If you're like most people, you probably shower every day or, at least, every other day. But a growing number of people are rejecting the idea that you should lather up regularly, arguing that it's actually better for our skin to be a little dirty.
Kayleen Schaefer is one of them, writing in Tuesday's Lenny newsletter that it all started when she decided to try co-washing (cleansing conditioner that you use instead of shampoo). It made her hair look great, so she eventually stepped up her game, using a shower-free spray that promises to replenish "good" bacteria on your skin that's stripped by the bathing process, instead of sudsing up with soap. "After a week, my body felt as soft and smooth as it does on the best summer nights, and I swear I didn't stink," she wrote.
There are a growing number of products on the market that let you stretch time between showers—cleansing and deodorant wipes, shower-free shampoos, and hair fragrances. These naturally beg the question…how often should we be showering, anyway?
According to dermatologist David E. Bank, M.D., director of the Center for Dermatology in Mount Kisco, New York, it varies from person to person. "Depending on your activity level, you may need to shower daily, for instance if you have a labor-intensive job or if you exercise for over an hour every day," he says.
Don't fit the bill? You can get away with showering every other day or at least three times a week to stay clean.
Bank says there are perks to skipping the shower, since over-showering can disrupt your skin's moisture balance, leading to dry and flaky skin. "By showering every other day you are able to help maintain your skin's natural oils and make the skin softer and less irritated by hot showers," he says, adding that the oils in your skin can help protect it against harmful bacteria.
However, he warns that you can also go too far into no-shower territory, which comes with its own issues. Not only can it make you smellier than usual, it can cause acne flare-ups and bacterial and fungal infections, especially if you work out regularly.
While shower-free cleansing products can help you feel cleaner between showers, Bank says it's still important to lather up at least two or three times a week. Why? It helps remove excess oil buildup and dead skin cells, as well as bacteria and fungus that can lead to infections.
As for those products that promise to replenish your skin's good bacteria, Bank says you should save your money. "Our skin repopulates the good bacteria on its own almost instantaneously, so it's not really necessary for it to be replaced," he says.
So, it's probably best to follow this rule of thumb: Shower on days you work out, especially if you work up a sweat in the process. Don't usually get sweaty at the gym? Aim for every other day—your skin will thank you.
