Of course, skin covers the whole of our bodies—and yet, we rarely give the rest of our skin the attention it so deserves. Except in the shower. The shower is when you are able to connect with your skin from the neck down in a fundamental way. But are you taking your “healthiest” shower? And on that note, what does a better-for-skin shower even look like? And its flora does a lot for us: helps us deal with skin infections by crowding out pathogens with good bacteria, acts as a vital part of our skin barrier, protects us from environmental damage by limiting exposure to allergens and oxidative stress, and even communicates with our internal immune system1, new research shows. And even then, we’re really only scratching the surface. There is so much we don’t fully understand about the biome yet, and we are learning more nearly every day. “The microbiome is essentially an organ system and could be thought of as that important,” says physician James Hamblin, M.D., author of Clean: The New Science of Skin. “We know that you don’t want to be sterile, or without these microbes. The function is far greater in scope than what we can actually understand right now. So, it is at once very difficult to say how exactly to keep the microbiome well and optimized while also knowing it is very important to keep it healthy.” Indeed, a lot of variables to consider. And the thing is, each of these steps can be optimized to better support your microbiome and skin barrier. But the key here is that it’s your microbiome: You know your needs and body better than anyone else. “One thing I like to make clear is that this is a personal decision,” reminds Hamblin. “There’s advice that you can offer to help in the decision-making process, but I would never tell anyone how exactly to approach this. However, if you want to make changes, it is possible to think outside the box. And it’s not unhealthy and unhygienic to do these things less or different from what we’re normally told.” “For many people, daily showering isn’t a big problem,” says Hamblin. “But for some who have skin conditions, fluctuating between oiliness and dryness, or going between inflammatory skin flares and no flares, you may consider that over-showering may be part of the problem.” So even if you do want to shower daily, you can also just stick to a rinse every so often, notes board-certified dermatologist Zenovia Gabriel, M.D., FAAD. Gabriel says you can skip the allover cleanser and simply tend to the sweatier places—underarm and groin area—with a wash. Then use soap only two to three times a week, which can prevent drying out skin and causing inflammation, she tells us about choosing body cleansers. “Take lengthy showers in tepid water, staying under the water until your fingertips get wrinkled,” says dermatologist Loretta Ciraldo, M.D., FAAD. “This is a sign that you have tremendously rehydrated your skin.” But on the other end, you don’t need to spend too much time: “You can take shorter showers,” says Hamblin. “That’s a very simple way to change your habits.” “Ideal soaps are made without harsh sulfates like sodium lauryl sulfate, that can damage the skin barrier,” board-certified dermatologist Whitney Bowe, M.D., tells us. “I also love seeing hand soaps that are enriched with soothing, hydrating ingredients like milk, aloe, honey, and oatmeal. Also, any ingredients that restore the barrier and help bring the pH back to the normal range—slightly acidic—are imperative. Our skin has an invisible layer called the ‘acid mantle,’ and we need to respect the pH of our skin to keep it healthy.” As for irritants, some people are more susceptible to fragrances and the like. “[Artificial fragrance] is one of the most common ingredients to cause sensitivity, puffiness, itch, and rash,” Ciraldo has noted about hypoallergenic products. Also, parabens and other common preservatives have been linked to allergic reactions. And, again, as noted above: Do not feel the need to fully lather up with every wash. Some showers only call for a light rinse of water. Or, as a more economical option: “Just don’t use as much soap,” says Hamblin.
