My mom, having the same oil-prone scalp and skin as me, always showers in the morning. So even as an adult, I also still only shower in the morning. Generally, I assumed that your choice of when to shower was a personal one influenced by your upbringing. My parents passed down a love for horror films, hazel eyes, and a need to wash my hair before leaving the house.
But I often find myself in the minority as a morning shower-er. Sure, occasionally, I’ll suds up at night—say, after a 7 p.m. CorePower, a concert, or just a long, sweaty day on the subway—but my hair washing almost exclusively occurs around dawn. Most days, I’m washing my face and wiping down my body with a shower wipe to remove the day’s grime, then hopping right into bed.
I started wondering: Is there a benefit either way? Is the before-bed-shower brigade onto something? Am I missing something if my everything-shower falls before 10 a.m.? Is anyone doing it right? So, I asked a dermatologist.
Is it better to shower in the morning or at night?
From a skin health standpoint, there are benefits and drawbacks to both camps, says dermatologist Muneeb Shah, MD. “Showering at night helps remove environmental pollutants, sweat, oil, and allergens that accumulate throughout the day, which can be beneficial for overall skin health and for keeping bedding clean,” he explains. But “morning showers can help remove sweat and bacteria that build up overnight and may be preferred for those who exercise early or want to feel more alert at the start of the day or have oil-prone scalps or hair that takes a long time to style,” he adds. Obviously, this presents a challenge.
At night, going to bed with clean skin limits your risk of transferring all of those germs to your bed (a dirty pillowcase is often a major culprit for breakouts, as could be sheets). So it could make more sense to shower before bed in that case. But there’s more to consider. You often sweat while you’re sleeping (no matter how cold you keep the A/C on). So although you go to bed clean, you could wake up a little sweaty or oily, which could potentially lead to body odor.
Dr. Shah recommends showering at night if you live in a high-pollution city. For most people, though, “showering in the morning is appropriate as long as you change your pillowcase and sheets regularly.” Because, honestly, showering is only part of the equation. Washing your bed sheets and pillowcases at least once a week will help prevent breakouts, bacteria spread, and even dust mites.
“For most individuals, the timing of a shower is less important than how the shower is performed,” Dr. Shah says. “Using lukewarm water, limiting duration, and avoiding overly harsh cleansers are key for preserving the skin barrier,” he notes, which can get weakened from excessive washing.
Should you shower every day?
“Daily showering is generally well tolerated for most people, particularly those who are physically active or exposed to environmental pollutants,” Dr. Shah explains. “However, not everyone requires a full-body cleanse every day.” In fact, over-washing (especially if you’re using hot water, scrubbing aggressively, or not moisturizing your skin afterward) could actually lead to dryness and irritation—the opposite effect we’re hoping to achieve over here. He recommends focusing on areas prone to odor (armpits, groin, back, and chest) using a washcloth or even a micellar water-soaked cotton pad.
“From a dermatologic perspective, the best approach is to match your cleanser and post-shower products to your skin type and specific concerns,” he adds. Here’s a quick guide to help you:
Then, after the shower, moisturize right away with a body cream or butter, Dr. Shah says. “I usually recommend applying moisturizer while the skin is still slightly damp to help trap water into the skin,” he says. “Overall, frequent showering does not have to damage the skin, but it does mean you need to be more intentional about using the right cleanser and following with a moisturizer or treatment product that supports the barrier.”
Final thoughts:
So, there isn’t really a true answer, but for the most part, it might just be beneficial to shower at night to remove all the bacteria from your skin before sliding into bed, then “wash up” in the morning to reduce odor. “The most important factor is maintaining consistent hygiene habits that align with your lifestyle,” Dr. Shah says.
Meet the expert:
Muneeb Shah, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Hudson Dermatology in New York, NY. He’s also the founder of award-winning skincare brand REMEDY.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with more than seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you “have to try.” Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair ‘do every few months.
