Is it Okay to Shower Two to Three Times a Day?
PSA: Where you live plays a big factor.
Showering two to three times a day might seem excessive in many parts of the world, but here in the Philippines, it’s not uncommon at all. Many Filipinos bathe multiple times daily, largely owing to the fact that we live in a tropical climate where it’s easy to get all sweaty and sticky. As a race, we’re big on hygiene, too, with historical records showing that even our ancestors bathed frequently to stay fresh and clean (something that apparently shocked Spanish colonizers when they first came here).
But while frequent bathing clearly has its benefits, how often is too often? Is it even healthy to shower two to three times daily? Here, we explore the advantages and drawbacks of frequent showers and provide some practical tips for maintaining your skin and hair health—considering our bathing obsession.
The Benefits of Frequent Showers
For many Filipinos, taking a bath once or twice a day is standard, with the first one usually done at the start of the day, and the second one after getting home or before bedtime. But it’s also not unusual for some to bathe three times a day, especially during the hottest months or after physical activities. The primary advantages include the following:
It cools the body down.
Multiple showers help cool the body, which is crucial in a hot environment. This can prevent overheating and provide immediate comfort, especially if you’re dealing with tropical skin woes, like heat rash and sun allergy.
It promotes good hygiene.
Sweating is natural and necessary, but it can also lead to body odor and a buildup of bacteria on the skin. Regular showers can help keep these issues at bay. (If you’re dealing with excessive sweating, however, read this.)
It provides mental refreshment.
A cool shower can be invigorating, improving mood and mental clarity, especially after a long day. Studies have even found showers to have some powerful psychological benefits, like relieving stress, decreasing anxiety, boosting self-confidence, and fighting insomnia.
How Frequent Showers Can Be Harmful
While there are obvious benefits, there are also potential downsides to consider:
Skin dryness
Over-showering can strip the skin of its natural oils, more so if you use hot water and harsh soaps in your bath. “For patients with eczema such as atopic dermatitis, showering more than once a day may lead to the worsening of skin dryness and increase itchiness of the skin,” says Dr. Maximin Navarro, resident dermatologist at Bella Pelle Skin Solutions and a Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) fellow.
His advice? Aside from once-a-day bathing especially for those with dry skin, it’s best to switch to a hypoallergenic moisturizing soap. He adds, “Using room [temperature] water compress may also be an alternative over spraying cool water—to cool down and hydrate the skin.”
Hair damage
Washing hair too often can remove essential oils, resulting in dry, brittle hair that is more prone to breakage. Couple this with the use of harsh shampoos and you’ve got a recipe for hair disaster.
Microbiome disruption
The skin hosts beneficial bacteria that protect against harmful microbes. Excessive washing can disrupt this balance, potentially leading to skin problems. In such cases, oral probiotics can help, says Dr. Navarro, to restore a healthy microbiome.
What do the experts say?
Most dermatologists suggest that the frequency of showers should depend on individual needs and lifestyle. While there is no universal rule, moderation is key. Dr. Navarro’s main advice is to take a bath with room temperature water instead of using warm water. “Avoid doing a body scrub daily when showering,” he says, as the constant friction can be harmful to your skin. “Do this at least once every three to four weeks to exfoliate the skin.”
He also recommends using a hypoallergenic, fragrance-free moisturizing soap or wash and drying yourself with a soft towel cloth. “After your bath, apply a bath oil or moisturizing lotion to seal the water in the skin, making your skin soft and hydrated,” Dr. Navarro says.
Tips for Healthy Showering
To strike a balance between staying fresh and maintaining healthy skin and hair, check out these practical tips:
● Use lukewarm water: Hot water can be harsh on the skin, so it’s best to opt for lukewarm water (a.k.a. maligamgam) to cleanse effectively without stripping away natural oils. Prefer cold water? That’s okay, too, and can actually help energize your body and boost circulation. Just make sure it’s not too cold. Generally, it’s best to avoid extremes when it comes to your shower temperature.
● Use gentle cleansers: Select soaps and body washes that are free of harsh chemicals and fragrances. Look for the words “gentle” and “hypoallergenic” on the label, and avoid heavily scented formulas. Products with moisturizing ingredients can also help maintain the skin’s hydration while cleansing skin.
Try: Vanicream Cleansing Bar, P720
This soap bar is free of dyes, fragrances, and parabens, and is suitable for the face and body—even for those with sensitive skin (children, included!).
Infused with natural oatmeal to soothe and moisturize the complexion, this offers gentle cleansing while helping maintain a healthy pH balance.
This extra pure shampoo and wash for babies is safe for daily use, delivering gentle detoxifying action. Adults with sensitive skin can use this, too!
● Limit your shower duration: Aim to keep showers short, ideally at around 5 to 10 minutes. Prolonged exposure to water can exacerbate dryness.
● Hydrate post-shower
Try: MD Therapy Glutatone A+ Ceramide Lotion, P2,650
This lightweight body lotion combines the benefits of ceramide to hydrate, vitamin C to deliver antioxidant action, and glutathione and arbutin to safely brighten.
This premium lotion for the face, hands, and body is free of dyes, fragrance, lanolin, formaldehyde, and parabens for gentle daily hydration.
● Shampoo wisely: Make sure to use a mild, hypoallergenic, and sulfate-free shampoo and limit shampooing to once a day. Using a conditioner post-wash can also help restore moisture and protect hair from damage.
Try: Vanicream Shampoo (formerly Free & Clear), P1,850
This formula is specifically created for those who wish to avoid chemicals in their hair products, and works by gently cleansing hair and scalp while controlling oil.
● Pat dry and don’t rub: Vigorously rubbing the skin with a towel can cause irritation. Instead, gently pat dry so as not to inflict unnecessary friction, and to protect the skin barrier.
To shower often or not?
Truth be told, there’s no one-size-fits-all recommendation for showering as we all have varying preferences and lifestyles. Let this be a rule of thumb, though: It’s never good to overdo anything. Whatever your routine is like right now, make sure to listen to your body and adjust your practices as needed. If you notice signs of dryness or irritation, for example, consider cutting back or changing your showering products. Even better, talk to your dermatologist for expert guidance.
For customized skincare recommendations, you can book a face-to-face or virtual dermatological consultation with Dr. Maximin Navarro, our resident dermatologist and a Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) fellow, here. You may also contact the Bella Pelle Skin Solutions Clinic at (+63) 999-887-1933. For a full list of facial services and other treatments, click here.
Bella Pelle Skin Solutions is located 2/F L Building, #142 Katipunan, Brgy. Saint Ignatius, Quezon City. The center is open Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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