to help keep your skin hydrated.
- Use soap only on select areas of the body. Limit lathering to spots on your body that are prone to odor, like armpits, groin, buttocks, and feet.
- Be gentle. If you use a body scrub or loofah, do not scrub your skin too hard. When using a towel after your shower, pat your skin dry instead of rubbing it.
- Moisturize after showering.If yourskin tends to be dryor sensitive, slather your body with a fragrance-free moisturizing cream, body lotion, or oil after you get out of the shower while your skin is still damp.
- Keep poufs and loofahs clean. Damp sponges, loofahs, and shower poufs are breeding grounds for bacteria and mildew. Let them air dry outside the shower and replace or sanitize them in a dishwasher at least every other month.
- Change your towels. You should change out your towels for clean ones at least once a week. More importantly, allow towels to dry completely between uses, as dampness can breed bacteria. Spread towels out to dry on a towel bar rather than hanging them on a hook to speed up the process.
Summary
Each person's bathing needs will differ depending on various factors including the weather, their job, their environment, and hobbies. In general, showering every other day or every few days is enough for most people.
Keep in mind that showering twice a day or frequently taking hot or long showers can strip your skin of important oils. This can lead to dry, itchy skin. Skipping showers for a long time can also cause infections, acne, and dermatitis neglecta.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I shower if I have eczema?
Ideally, shower once a day for five to 10 minutes. This will add moisture to your skin. To lock it in, pat your skin gently with a towel, use medication on affected areas of your skin, and apply moisturizer to your entire body within the first few minutes of exiting the shower.
Learn More:How to Keep Skin Hydrated
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Harvard Medical School Health Publishing. Showering Daily - Is It Necessary.
American Academy of Dermatology Association. How To Control Oily Skin.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Handwashing: clean hands save lives.
Virginia Department of Health. Unknown Chemical Exposure.
National Library of Medicine. Jock itch.
Saha A, Seth J, Sharma A, Biswas D. Dermatitis neglecta -- a dirty dermatosis: report of three cases. Indian J Dermatol. 2015;60(2):185-187. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.152525
American Academy of Dermatology Association. 8 WAYS TO STOP BATHS AND SHOWERS FROM WORSENING YOUR PSORIASIS.
National Eczema Association. Eczema and bathing.
Herrero-Fernandez M, Montero-Vilchez T, Diaz-Calvillo P, Romera-Vilchez M, Buendia-Eisman A, Arias-Santiago S. Impact of Water Exposure and Temperature Changes on Skin Barrier Function.J Clin Med. 2022;11(2):298. doi:10.3390/jcm11020298
- University of Washington Medicine. This Is How Often You Should Clean Things, According to a Microbiologist.
Twumwaa H, Asumang B, Imoro ZA, Kpordze SW. TOOTHBRUSH AND TOWEL HANDLING AND THEIR MICROBIAL QUALITY: THE CASE OF STUDENTS OF UNIVERSITY FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES, NYANKPALA CAMPUS, GHANA.Afr J Infect Dis. 2020;15(1):41-46. doi:10.21010/ajid.v15i1.5
By Angela Palmer
Angela Palmer is a licensed esthetician specializing in acne treatment.
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To dive into this article, let's break down the main concepts and information covered:
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Frequency of Showering:
- Daily showering is a common practice in the United States (approximately 2/3 of Americans shower daily).
- However, the necessity of daily showers depends on individual health needs, work types, lifestyle, and preferences.
- For many, showering every other day or even every third day might suffice.
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Factors Determining Shower Frequency:
- Individuals with physically demanding jobs or those exposed to allergens or chemicals often may require daily showers.
- Teens post-puberty, especially after physical activities or sweating, benefit from daily showers.
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Potential Issues from Infrequent Showering:
- Skipping showers can lead to body odor, accumulation of dead skin cells, sweat, and oil that may cause acne.
- Prolonged lack of hygiene might result in dermatitis neglecta (DN), a condition with patches of accumulated dirt, sweat, and dead cells on the skin.
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Effects of Excessive Showering:
- Over-showering can compromise the skin's barrier function, leading to dryness, flakiness, and itchiness.
- Conversely, inadequate showering can cause body odor, acne, and skin infections.
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Hygiene Recommendations:
- Suggestions include using warm (not hot) water, limiting shower duration (5-10 minutes), using non-drying soaps, and moisturizing after showering.
- Specific hygiene tips involve handwashing, cleaning towels, and using appropriate skincare products.
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Personal Considerations:
- The frequency of showering can vary based on weather, job, environment, and hobbies.
- Extreme temperatures or activities may necessitate adjustments in shower frequency.
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Special Cases:
- Eczema patients may benefit from daily short showers to retain moisture in the skin.
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Sources Cited:
- The article references several reputable sources such as Harvard Medical School, the American Academy of Dermatology Association, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to support its claims.
Each point is substantiated by scientific data and reputable sources, emphasizing the importance of hygiene, its impact on skin health, and the individualized nature of showering frequency.
If you have specific questions or need more detailed information on any of these aspects, feel free to ask!
