Are you showering too often? Here’s what the experts say
There’s nothing quite like having a nice hot (or cold) shower – but have you ever wondered if you’re washing too much or not enough?
Some people believe it’s a good idea to lather up daily, while others swear it should be more like once a week.
To help clarify the matter, we turned to the experts for answers.
How often should you shower?
According to dermatologist Dr Katherine Armour, from The Australasian College of Dermatologists, there’s no magic number when it comes to how often we should wash.
“It’s a question that pops up a lot, but the answer is that there’s not really a problem with showering too much,” Dr Armour says.
“There are schools of thought that anywhere between once a day or once a week is necessary to deal with the sweat and oil build-up on our skin.
“But it’s a very personal thing, and most people shower every day.”
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Should you ever shower more frequently?
Of course, there are specific scenarios where you may want to shower more frequently.
Dr Armour says for those of us who work out or play sports, it’s understandable that we may need to shower more regularly, as sweating can leave us sticky, uncomfortable and smelly.
The same goes for people who live in hot climates, and those who work more physical jobs.
Dr Armour says sometimes these cohorts of people will shower once or twice a day, which is OK too.
In these instances, it’s important to listen to your body and do what makes you feel clean and refreshed, she explains.
How to look after your skin when showering often
While washing regularly is fine, experts say you still need to care for your skin.
Dr Armour says anyone who showers daily will want to moisturise to avoid dry skin.
“When you shower, you actually decrease the moisture content in your skin,” she explains.
“If you moisturise after the shower, you actually lock in the water from bathing – this looks after your skin barrier.”
Naturopath Genevieve Mlotkowski says we also need to be aware that using certain products may affect the skin.
“Some products can contain sulphites and harsh chemicals, and you shouldn’t use them regularly,” Genevieve says.
“That goes for antibacterial products (and) hand sanitisers, which can strip the skin of good bacteria.”
Choosing the right products
Instead, Genevieve says to opt for natural products to help replenish the skin.
“Look for the ones with ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ on the label,” she suggests.
“You don’t have to pay a fortune; they sell them at the chemist or the supermarket.”
Additionally, paying attention to the water temperature when showering is essential.
Hot water can be tempting, especially during colder months, but it can also be harsh on the skin.
Our experts suggest using warm rather than hot water, as this will prevent excessive skin drying.
More on showering and looking after your skin:
- Why the ‘everything shower’ is the self-care trend you’ll love
- What happens when you don’t use soap?
- Why your skin barrier is the key to a healthy glow
- Is colostrum the nourishment your skincare routine needs?
