How often should you be showering?

“You can overwash and underwash the skin,” explains dermatologist Dr. Stefanie Williams, “although it’s easier to overwash, as there are fewer sebaceous glands on the body than on the face.” This is not necessarily the result of thrice-daily showers, but more how we wash and what we wash with. “People frequently come to my clinic with itchy, even flaky skin – they think they have a medical issue but it’s just the result of how they wash.”

As for how often, Dr. Williams recommends a moderate approach: “Once a day is very sensible and reasonable to keep you clean and the skin healthy. What really matters is your washing regimen, because that’s where the problems can start.” Here is her guide to achieving clean, comfortable skin.

“Especially for dry skin, as we tend to soak longer in a bath, which damages the skin’s lipid barrier, leading to the loss of more moisture. Plus, if you add products like bubble bath, these can irritate sensitive skin.”

“Ten minutes is enough – you want to clean the skin, not clean away the protective skin barrier.”

“The hotter the water, the more you wash away the skin’s surface layer of protective lipids – hot water or even steam alone can be very dehydrating. Have a comfortably warm bath, but not piping hot.”

“This is so important, as the labeling of body washes for ‘sensitive skin’ can be a very vague term. Steer clear of anything foamy or containing sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), as these can be drying and cause irritation. I’m also not a fan of too many essential oils, as they can be allergenic on some skins.”

“You can use something foaming on your feet and underarms if you need to, but for everywhere in between, use a gentle cream or gel cleanser. The skin on the body, especially your lower legs, can be very dry, so you don’t want to use a big foamy wash here. And no hand soaps (as opposed to cleansing bars), as these disturb the skin’s acid mantle and barrier function.”

“If you’ve already showered that day, just rinse your body off under the shower after exercising. Sweat is water-soluble, so you don’t need to use a harsh cleansing wash.”