Are we lathering up too much, too little or just right?
This article is sponsored by Dove
There’s no denying the restorative power of a shower. Ever had a bad day and felt your worries (literally) wash away? Showers can help to boost your mood, help you feel relaxed and, of course, are an essential part of any routine to keep us clean and fresh.
But how much is too much? And is showering every day actually necessary? Read on to find out whether we really need to lather, rinse, repeat as often as we think we should, along with our top tips for looking after your skin in the shower with Dove.
Should you shower every day?
It turns out, the answer to this isn’t cut and dry, and washing habits vary quite a bit across the UK. According to a recent YouGov survey of British adults*, 49% of us wash once a day, whilst 24% favour every two days. On the other ends of the spectrum, 5% of us opt for twice a day whereas 4% leave it to once a week.
With the majority of us jumping in the shower every day, we asked an expert if it’s really needed. GP and dermatology specialist Dr Sonia Khorana says “We can be too obsessed with washing and smelling nice. The idea that we need to shower every day and scrub at our skin is wrong – it naturally exfoliates.”
Indeed, when we wash with soap, we disrupt the ecosystem of good bacteria and natural oils that helps keep our skin protected, which can lead to dryness, irritation and a damaged skin barrier. If you’ve ever had that tight feeling in your skin after showering, you’ll know exactly what we mean! That’s not to say soaps are bad, but rather that we should use them in sensible moderation and take measures to look after our skin in the shower (more on that below).
Before you start skipping your daily shower altogether though, there are times when it’s most likely needed, including if you:
• Work out, train or do sports every day
• Work in a job where you’re likely to get messy or dirty, such as gardening, decorating or looking after animals
• Live in, or travel to a hot climate
You also might simply like the fresh feeling that comes with showering every day. It’s all about listening to your body and learning what works for you and your lifestyle.
If daily showers give you a boost and your skin feels healthy and happy, then there’s no need to change your routine. But if you think it might not be needed one day, then why not try breaking the habit and instead use a clean wash cloth on any areas that need attention, such as your underarms, and follow up with a deodorant?
What happens if you don’t shower enough?
That being said, there are some risks to be aware of with not showering enough. The most obvious one being body odour which arises when sweat mixes with the bacteria on your body that normally gets cleaned off in the shower.
Washing too little can also cause a build-up of dead skin cells and dirt on your body which can block pores and potentially lead to skin issues such as acne or flare-ups of conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
Should you shower in the morning or evening?
Once you’ve decided how often to shower, you might be wondering if it makes a difference washing in the morning or evening. This is really down to personal preference.
Some people like to shower in the evening to wash away the dirt and grime of the day and help them relax before bed. Whereas others prefer a rinse in the morning to wake themselves up and feel refreshed for the day ahead. If it’s particularly hot weather or you get night sweats associated with the menopause, it can be helpful to shower in the morning to remove any sweat and body odour that’s built up overnight.
5 tips for looking after your skin in the shower?
No matter when or how often you shower, there are many ways to help keep your skin feeling its best. Here are our five top tips:
1. Avoid hot water
Although a nice hot shower is tempting (especially in the cold depths of winter), if the water is too hot, skin can become dehydrated and stripped of its natural oils. It’s best to turn the dial down to a lukewarm temperature, unless you’re a fan of cold showers!
2. Keep showers short
A longer shower means more chance of your natural oils being washed away, not to mention the amount of water going down the drain. It’s thought that every minute spent in the shower equates to around 12 litres of water.** So, in the name of the environment, it’s best to limit the amount of ‘everything showers’ you take and scale your regular rinses down to between five and 15 minutes instead.
3. Don’t scrub every inch of your body
Unless you’ve been in a situation, such as a sports match, where you might be covered in mud, it’s unlikely you’ll need to scrub away dirt from every part of your body. Instead, focus on areas where bacteria builds up most, such as your underarms, feet and groin area, and just give other areas of your body a light rinse.
4. Use clean towels
If your towels aren’t clean, then you’re only going to be putting bacteria back onto your body when you dry off. Try to wash them at least once a week and make sure they’re fully dry in between uses. Towels can get rougher and lose quality over time so, if you can afford to, aim to replace them once they feel past their best. If not, then use them to gently pat yourself dry rather than rubbing them on your skin and risking irritation.
5. Choose a gentle & moisturising body wash
It’s not just your showering technique that’s important, your choice of body wash can make a huge difference to how your skin feels. Remember, we want clean, not ‘squeaky clean’ which is a sure sign that the skin barrier has been overly stripped.
Looking for a recommendation? We love Dove’s Advanced Care body wash range. Their nourishing formulations are made with Dove’s unique MicroMoisture Technology which actively works to renew the skin’s moisture levels in the shower, leaving it feeling lotion-soft for up to 24 hours.
Shower your skin and delight your senses with our favourites from the collection:
Try: Dove Advanced Care Deeply Nourishing Body Wash
• Sizes: 225ml and 400ml
• Dermatologically-tested
• Gentle on the skin’s microbiome
If you’re a fan of Dove’s original Deeply Nourishing Body Wash, then why not upgrade to the Advanced Care formula to transform even the driest skin in just one shower? It’s infused with millions of tiny but powerful moisturising microdroplets that reach every inch to continuously renew your skin's natural moisture levels and nourish deeply for up to 24 hours.
Try: Dove Advanced Care Nourishing Silk Body Wash
• Sizes: 225ml and 400ml
• Dermatologically-tested
• Gentle on the skin’s microbiome
• Floral fragrance
Who doesn’t want silky soft skin? Packed with natural skin nourishers, this creamy formula cleans away the day whilst moisturising and leaving a luxuriously silky layer of lasting care. Plus, its delicate floral fragrance is a winner for any shower routine.
Try: Dove Advanced Care Pampering Body Wash
• Sizes: 225ml and 400ml
• Dermatologically-tested
• Gentle on the skin’s microbiome
• Shea butter and warm vanilla fragrance
You won’t be able to resist the delectable scent of shea butter and warm vanilla in this pampering body wash. Let the rich and creamy lather work its magic without stripping away your skin’s all-important natural oils and enjoy a moment of self-care before stepping out of the spa (or should we say, shower?).
Try: Dove Advanced Care Anti-Stress Body Wash
• Size: 400ml
• Dermatologically-tested
• Gentle on the skin’s microbiome
• Blue chamomile and oat milk fragrance
A shower is a treat for the mind as well as the body, and if it’s relaxation you’re after, then reach for this blue chamomile and oat milk-infused body wash for a soothing addition to your shower routine. Its moisturising properties help calm dry and stressed-out skin for a touchably soft and smooth feeling.
After you’ve showered, don’t forget to lock in moisture with one of Dove’s nourishing body lotions and stay fresh all day long with their range of hard-working anti-perspirants.
