How Long Should a Shower Take? A Doctor on Aging Has the Answer

Average water bills have crept up over 40% over the last decade, according to 2023 utilities market data. Clearly reducing household costs is a priority for many Americans. However, cutting corners with your hygiene habits with shorter (or fewer) showers can increase the risk of health issues. Meanwhile, if you like to indulge in long, luxurious, treat-yourself showers, those aren’t that great for you, either.

So, how long should a shower take? When it comes to both cost-effectiveness and cleanliness, experts agree that there’s a sweet spot. 

Dr. Rosmy Barrios, MD, is a medical doctor and master aesthetician who specializes in anti-aging practices and regenerative medicine. Here, Dr. Barrios offers her take on how to wash off dirt and potential infection while keeping your skin healthy and being mindful of water use. Dr. Barrios says it comes down to limiting your shower to a specific timeframe.

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How long should a shower take?

Longer doesn’t mean cleaner, Dr. Barrios says. Spending prolonged time under the shower head can actually cause damage to your skin.

“When it comes to the duration of a shower, it is generally recommended that individuals limit their showers to 10 to 15 minutes,” she says. “This is because prolonged exposure to water can strip the skin of its natural oils and lead to dryness and irritation.”

Plus, when you think about how much water you’re using during a shower, keeping it to 10 minutes or less is best practice. According to the Water Footprint Calculator, an average 10-minute shower uses around 25 gallons of water…that’s a lot down the drain. This, of course, is dependent on the shower head’s intensity, but the creators of the calculator say this number is based on a standard low-flow shower.

Choose your bath products wisely

Worried about whether you can get yourself thoroughly clean in 10 minutes? Dr. Barrios says that the “duration of the shower is less important than the quality of the cleansing products used and the thoroughness of the cleansing process.”

Skin cleansers are usually available in two types: traditional soaps and synthetic detergents (syndets), explains Axel Delgado, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist with UnionDerm in New York City and Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. “Synthetic detergents are often recommended by dermatologists since they are designed to have adequate lathering and cleansing properties while being milder than soaps.” 

Syndet cleansers are widely available as body washes, shower gels, and traditional “soap” bar products. “Sulfate-free and fragrance-free are keywords to look out for, as well as common surfactants [cleansing agents] used together in mild cleansers such as sodium lauroyl isethionate and cocamidopropyl betaine,” Dr. Delgado says. 

What hair products should you use?

Dr. Delgado says that when it comes to hair care, ingredients for shampoos and conditioners are often similar to those used in skin cleansers. He shares, “Sulfates are also often encountered in these products, which can irritate the scalp and are also not recommended to be used after certain hair treatments, such as hair relaxation treatments.”

You’ll also want to look for “non-comedogenic” on the label when choosing hair products, especially if you’re dealing with acne on your face, chest, or back. This means the product won’t clog your pores.

The bottom line

All in all, if you prefer to take a quick three- or five-minute shower, that can still yield a quality cleanse—as long as you make sure you’re giving your skin and scalp the proper cleaning they need.

How often should you shower?

With such a short, recommended time limit for a shower, does this mean that you should be showering every day? Dr. Barrios suggests not exactly.

“In terms of showering frequency, it is generally recommended that individuals shower at least once every two days,” she says. “However, this can vary depending on one’s lifestyle and personal preferences. For example, those who exercise frequently or live in hot, humid climates may need to shower more to maintain good hygiene. On the other hand, individuals with dry skin may want to avoid showering too often, as it can strip the skin of its natural oils.”

How hot should a shower be?

If you take a five-minute shower that’s so hot your skin turns bright pink, chances are good that’s going to compromise the quality of your shower, too. “The temperature of the shower water can also impact skin health,” says Dr. Barrios. While hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils and cause irritation, “cold water can constrict blood vessels and lead to a dull, lackluster complexion.”

The best solution? A short shower that’s sub-steamy. “It is best to use lukewarm water when showering to maintain the skin’s natural balance,” she says.

The proper way to take a shower

Overall, a short 10- to 15-minute shower with lukewarm water is the best way to maintain good hygiene while avoiding excessive loss of your skin’s natural moisture. However, there are other best practices dermatologists recommend.

Dr. Delgado shares this step-by-step method to get the most out of your shower:

1. Wash your scalp and condition your hair first. “Shampoos are targeted to treat the scalp, and conditioners are targeted for the actual hair fibers,” he says. “Both should be gently massaged into the scalp or hair and rinsed off thoroughly.”
2. Use a skin cleanser after washing your hair. This can help wash off any potential skin residue from your conditioner. Work the product into a lather with your hands and gently massage the cleanser into your skin. If you use a loofah, sponge, or cloth, be extra gentle. Too much pressure can easily irritate your skin. (Make sure that you clean these shower products regularly to avoid bacteria build-up!) 
3. Thoroughly rinse off your body cleanser. Residue can lead to irritation or dryness. 
4. Pat your skin and hair dry with a towel.
5. Moisturize your skin with a hydrating lotion while your skin is still damp. This promotes better product absorption, seals in more moisture, and makes it easier to spread across your skin evenly.
6. If you’re using a hair dryer, don’t aim it at just one spot. “It is recommended to avoid excessive heating of the scalp or hair by moving the hair dryer constantly, maintaining a distance of approximately six inches from the hair, and using lower heat settings when possible,” he says.
7. Dry your hair before brushing, Dr. Delgado advises. Wet hair is more fragile, and manipulation may lead to damage, such as split ends. “Partially drying the hair is also an option, and gentle use of a wide-tooth comb is recommended for that situation.” 

For daily wellness updates, subscribe to The Healthy by Reader’s Digest newsletter and follow The Healthy on Facebook and Instagram. Keep reading:

• Should You Take a Shower or a Bath? What Experts Think
• No Time to Shower? Then You Need These 8 Genius Morning Hacks
• How Bad Is It to Pee in the Shower?
• Here’s How to Properly Wash Your Hair
• 10 Body Parts You’re Not Washing Enough