Most of us grew up hearing that skipping a shower is a hygiene no-no. But here’s a plot twist: it’s not always true. According to an expert, our obsession with daily lathering might be more about habit than health.

Dr. James Hamblin, a preventive medicine specialist and author, decided to challenge the norm by ditching traditional showering for five years. Before you cringe, though, know this: it wasn’t about never cleaning himself. Instead, he experimented with minimal routines and explored how our skin’s natural microbiome works.

Here’s the deal: your skin is teeming with microbes, much like your gut. These tiny organisms play a big role in keeping you healthy. Constantly scrubbing them away with soap and hot water can disrupt this delicate balance, potentially leading to issues like eczema or acne. Hamblin compares it to clear-cutting a forest—it’s not always the best idea.

So, how often should you shower? It’s not a one-size-fits-all answer. Hygiene, Hamblin explains, is about preventing disease—think handwashing after using the bathroom. But daily full-body showers? That’s more about personal preference than necessity.

Here are five key takeaways from Hamb