This content has been reviewed and updated on July 31, 2023.
Reasons to shower go beyond combating body odor and washing away the dirt and grime of the day. The exhilarating sensation of water cascading over the skin provides stress relief and eases achy joints, too. In fact, more than two-thirds of Americans make a daily shower part of their rise-and-shine or bedtime routine.
But does whether you shower at night or in the morning really make a difference? Here we explore the pros and cons associated with each to help you decide when to fit a full-body cleanse into your schedule.
Is It Better to Shower in the Morning or at Night?
Many people believe that a shower should be the first task on each day’s to-do list, while others feel that turning in for bed at night without bathing first is unsanitary.
Is there really a winner in the a.m. versus p.m. shower debate? Well, the answer is…not really. Opting for one over the other won’t result in cleaner skin, which is why individual preferences and habits should guide your decisions.
The Pros and Cons of Morning Showers
Why join the pro-morning shower side of the fence? For starters, a crack-of-dawn cleanse can leave you feeling refreshed, more awake, and ready to tackle the day ahead. However, you might have to wake up extra early to fit a long shower into a busy morning schedule.
If you have fine or oily locks, foregoing more shuteye might be worth it to have a bouncy mane during the day. An a.m. cleanse provides the opportunity to wash away excess oil that accumulated on strands while you slept.
If you sweat a lot at night, a morning rinse gets rid of that sticky, grimy feeling and removes pore-clogging bacteria. Unfortunately, pollutants and sweat do build up on your body again during the day. The gunk transfers to bed sheets, which means you’ll have to do laundry more often.
Although it might sound torturous, a cold shower in the morning could benefit your health in different ways. The habit is associated with increased circulation and energy levels, improved immune system function, and decreased symptoms of depression to start the day with a positive outlook.
Arguments For and Against Evening Showers
People who have labor-intensive jobs and/or active lifestyles are often p.m. shower supporters. A nightly shower removes bacteria, sweat, and additional gunk for clean skin that won’t stick to bed sheets. The linens won’t get dirty as quickly, either, so they won’t have to be washed as often.
A p.m. cleanse is a great way to conclude the day, as there’s more time to take long showers and truly unwind and relax. The extra time can come in handy for those with curly or coarse hair, as thicker locks take longer to dry and style. On the downside, you might wake up with a frizzy mane from the friction of hair against your pillow.
If you sweat at night, you won’t feel as clean during the day without a morning shower. However, you might wake up more well-rested. According to studies, evening showers help restrict body movement during the first few hours of slumber to prevent sleep disturbances.
Is It Bad to Shower Twice a Day?
If you have reasons to shower in the morning and evening, it is okay to shower twice a day. To protect your skin, consider water quality. Hard minerals in tap water dry out skin and make it harder for cleansers to foam and suds to wash away. This can lead to flaky, itchy skin. Upgrade your showerhead filtration system to avoid these concerns.
Canopy is your choice for reimagined household devices that effortlessly optimize your home for beauty and wellness, from your bedroom oasis to your active family spaces. And we’re ready to help you upgrade one of the most important parts of your routine—the shower. Our new easy-to-install filtered shower head reduces dissolved minerals, added chlorine, and other contaminants in your household water, providing clean water that supports healthy skin and hair. Say goodbye to dull skin, brittle hair, and flaky scalp and hello to healthy skin and scalp and longer-lasting hair color.