Only Showering Once a Week? Here's What Happens to Your Skin

Showering less often and using a washcloth more can save energy and offer a number of benefits to your skin.

Many people shower daily, but this is now being questioned due to the energy crisis. The "Non-Bathing" trend suggests that showering less can benefit both your skin and the environment by protecting your skin's natural barrier and saving water. This idea has gained traction, especially among celebrities in the US.

During the pandemic lockdowns, showering less became common. "There were simply fewer reasons to style oneself," notes Nielsen analyst Yvonne Hornung. With more people working from home, the need for daily showers decreased, and while the market for shower products is recovering, it hasn't yet reached pre COVID levels.

In 2021, the "Non-Bathing" or "Cleansing Reduction" trend became popular in Hollywood. Stars like Kristen Bell, Brad Pitt, and Jake Gyllenhaal embraced it. Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts, and Charlize Theron mentioned they shower only once a week to conserve water. Mila Kunis shared that she doesn't wash her body daily, focusing only on her armpits, breasts, feet, and intimate areas. Her partner, Ashton Kutcher, follows a similar routine.

However, this trend is controversial. Dwayne Johnson, also known as "The Rock," prefers to shower multiple times a day. He enjoys both cold and warm showers and cleans his face with a scrub.

James Hamblin, author of "Clean: The New Science of Skin," points out that there's little consensus on what benefits our skin. While the soap industry has improved public health, he argues it has overstepped. Hamblin suggests soap is mainly needed for feet and armpits.

He criticizes ads that promote over washing, leading to excessive water use and unnecessary product consumption. He notes that cutting back on daily showers may initially cause stronger body odor but will balance out over time.

Dermatologist Marion Moers-Carpi agrees, emphasizing that excessive washing can damage the skin's protective oils. She showers twice a week and uses minimal soap, noting that our grandparents, who bathed less frequently, did not suffer from significant body odor issues. Reducing shower frequency can ultimately benefit both your skin and the environment.