How Often Should You Shower? A Doctor’s Surprising Take

How often do you really need to shower? Turns out, the answer might surprise you. While many of us grew up thinking daily showers are a must for good hygiene, a doctor’s experiment challenges that idea in a big way.

Dr. James Hamblin, a preventive medicine expert, decided to stop his traditional showering routine for five years. No, he didn’t turn into a walking version of a gym locker room. Instead, he found a balance that worked for him—and learned a lot about skin health in the process.

Hamblin’s experiment revealed that our obsession with cleanliness might be a bit over the top. He explained that while soap is useful for breaking down oils and dirt, much of the work is done by good old-fashioned water and scrubbing. Overwashing can actually mess with your skin’s natural microbiome, which plays a key role in keeping you healthy.

Your skin is home to trillions of microbes that interact with your body and the environment. Constantly stripping away the oils and microbes with soap and hot water can disrupt this balance, potentially leading to issues like eczema or acne. Hamblin compared it to clear-cutting a forest—sometimes, less is more.

So, what’s the takeaway? Hamblin suggests rethinking your showering habits based on personal needs rather than societal pressure. Here are five key points to consider:

Hygiene vs. Cleanliness: Washing your hands after using the bathroom is about hygiene—preventing the spread of germs. Showering, on the other hand, is more about feeling refreshed. You don’t need to lather up daily for health reasons.
Personal Preference: Some people feel great after a quick rinse, while others prefer a full pampering session. Both are valid—it’s about what works for you.
Social Influences: Marketing often shapes our ideas of cleanliness. Remember, you don’t need to buy into every product’s medical claims.
Skin Microbiome: Your skin has its own ecosystem. Overwashing can disrupt it, so consider going easy on the soap if your skin feels dry or irritated.
Cost and Simplicity: If you’re not picky about scents or textures, the cheapest soap will do the job just fine.

Hamblin’s journey reminds us that health isn’t one-size-fits-all. So, next time you reach for that loofah, ask yourself: Am I doing this for health—or just because it’s what I’ve always done?

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For more insights, check out Hamblin’s book Clean, The New Science of Skin or listen to CNN’s Chasing Life podcast.