How often should you *actually* shower?

The answer might surprise you. ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ [Healthline]( [Wellness Wire]( In a Nutshell Shout out to “Barbie” and “Superstore” actor America Ferrera who recently told the world her guilty pleasure is not showering for a few days. As you can imagine, people have been talking about how gross this is. But is it really all that bad? (Asking for myself, a lazy person who feels obligated to take a daily shower.) Let’s dig into the dirty details below. But first, check out some of our latest stories you might have missed: • [Retail therapy: Bad habit or mood booster?]( • [How to lower your heart rate, now and over time]( • [What do your food cravings really mean?]( Be well, Morgan Mandriota Newsletter Editor, Healthline Written by Morgan Mandriota September 11, 2023 • 3 min read [To shower or not to shower?]( what’s got us buzzing [To shower or not to shower?]( 🌊 How often is too often? If you’re showering every day but your skin is dry, itchy, and flaky, or your hair is getting brittle –– and you don’t suspect anything else is going on health-wise –– that might be your sign to cut back. Frequent showering can also trigger skin conditions like eczema or [psoriasis](. If this hits home for you, you might benefit from more time between washes. 💧 What about not showering enough? Let’s start with the obvious: Body odor can increase the longer you delay bathing. Smell aside, infrequent showers can lead to a buildup of dead skin cells, sweat, and dirt, which can eventually cause [acne](, infections, or condition flare-ups. 🚿 So, what’s the right amount for you? The ideal shower frequency depends on what’s best for [your unique skin type]( and level of hygiene. A good rule of thumb: [Some experts]( recommend showering every other day or two to three times per week. But if you’re super sweaty, smelly, or dirty, consider bathing more often as needed. If you can’t give up your daily shower, at least limit it to 5 minutes and use cooler water to help protect your skin and hair! great finds Try this customizable meal service for half off! [Factor Meal Delivery Service]( [Factor Meal Delivery Service]( Whether you need 6 or 18 meals, Factor’s ready-made meal delivery service is an affordable and fun way to change up your fall cooking routine. Not only does the company collaborate with chefs, it also works with dietitians to create nutrient-packed, balanced breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. With options like ground pork and cheddar chili mac and a peanut Buddha bowl, Factor’s rotating weekly menus offer plenty of delicious meals for most eating plans. Plus, there’s no commitment, so pause, cancel, or change your plan at any time! Ready to try it? Use code “HEALTHLINE50” for 50% off your first box! [Check it out]( Every product we recommend has gone through [Healthline's vetting process](. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline is owned by RVO Health. health stories you need What we’re reading next [] 🔥 [11 strategies to help you reset after burnout.]( Put out the fire and recover with these research-backed coping tips. 💤 [Myths and facts about insomnia.]( No, you can’t actually catch up on lost sleep. ❤️ [Before and after cardiac arrest, men and women have different symptoms.]( Know what they are to help protect yourself and your loved ones. 🤯 [Small decrease in plaque can drop heart attack risk by how much?!]( And we’re not referring to your oral hygiene. Thanks for reading! Ginger will be back in your inbox on Wednesday. Feel free to drop us a line at wellnesswire@healthline.com to share your thoughts on today’s newsletter in the meantime. Until next time, [healthline]( Take care of yourself, and we’ll see you again soon! [Telegram] This edition was powered by avocado mac and cheese. [fb]( [tiktok]( [insta]( [View in browser]( Did a friend send you this email? [Subscribe here.]( To see all newsletters, [click here.]( [Privacy]( | [Unsubscribe]( Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Healthline does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. Healthline encourages you to make any treatment decisions with your healthcare professional. Healthline is owned by RVO Health. © 2023 Healthline Media LLC 275 7th Ave., 24th Floor New York, NY 10001