Trends are complicated. Between celebrities swearing by their secrets, green-washed health companies, and science, it is hard to know what is true on social media.
Recently, actor Jake Gyllenhaal said in an interview to Vanity Fair that not showering is better for your skin, and not necessary because our skin "self-cleans."
Sorry Jake, but the self-cleaning thing is just not true. When looking into the science behind this new celebrity trend, which includes Ashton Kutcher and Kristen Bell, it turns out to be an area of controversy among dermatologists.
"The whole point of showering is to clean our skin from dead skin cells, debris and odors," say dermatologists from Metrolina Dermatology. Each person has individual skin and lifestyles that create different amounts of debris and odors, therefore your shower schedule is an individual decision.
It is hard for dermatologists to agree on what is the magic number for showers per week, but this is what the science says.
To Shower Or Not To Shower
The controversy comes from different people having different outcomes depending on how often they shower, and the fact that dermatologists aren't giving an actual number doesn't help the debate.
According to Metrolina Dermatology, the number of showers depends on a persons activity, occupation and natural body order.
People who work in odorous environments, such as kitchens or gyms, need to shower every day. One thing that dermatologists can agree on, is folks who exercise do need to shower after. The amount of showers you take directly relates to the amount of physical activity you do.
If you only workout 2-3 times a week and work at a desk all day, maybe showering every day really isn't necessary. For folks who are more active, it is important to remove debris and odors from sweating especially in sensitive areas.
It could also depend on the season, in the winter showering every day may dry out your skin more if you aren't sweating often. Whereas in the summer months people tend to be more active and sweat more from the heat.
Folks who deal with special skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis likely cannot shower every day to avoid flair-ups, this is directly related to the weather as well, dermatologists say.
And for the folks out there who struggle with body odor, it's okay you aren't alone. Scientists have confirmed that body odor reveals a lot about our health, including information about diet and health. Showering might not be the all-encompassing answer to addressing body odor, it is possibly a larger question of health (don't be scared, it isn't necessarily a bad thing!).
The answer, for now, seems to be to shower as often as you need to for your lifestyle. Although, there are things we can do in the shower and after for helping our skin be healthier no matter how often we do it.
Related: Installing A Shower Filter Is A Smart First Step In Creating A Skincare Routine
Shower Do's & Don'ts
People who have had bad experiences with their skin and credit it to showering every day, aren't wrong, but they may be making other skincare mistakes as well.
Here are some do's and don'ts to incorporate into your shower routine, no matter how often you chose to do it.
Don't s
- People who are having bad reactions on their skin from showering every day, are very likely using the wrong products. Don't use harsh soaps that strip away natural bacteria.
- Don't use 2 in 1shampoo, just use shampoo and then conditioner separately to optimize cleanliness and hydration.
- Don't take really long showers or baths, this deteriorates the natural oils in your skin, according to dermatologists. Keep it to about 10 minutes, and don't use super-hot water. Hot water dries out your skin.
- Don't rub your skin dry, Do pat your skin dry
- Don't use the same towel over and over again, this is where bacteria can build up. If you have an open cut, it can cause an infection.
Do's
- Do take care of your skin after shaving. This could involve exfoliating to avoid ingrown hairs and moisturizing.
- Do moisturize your body and face after the shower
- Do Limit exfoliation to once a week, to not disturb your natural skin growth.
- Do lather soap in the armpit and groin area, Don't lather your entire body with soap every day to avoid drying it up, recommend dermatologists.
Find a skin shower and hygiene routine that works for your body. If you are sweaty and smelly, take a shower and don't overthink it. If you aren't experiencing these natural human features, you can decide if showering is the right idea for you at this moment. Knowing how to take care of your skin is more than just taking a shower, but how you are being intentional about it with your lifestyle.
Next: 10 Common Skin Concerns (& Which Skin-Loving Ingredients Are Lifesavers)
