How Frequently You Might Need to Take a Shower, According to New Study (2025)

“You walk into any pharmacy and there are aisles ofshampoos and soaps... How much ofitisnecessary for health? AmIwasting time and money? Would Ibe better off ifI did less?” These are the questions Dr. James Hamblin, aspecialist inpreventive medicine and public health, recently explored inaconversation with CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent.

Curious about the answers, Hamblin took anunconventional approach—he significantly cut back ontraditional showers for nearly five years. Inhis book, Clean: The New Science ofSkin, hedocuments this personal experiment while also examining the historical and scientific aspects ofhygiene. “Icarefully wrote (inthe book) that five years agoI stopped— and Idid,” heexplained, highlighting the process oftrial and error throughout his journey.

“Inthat time, Itried all kinds ofdifferent products. This was acourse ofexperimentation ofall different sorts ofregimens. So, Ididn’t spend five entire years never showering— no. However, Icertainly was very minimalist for avery long time.”

Hamblin stressed that while soap isuseful, particularly for breaking down sticky oroily substances, its role incleaning isoften overstated. “But usually, it’s more the mechanical force that’s doing most ofthe washing,” heexplained, pointing out that simply rubbing hands together under running water isenough toremove much ofthe dirt and grime. Ofcourse, heclarified, this applies tomost everyday situations and does not extend toprofessions like food service orsurgery, where strict hygiene isnecessary.

Part ofhis motivation for writing the book came from observing arelatively new health trend atthe time. “People were suddenly taking probiotics and wanting tohave optimal gut flora,” hesaid. “And Isaw the same thing potentially happening inskin health because you have these trillions ofmicrobes all over you. The skin microbiome issmaller than the gut microbiome, but it’s asimilar principle.”

Our skin, similar toour gut, harbors avast and diverse community ofmicroorganisms. This skin microbiome serves asacrucial link between our body’s internal systems and the external environment. These interactions significantly influence our overall health, though much remains tobediscovered. Overwashing can disturb this delicate ecosystem, potentially leading tovarious concerns.

“There isaharmony between the oils and chemicals that your skin secretes naturally and the skin microbiome that lives onthat skin,” the doctor stated. “You temporarily disrupt the microbiome when you take ahot shower, and you use (soap). But you’re also disrupting essentially the soil onwhich those microbes live, bydrying out your skin and removing all the oils.”

Hefurther stated, “It’s not necessarily bad, but itchanges the dynamic. And ifyou are prone toaninflammatory cascade like (what) happens with eczema oracne, you can beexacerbating (that problem).” Helikened ittoclear-cutting aforest, aprocess that doesn’t always benefit the land.

Dr. Hamblin clarified that hygiene isprimarily focused onpreventing the spread ofinfectious diseases, while cleansing ismore ofapersonal and ritualistic practice. Heexplained that hygiene involves actions “like washing your hands after you use the bathroom soyou’re not spreading any kind ofbodily fluids— you’re not sneezing into your hand and then shaking someone’s hand— the very basics ofwhat you would dospecifically soyou donot get other people sick.”

Incontrast, hedescribed cleanliness as“amuch broader category offeeling like you are refreshed and renewed and your best self.” Hefurther noted, “And it’s certainly not purely cosmetic: There (are) psychological components toit.” Hamblin emphasized that showering from head totoe every day is“purely acosmetic and recreational choice,” highlighting that itisnot necessary for maintaining health.

The skin inthe female intimate area ishighly sensitive and can beeasily irritated bycommon personal care products, including shower gels. Toprevent dryness and discomfort, itisrecommended tolimit washing, asexcessive cleansing may strip away natural moisture. Inmost cases, washing once aday isadequate.

Additionally, the frequent use offeminine wash can disrupt the natural balance ofthe microbiome inthis area. Such imbalances may increase the risk ofbacterial infections, yeast overgrowth, and other health concerns. Research has also linked disruptions inthis delicate ecosystem tofertility issues, pregnancy complications, and potential difficulties inconceiving.

• Understanding our own bodies isessential, and regularly checking our breasts can helpus stay aware ofany changes. While most changes are harmless, some signs might need adoctor’s attention. Learn more through this link.