What I am about to suggest is going to seem gross to many of you. Heck, you may just gawk at it and think, "Oh, hell no!" In fact, I am sure there will be some interesting comments on this article firing back at me, too.
To clarify, I do shower daily because I like to run a few miles in the evening and that makes me pretty sweaty and funky.
But, according to a new survey, one-third of the people in Britain actually do not take a daily shower. This has to be one foul-smelling horde, you'd think. But some experts say that you really only need to shower twice per week.
Dr. Elaine Larson works at Columbia University School of Nursing and specializes in infectious diseases. In a recent interview with Time Magazine, she said that you don't need to be taking daily showers to keep your skin clean.
"People think they are showering or to be cleaner, but bacteriologically, that's not the case," she explained.
Taking too many showers can actually rob your skin of its natural oil (sebum) and can dry out the skin, risking more infection from the cracks that can form in the skin's folds.
According to Dr. C Brandon Mitchell, who works at George Washington University as a professor of dermatology, all you really need is about two showers per week.
"Your body is naturally a well-oiled machine. A daily shower isn't necessary," he told Time.
But where do we draw the line on this one? I mean, are these doctors considering that people work out? What about people who have dirty jobs?
I can't imagine not taking a shower to wash off the sweat, smell and gunk after running two miles in the heat of the summer.
After I am out camping for a few days, same thing: I feel like I have been dumpster diving.
I do have sensitive skin, but I use lightly warm water to prevent drying my skin out. I also use organic body wash that contains a lot of moisturizer so that my skin is not stripped of its oils.
Sure, these doctors may have a point. But it's a gross one.
As for me, I will stick to my daily shower routine.
How about you? Do you think only showering twice per week would be gross?
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.