It’s a cleanliness topic that’s likely been debated since the first shower was invented in 1767: When’s the ideal time of day to hop in the shower to give yourself a scrub? And what’s the least ideal time you can be cleaning your body? Given that bathing habits vary greatly between people—some love rolling into the shower first thing in the morning, others love a bath in the evenings, and some do it twice-per-day while others are twice-per-week—and a lot of that has to do with our work and exercise schedules, our natural body rhythms, our basic personal preferences, and our feelings about the environment.
That being said, it turns out that there are pros and cons to consider when bathing at any time of the day, and there’s a case to be made for showering whenever you prefer to. But if you’re looking for the best time to shower for optimal skin health—and to know the times that are less than ideal to be showering—read on, because we explain it all below. And whenever you you choose to bathe, do yourself a favor and make sure you’re getting
Fact: Taking an evening shower is healthier for your body—and the skin, more specifically—than a morning rinse. Whenever we shower before bed, we can rest assured knowing we’re not bringing any stowaway germs with us from the day’s activities
This Is the Time of Day When Showers Are Least Effective
Showers can be a soothing morning or nighttime ritual, and usually serve to either ease us into or out of the day. Short of a vigorous workout, however, there are few reasons to find yourself in the shower midday. You won’t benefit from the morning surge of energy, and your body will still be dirty by bedtime.
“There are few benefits to showering in the middle of the day,” Caleb Backe, health and wellness expert at Maple Holistics, explained to Bustle. “It might be just what you need to reinvigorate yourself for the rest of the day’s activities, but in terms of hygiene, it’s practically irrelevant. You have the rest of the day to expose your skin and hair to the pollutants around you before climbing into bed and spreading the germs.” And for more healthy living advice, see why Watching This Movie Will Inspire You to Be a Better Person, Says New Study.
Also: Try Not to Shower After a Big Meal
Whether you’re showering in the morning, afternoon, or evening, there’s one thing to bear in mind: If you’re looking after your digestive system, you’d be wise to wait 30 to 45 minutes after eating a big meal before you hit the showers.
When you shower, you kickstart the process of “hyperthermic action,” which is when your body’s internal temperature ticks upward by a couple of degrees. As a result, your immune system gets a boost and your sweat glands get to work helping to flush out various toxins on your body. But if you’ve got a full meal in your belly and your body begins hyperthermic action, health experts say that it can interfere with your digestion and lead to cramps, stomach ache, and heart burn.
