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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want a shower everyday?

129 replies

Ointb · 22/04/2021 15:19

I find they dry my skin out if I shower every day, even if I use lukewarm water and emollient creams - I have kept them short, and tried everything I can think of short of seeing a dermatologist. My skin itches like crazy after most showers.

I do feel a lot fresher of course but is it really unhygienic to switch to every other day? (And for my partner is it gross?!)

OP posts:
Deux · 22/04/2021 15:22

I make a homemade scrub for using in the shower that exfoliates and moisturises. Just mix together coconut oil and sugar and store it in a plastic tub. It’s great for dry skin and cheap too.

MazekeenSmith · 22/04/2021 15:23

It's pretty gross if you share a bed with someone else!
Do you have a bath? Baths rather than showers stop me itching especially if I use emollient in the bath

SecretWitch · 22/04/2021 15:24

In the winter I shower every other day. My gets very dry and red.
I do my face, boobs and under bits with a clean flannel every day. Obviously put on fresh knickers and bra.

I have to shower every day in summer as I become a big sweaty mess ( thanks menopause!)

My husband does the same, so no complaints.

Queenoftheashes · 22/04/2021 15:24

There is no need to shower every day unless you are becoming filthy

molojoko · 22/04/2021 15:25

YANBU. Listen to your skin -- it can't cope with all that scrubbing. It's not healthy for you, so don't do it.

MrsTerryPratchett · 22/04/2021 15:26

I do my face, boobs and under bits with a clean flannel every day. Obviously put on fresh knickers and bra.

This. Plus feet. Let's be really honest, your back, calves, stomach and shoulders don't smell and don't need washed every day.

PurpleDaisies · 22/04/2021 15:27

I only shower every day when I’m exercising a lot or if it’s hot weather. There’s no need.

Akire · 22/04/2021 15:27

Long as you keep the main smelly areas clean with a wipe or cloth wash then your whole body doesn’t need to be totally covered with water to still be clean. Unless you are getting covered in sweat from head to toe day to day.

TheQueef · 22/04/2021 15:27

Unless you do manual work or work down the pit a good wash every other day won't hurt.

Poppins2016 · 22/04/2021 15:27

I'm prone to very dry skin and have mild eczema. I only shower every other day. I'll shower more often if there's a need (i.e. being hot and sticky in summer) but I find every other day is sufficient in most conditions!

My son has the same skin type, prone to eczema and is also only bathed every other day unless he gets seriously messy (again, usually in the summer time)!

One other thing to consider is avoiding the foaming ingredient sodium laureth sulphate (seems to irritate dry skin) and/or trying a shower gel or soap for sensitive skin. I quite like the shower gels by Simple. Aveeno moisturiser is excellent.

Dollywilde · 22/04/2021 15:28

Yanbu. I shower every other day and have a quick wipe to refresh on the days I don’t. I have really really annoying hair (fine, frizzes at the first sign of humidity eg the shower, even if I don’t get it wet) and it takes so long to look presentable that I just can’t hack doing it daily.

TimeForTeaAndG · 22/04/2021 15:28

It's not gross. If you're not particularly sweaty during the day then I see no need to shower every day. I have a wash in the sink of the main areas but shower once or twice a week usually. More if I've done exercise classes or been a particularly energetic walk with the dog.

ZZTopGuitarSolo · 22/04/2021 16:08

I take myself through a carwash twice a day. Much more effective. A mere shower really isn't enough to remove every trace of scent and oil from your body.

MrsPsmalls · 22/04/2021 16:19

You don't have to shower everyday. I have a space age toilet that does my undercarriage every time I use it. Other bits and bobs done as needed!

Dogmum40 · 22/04/2021 16:23

I have a strip wash every morning for the usually stinky and sweater parts and bath and shower every other day! I have eczema and no matter what sensitive products I use if I use them daily it flairs up! Every other day is pushing it to be honest where my skin is concerned but I really can’t go two days with showering

Smartiepants79 · 22/04/2021 16:30

Of course it’s not necessary to shower every day if you are not particularly sweaty or dirty. I shower every other day. My husband everyday and I can tell you now I still smell a damn sight better than him at the end of the day.
Too much washing has a negative impact on your body.

Queenoftheashes · 22/04/2021 16:47

@MrsPsmalls how would one procure such a toilet?

notalwaysalondoner · 22/04/2021 16:55

Honestly, I shower every other day and have done for years. I've never had anyone suggest that I smell. I'm lucky that my hair doesn't need washing more often than that. It's an incredibly modern concept to shower/bathe every day, you can be sure that in the 50s/60s people didn't, and I doubt they all stank.

My very elderly grandmother switched to what she calls an 'army wash' (because that's what they used to have to do when she was in the forces in WW2) about 5 years ago, where she washes with a flannel and never showers/bathes, and she smells lovely and has no skin issues. Her hair gets washed once a week when the hairdresser comes - never greasy.

I don't think it's gross at all as long as you are aware of your personal situation - if you are someone with greasy hair or BO issues, it's not worth it. If your partner thinks it's gross though you should take that into consideration as he does have to touch you and share a bed with you...

apooagnuandyou · 22/04/2021 16:57

I would see a dermatologist if I was you!

It's usually quicker and less faff to have a shower than a strip wash, and I like having a shower every day before bed, and usually one in the morning especially after a workout. It would drive me nuts to have to stop.

It's not necessarily gross, but sounds like a pain and washing becoming a chore.

User33445 · 22/04/2021 17:11

I couldn’t do it I’d hate to have a smelly fanny.

queenatom · 22/04/2021 17:12

My husband doesn't shower daily for the same reason - his skin gets horribly dry and itchy and eventually starts splitting. Because he's naturally so dry, he doesn't get greasy, and he isn't a particularly sweaty person. He doesn't usually smell and if he does start to I tell him straight away. He does give the key parts a sink wash daily.

That said, if you can see a dermatologist, that might not be a bad idea - they might be able to offer some assistance!

sunflowersandbuttercups · 22/04/2021 17:18

It depends on how active you are.

I walk dogs for a living so I regularly walk 10-20km each day - I come home sweaty and covered in drool, sweat and hair - I need a shower Grin

Crankley · 22/04/2021 17:29

For all those horrified by the thought of not bathing every day, I haven't had a bath or shower for nearly five years. I won't go into gory details but both of my legs have about five layers of bandaging which get changed by the nurse once a week. So the rest of me is washed by several flannels which wash different bits of my body. It takes a great more effort than sitting in a bath or standing under a shower.

Kierkegaardslover · 22/04/2021 17:35

I shower every other day, it's scientifically proven to better for your skin and hair, as overwashing can cause loss of oils and essential skin bacteria. Just shower every other day!

PattyPan · 22/04/2021 17:38

I don’t shower every day for the same reason. I shower every couple of days and time it with when I exercise. I agree with the poster who said listen to your skin, your skin is telling you that it needs its natural oils.