Do you really need to shower every day?

If you feel the need to shower daily, you’re certainly not alone: In one 2021 survey of more than 5,700 US adults, over 60 per cent of the respondents said that they showered at least once each day.

Yet dermatologists say that many people do not need, and may not want, to shower this frequently.

“There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to washing skin and hair,” said Dr Joyce Park, a dermatologist in Seattle. The ideal frequency depends on your skin and hair type, how much you sweat and how dirty you get, she said.

And, she added, “showering too frequently can definitely dry out your skin, worsening redness, itchiness and flaking, and triggering eczema flares.”

Some people benefit from lathering up every day. For instance, if you sweat a lot — whether from exercise, your job or your natural predisposition to perspiration — “it is important to shower to rinse away the sweat and buildup that can contribute to clogged pores and breakouts,” said Dr Marisa Garshick, a dermatologist based in New York City.

If you have oily hair, you may want to shampoo daily, too. Dry shampoo can help in a pinch, Garshick said, but “still remember to use a traditional shampoo to help eliminate buildup of product and excess oil,” which can clog pores and lead to scalp irritation and sensitivity.

People with dandruff may also want to shampoo once a day, said Dr Azadeh Shirazi, a dermatologist based in San Diego. Dandruff isn’t caused by dry skin, but instead by a yeastlike fungus that feeds on scalp oil and can inflame the scalp’s skin, causing it to flake off.

Shampooing daily can get rid of the fungi that cause the dandruff, she said.

Many others may be better off showering less frequently — or, at the very least, being thoughtful about how they shower.

For instance, if you have eczema or dry or sensitive skin, you might want to shower every other day. Soap and water can exacerbate dry skin, Park said, causing irritation and itchiness. And showering too frequently can dry the skin such that it cracks and allows in microorganisms, increasing the risk of a skin infection, Garshick added.

For these reasons, experts recommended taking showers instead of baths, since exposing the skin to hot, dirty or soapy water for long periods can be irritating. Garshick noted, however, that certain types of baths could be helpful for treating some conditions — such as sitz baths for hemorrhoids, oatmeal baths for eczema, or diluted bleach baths for eczema or skin infections.

If your hair or scalp is dry, you might limit shampooing to once or twice a week, Garshick added. Some people with curly or coiled hair might like to shampoo less frequently, too, she said.