From a strictly medical perspective, it is not necessary for most people to shower daily. However, the ideal showering frequency may depend on a person’s age, health, and occupation.
Showering cleans the skin and removes dead skin cells to help clear the pores and allow the skin cells to function. It washes away bacteria and other substances that could cause irritation and other skin problems.
However, the main reason people shower as much as they do is that it helps them meet social standards of cleanliness and personal appearance. Meeting these standards may help people feel more comfortable in their working and social environments and bodies.
In most parts of the United States, winters are colder and dryer, while summers are hotter and more humid. These changing environmental conditions may affect a person’s ideal showering frequency.
In the winter, cold temperatures and indoor heating can contribute to dry skin. Dermatologists may recommend that people change their bathing routines during the winter to protect themselves from dry skin.
The following techniques may help people reduce the likelihood of dry skin:
- reduce shower time to less than 5 minutes
- close the bathroom door to capture the steam and increase the humidity
- use warm water rather than hot water
- replace soap with gentle cleansers
- use the smallest amount of cleanser possible to clean the skin
- dry the skin gently after showering
- apply a moisturizer within 5 minutes of showering to trap moisture in the skin
A person’s bathing needs change throughout their life.
Babies
A 2022 systematic review suggests that delaying a newborn’s first bath for 24 hours after birth may reduce mortality and hypothermia compared to earlier bathing. Delaying the first bath for at least 6 hours after birth may also reduce the risk of hypothermia.
However, the review’s authors suggest that these findings involve low certainty evidence and that further research is necessary.
The American Academy of Dermatologists (AAD) suggests that people bathe babies two or three times a week, as long as they thoroughly clean the diaper area during each diaper change.
Instead of fully bathing their baby daily, people may prefer to gently wash key areas, such as the face, neck, hands, and diaper area, with a bowl of water and cotton wool.
Learn more about how often to wash a newborn.
Children
According to the AAD, daily bathing is safe for children ages 6 to 11 years, but they do not necessarily need to shower every day.
Teenagers
Once young people hit puberty, how often they need to shower may vary from person to person. The AAD suggests showering daily and washing the face twice a day.
Teenagers may also benefit from showering after strenuous sports events or other activities that involve sweating.
Older adults
The previously simple act of taking a shower may become more challenging for older adults. As people age, their skin may also become thinner and drier.
The AAD suggests that older adults may benefit from reducing the length of their showers to 5 to 10 minutes. Using warm water and gentle cleansers may also offer benefits.
Older adults who have difficulty bathing themselves can maintain their hygiene
The type of work that people do may affect how often they need to shower.
People who work at desk jobs and spend most of their time indoors may not have the same bathing needs as those who work with dangerous substances, animals, or jobs that cause higher levels of sweating.
People who work with corrosive materials, dangerous chemicals, disease agents, and radioactive materials
Horticulturalists, arborists, amateur gardeners, and anyone who spends a significant amount of time outdoors around a variety of plants may prefer to shower when coming indoors to limit their exposure to plant sap, pollens, and other potential allergens.
However, there is no scientific research that explores whether shower frequency at home varies depending on a person’s career and whether there are any benefits that link to changes in shower frequency.
There are no guidelines in research for the ideal showering frequency. The ideal amount may vary from person to person. Factors such as age, occupation, underlying skin conditions, and showering products can play a role.
The AAD suggests that using too many skin care products or products that do not work with a person’s skin type may lead to irritation.
They suggest that adults in their 20s and those in their 40s and 50s may benefit from cleansing their faces twice a day, but do not offer any guidelines for showering frequency.
People can speak with a healthcare professional if they have concerns about showering too much or too little. They may also benefit from speaking with a professional if showering seems to be affecting their skin, such as causing dryness.
A doctor may perform tests and analyses to diagnose whether someone has an underlying skin condition and recommend skin products or treatments that may improve the skin’s health.
The ideal showering frequency may depend on various factors, including a person’s age, occupation, skin type, and any skin conditions they may have.
Trying to determine how often to shower may depend on what makes a person feel good, clean, and fits with their schedule.
People can speak with a healthcare professional if they want further guidance on showering frequency, especially if they feel their showering negatively affects their skin.