Is it necessary to shower every day? This is a topic that doesn't garner universal agreement. While some people cannot imagine going through a day without a good shower, others can skip it for a day or two, or even more. But is it really necessary to wash ourselves thoroughly every day?
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Is it possible to take multiple showers a day?
Summary
- What are the risks of excessive hygiene?
- How can we define the ideal frequency for showering?
- How to reconcile hygiene and skin health?
Published November 5, 2021,
updated on August 8, 2024,
by
Stéphanie, PhD, Doctorate in Life and Health Sciences
—
3 min read
What are the risks of excessive hygiene?
Through the constant use of tap water, which contains limestone, and daily soap use, the skin becomes vulnerable and irritable to external aggressions and diseases. Indeed, the friction during showering and the components of soap cause a loss of part of the hydrolipidic film. This thin layer plays a crucial role in skin protection, as it retains hydration and acts as a barrier that prevents bacteria from penetrating.
Soap, particularly if it is made from chemical ingredients, can also dry out the skin when used excessively. Flaking can also occur due to repeated soaping. Individuals suffering from atopic dermatitis, such as eczema, and those with sensitive skin are particularly vulnerable to dryness. Furthermore, tap water rich in limestone disrupts the skin barrier. In reality, the skin is not designed to be stripped down daily.
How can we define the ideal frequency for showering?
The need to shower varies from person to person, and from one gender to another. The primary objective of taking a shower is to rid oneself of dirt, bacteria, and unpleasant odours. However, perspiration and the emergence of body odours do not manifest in the same way for everyone. For instance, individuals with oily skin or those who are overweight may develop body odours quickly. Similarly, men tend to sweat more than women. Here are a few factors that can influence the need or lack thereof to shower daily:
· The profession: Those who work on construction sites, in kitchens, in factories, outdoors under the sun, etc. often have to shower every day.
· Activity: those who engage in daily sports, gardening, carrying objects, etc., also need to shower to eliminate sweat.
· The lifestyle.
· The season: in summer, people need to shower every day, whereas in winter, it is not always necessary.
How to reconcile hygiene and skin health?
As daily use of soap and hard water is not beneficial for the skin, it's crucial to find the right balance. It's important to distinguish between a full shower and a quick wash. For those not engaged in dirty work and not particularly prone to sweating, a quick daily wash is sufficient. This quick wash involves cleaning the body parts that generate odour and are exposed: the armpits, feet, hands, face, and genital areas. For those who need to take a full shower every day, it's best to opt for gentle, natural soaps or gels. It's also recommended to apply a moisturising or nourishing treatment after the shower to preserve the skin's hydrolipidic film. At Typology, our moisturising cream with 10 natural ingredients helps to strike the balance between daily hygiene and skin protection.
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