While there is no ideal frequency, experts suggest that showering several times per week is plenty for most people (unless you are grimy, sweaty, or have other reasons to shower more often). Short showers (lasting three or four minutes) with a focus on the armpits and groin may suffice.
“Ideally, I think people should shower at least every other day,” she says. “Most people, by day two or day three, are not clean. But it's a little bit personal.” In addition to those who tend toward dryness, people with delicate skin—like older folks—often do best showering every couple days.
Generally, bathing 2-3 times a week is considered sufficient for most people to maintain good hygiene without drying out their skin. However, some may need to bathe more frequently due to sweat, physical activity, or skin conditions, while others may find they can go longer between baths without any issues.
It also depends on your personal preference. If you feel better with a daily showering routine, go for it. If you would rather skip some days, that's OK, but never go more than two or three days without washing your body with soap.
Whether you lather up in the morning or at night, Cleveland Clinic dermatologist Shilpi Khetarpal, MD, recommends showering at least once a day. “You want to shower daily because we all come into contact with allergens, and we want to rinse those allergens off,” Dr. Khetarpal said.
Not showering frequently may help preserve the skin's natural oils and microbiome, potentially reducing the risk of skin irritation.
Many doctors say a daily shower is fine for most people. (More than that could start to cause skin problems.) But for many people, two to three times a week is enough and may be even better to maintain good health. It depends in part on your lifestyle.
For his new book, Clean: The New Science of Skin, physician James Hamblin didn't shower for five years. Soap is a relatively simple concoction; you're mostly paying for marketing and scent.
How Often to Wash Bed Sheets. Medical experts recommend washing your bed sheets once per week. This is seen as the standard, although the average person will typically wash them once every two weeks (which is still good).
Healthy skin has a natural layer of oil and bacteria that help keep it from drying out. On the flip side, not showering enough can cause body odor, acne, and even skin infections.
Key Body Parts to Wash Daily
Armpits: Washing under your arms daily helps prevent body odor. Feet: Regularly washing your feet helps prevent infections and reduces foot odor. Private Areas: Cleaning your genital area daily is important for preventing infections and maintaining personal hygiene.
"Approximately two-thirds of Americans shower daily. In Australia it's over 80%. But in China, about half of people report bathing only twice a week," according to Harvard Health Publishing. "The daily shower is more about habit and societal norms than health.
People avoid showering for a variety of different reasons. This could be because showers worsen a specific health condition. Or simply because it's hard to find the time. Mental health conditions like depression can lower someone's motivation to shower.
He lived in the village of Dezh Gah in Fars province. He did not bathe for over 60 years, from c. 1957–62 until shortly before his death in 2022, because he feared that soap and water might cause disease.
“Some adults who go longer than 3-4 days between showers run the risk of accumulating patches of dark, scaly skin, especially in oily areas, and an accumulation of 'bad' bacteria which can lead to fungal or bacterial infections,” adds Dr. Young.
You'll smell bad
This is certainly a key point for anyone with friends: if you stop washing, it's pretty likely that you'll start to smell bad. Even if you don't sweat excessively, strong body odor will doubtlessly develop and your refusal to shower will prevent you from eliminating it.
It is common in Britain to shower once or sometimes twice a day, the report states. For many, this has "become such a normal routine that it is socially and physically uncomfortable to wash any less often". Dale Southerton, Professor of Sociology of Consumption at the University of Bristol, is one of the co-authors.
You should aim to shower at least once a day, but this may vary depending on various factors like your lifestyle, climate, and personal preferences. While daily showers are common, they aren't always necessary for everyone.
According to Annie Chiu, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of The Derm Institute, there's a clear guidance on when to make the swap. “Generally, you should change your towels every three to four uses,” she says. “This helps prevent the buildup of bacteria and odors.”
A nighttime shower could help you sleep better
"A warm shower can help you relax, relieve tension, and potentially improve your sleep," Castilla says. "Counterintuitively, it helps cool the body by expanding the blood vessels in the skin.
If a person does not wash one or more areas of the body, dead skin cells may build up in patches of skin that are hyperpigmented, scaly, and rough. Symptoms may get worse the longer a person does not wash and more buildup occurs.