Why You Shouldn’t Shower Every Day After 65

As we age, our skin becomes thinner, drier, and more fragile. Collagen, elastin, and sebum—natural elements that protect and hydrate skin—decline over time. Too many hot showers and harsh soaps can strip away the skin’s protective barrier, causing dryness, itching, and irritation.

Experts recommend 2–3 showers per week for people over 65. This keeps you clean while preserving skin health and moisture.

Shower smart:

• Use lukewarm water

• Choose gentle, moisturizing cleansers

• Keep showers under 5 minutes

• Pat dry (don’t rub)

• Moisturize right after

Taking care of your skin is part of taking care of yourself—especially as you age.

As we age, it is important to adjust our showering habits to protect our skin and overall health. While daily showers may have been the norm in our younger years, experts now recommend reducing the frequency of showers to 2-3 times per week for those over the age of 65.

The reason behind this recommendation lies in the changes that occur in our skin as we age. The natural elements that keep our skin hydrated and protected, such as collagen, elastin, and sebum, decrease over time. Excessive showering, especially with hot water and harsh soaps, can further strip away these essential elements, leading to dryness, itching, and irritation.

By showering less frequently, we can help preserve our skin’s natural barrier and moisture levels. In addition to reducing the frequency of showers, it is also important to shower smart. This includes using lukewarm water instead of hot water, choosing gentle and moisturizing cleansers, keeping showers short (under 5 minutes), patting dry the skin instead of rubbing it, and moisturizing immediately after showering.

Taking care of our skin is not just about aesthetics, but also about maintaining our overall health and well-being as we age. By adjusting our showering habits and being mindful of the products we use, we can help keep our skin healthy and comfortable.

So, the next time you reach for the shower gel or turn on the water, remember that less is more when it comes to showering after the age of 65. By showering less frequently and following a few simple tips, you can protect your skin, maintain its moisture levels, and promote your overall health and vitality as you age.