We all love the feeling of getting squeaky clean, but how often do we really need to shower?
Well, as it turns out, not as often as you think.
Speaking to BuzzFeed, assistant professor of dermatology Dr Joshua Zeichner argued showering is “really more of a cultural phenomenon” than a hygiene necessity.
Boston dermatologist Dr Ranella Hirsch agreed, saying many of us are guilty of over-bathing, mostly “because of societal norms”.
According to both doctors, rinsing off too often could actually be doing us more harm than good.
They say over-showering can dry out and irritate skin, wash away good bacteria and, if the water’s too hot, even cause small cracks that put you at a higher risk of infection.
Babies are most at risk, with both doctors urging parents not to bathe babies and toddlers daily (no matter how many spills occur). This encourages early exposure to dirt and bacteria, which may help to prevent allergies and skin conditions such as eczema from developing later on.
While factors like climate and exercise will affect how often you’ll feel the need to shower, you can generally skip the daily ritual in favour of rinsing off every two to three days.
If three days sounds like way too long to wait, you can always wash the dirtiest parts of your bod (read: face, armpits, genitals and rear end) with a soapy washcloth or cleansing wipes in between. We love Lacura Cleaning Wipes and Natures Organics Australian Pure Cucumber & Vitamin E Cleansing Wipes, which are perfect for removing odour-causing bacteria, without the fuss.
And one last tip: always put on clean undergarments every day, as a study has shown we shed a LOT more dirt and oil in our clothes than we do in the shower!
If you do decide to wait between showers, you’ll want to make that rarer rinse count. Check out our five ways to have a better shower to make it less of a chore, and more of a luxury.
How often do you shower? Would you ever reduce how regularly you rinse?
