Some find that a shower in the morning serves as a way to freshen up and start the day, while others see a shower at night as a way to relax and unwind. Another category prefers to skip the daily showers altogether because it causes dryness. We did some research to find out how often we should cleanse and what factors we should take into consideration.

If you have oily skin, lathering up may seem like a perfect way to make it look more matte, but it actually works the other way around. Harmful chemicals in the soap can dry out your skin, causing your oil glands to produce even more sebum, and your face will end up looking even more greasy.

If your skin is sensitive and dry or you’re suffering from skin conditions such as psoriasis, more than one shower per day can trigger inflammation, causing your skin to itch even more. Some dermatologists even recommend showering two to three times a week to avoid skin irritation.

Jumping in the shower first thing in the morning and washing your hair with your favorite shampoo can make you feel clean and will help you style your hair easily. But shampooing every day may keep your hair from looking its best, especially if you have curly or textured hair. If you’re a curly-haired girl, washing your hair once a week is enough because your locks need sebum to keep the moisture in.

Only people with fine hair need to wash it every day because straight and thin hair gets coated by sebum easily and looks oily much faster.

If you hit the gym often, you may want to hop into the shower more frequently. Showering right after a workout can help your muscles to recover more easily, prevent body acne, and even boost your immune system. The same is true for people who work outside or are exposed to strong chemicals on the job, they will obviously benefit from daily showers.

When it’s hot outside, it’s only natural that you feel the need to wash off the sweat every day or perhaps even twice a day. And cooler temperatures mean you sweat less, so you probably need to shower less frequently. Your skin might feel extra dry and sensitive in winter months, and showering daily may irritate it and lead to even more dryness.

Apart from how often you take a shower, the way you do it also affects your skin and your overall health.

• Turn the heat down. Water that’s too hot can strip your skin of the essential oils it needs to look naturally radiant.
• Opt for fragrance-free cleansers. Fragrances make your soap smell nice, but these chemicals can be potentially harmful to your skin.
• Keep it short. Dermatologists recommend limiting your showers to 10 minutes maximum.
• Skip the soap. You don’t necessarily need to lather up every time you take a shower. The only areas that need to be washed with soap are your face, private parts, and armpits.

Sandy Skotnicki, MD. recommends showering less regularly and only washing 3 body parts. She recommends a 3-step shower routine that includes washing your armpits, the groin, and feet

Right before you finish taking a shower, turn on the cold water for 30 seconds. This will increase your stress resistance, make your immune system stronger, and work as an anti-depressant. But don’t forget that taking a contrast shower right before you sleep might lead to insomnia.