Actors Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis were some of the first to kick off this conversation, with Ms Kunis telling Dax Shepard on an episode of Armchair Expert podcast that she doesn’t wash her body with soap every day.
Mr Kutcher added: “I wash my armpits and my crotch daily, and nothing else ever. I got a bar of Lever 2000 that just delivers every time. Nothing else.”
On the other side of the spectrum, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson posted to Twitter that he has three showers a day.
“Shower (cold) when I roll outta bed to get my day rollin’. Shower (warm) after my workout before work. Shower (hot) after I get home from work. Face wash, body wash, exfoliate and I sing (off-key) in the shower.”
What’s the science behind showers?
Dr Kajal Patel and Associate Professor Rosemary Nixon AM from the Skin Health Institute say that there is limited science on showering.
“Much of it is just subjective opinion!”
When asked how often is a healthy amount of showering, they said: “What is considered acceptable for showering varies from culture to culture and also varies between climates.
“[The] recommendation is for 1-2 minute showers in lukewarm water, focusing on armpits, groins and areas covered in dirt.¹
“This is dependent on employment – healthcare workers are recommended to wash after every shift, while in many jobs, workers are coated with dust, fibres, paint, sweat etc.”
While they say that some people believe that soap is not necessary², it depends on the degree of dirt and sweat on the person.
“Normal soaps are slightly irritating, as they are more alkaline compared to the [skin’s] pH [of about] 5.5,” explain Dr Patel and Associate Professor Nixon.
“People with past or present atopic dermatitis may have an impaired skin barrier and be more easily irritated. Thus, alternatives include soap-free bars or [soap-free] washes.
“Soaps aim to remove dirt and oil; however, natural oils protect the skin. Soap substitutes come in plastic bottles, which are much more harmful to the environment than long-lasting bar soap.”
Is there such thing as ‘over showering’?
According to Dr Patel and Associate Professor Nixon, the answer is yes.
“Overwashing removes the body’s natural oils which protect the skin. This can lead to disrupting the skin’s microbiome, [and] may result in dry, irritated or itchy skin. This is especially true with showers using hot water,” they say.
References:
- Moon L. How often should we shower? Much less often than you think. Sydney Morning Herald 2015. Available at: smh.com.au/lifestyle/beauty/how-often-should-we-shower-much-less-often-than-you-think-20150310-140487.html
- Fleming A. Soap dodger: meet the doctor who says we have been showering wrong. The Guardian2020. Available at: theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/jul/28/soap-dodger-meet-the-doctor-who-says-we-have-been-showering-wrong
