A debate from the popular blog page Baller Alert has caused an internet divide. The topic? The best time to shower. While everyday people are divided on their choices, doctors say it's up to their preference. Here are some pros on morning and night showers from The Cleveland Clinic:
Pros to showering in the morning
Should you shower at night or in the morning? If you need help waking up before you start your day, showering in the morning may be for you. Here are some of the pros of showering in the a.m.:
- It cleanses your body. Your bed linens have residual skin cells, sweat and bacteria. “By showering in the morning, you’re cleaning yourself up before you put on a fresh pair of clothes and go out into the day,” says Dr. Vij.
- It helps you feel awake. A steady stream of water helps to wake you up and makes you feel more alert. “I shower in the morning to really wake up, to feel alive,” relates Dr. Vij. “I just don’t feel like myself if I’m starting my day without having a clean, freshly scrubbed face.”
- It preps your skin for skin care. Washing your face in the shower can help with your skin care routine. “It helps to make sure that you have all of your makeup off from yesterday, before you start putting on your toners or your sunscreen for the new day,” says Dr. Vij.
- It combats bedhead. Your scalp produces oil throughout the day. And the oil coats your hair, keeping strands shiny and lustrous. “But when combined with pressure and your head resting in your pillow, those oils can change your hair or mat your hair down so it’s harder to style,” explains Dr. Vij. “Washing your hair in the morning will help you get a fresh ’do’ for your day.”
Pros to showering in the evening
A fan of showering at night? It may be something you’ve done your entire life.
“One of the recommendations from the Society of Pediatric Dermatology and the American Academy of Pediatrics is for parents to bathe their kids at night from infancy to help establish a normal sleep cycle,” explains Dr. Vij.
Here are some of the pros of showering in the p.m.:
- It removes grime and dirt. “A shower helps to wash off all the grit and grime, environmental toxins and pollutants that might negatively impact your skin,” shares Dr. Vij.
- It eases you to sleep. As mentioned, showering at night can be part of your nighttime routine and helps you get a good night’s sleep. “That emotional conditioning is a big pro for some people,” notes Dr. Vij.
- It removes residual skin care products. In addition to removing any grime and dirt from your body, showering at night helps to remove skin care products such as sunscreen that you’ve applied throughout the day. “It helps you get in bed with a clean slate,” says Dr. Vij.
If you have eczema, you may have heard that showering at night is better. But Dr. Vij says it’s really a personal preference.
“For people with eczema or sensitive skin, it’s recommended that you apply your daily moisturizers and any topical prescription or over-the-counter products twice a day,” clarifies Dr. Vij. “And it’s not necessarily better to shower at night or morning, as long as you’re using gentle cleansers, moisturizers and prescription products as recommended.”
So, which do you prefer and why? A morning or night shower?