Key Takeaways
Short answer
- A daily full-body shower is not medically required for most healthy people.
- In winter, cold air and indoor heating dry the skin; very hot, long showers make this worse.
- Many dermatology experts suggest short, warm showers, washing key body areas every day, and changing underwear, socks, and main clothes daily.
- Rich, simple moisturizers help protect the skin barrier after bathing.
- People with very sensitive skin or eczema should follow personal advice from a dermatologist.
Story & Details
A winter question in 2025
The year is twenty twenty-five. Winter is back in many places, from Mexico (North America) to the Netherlands (Europe). Heaters are on, air is dry, and the same old question returns: is it good or bad to take a shower when it is very cold outside?
A recent short video by dermatologist Polo Guerrero, filmed in a bright marble bathroom, puts this question in simple words. The message is calm: daily bathing is not “wrong”, but the way it is done in winter can hurt the skin if care is not taken.
What the social media doctor actually says
In the clip, the doctor talks about the parts of the body that really need daily cleaning. Hands are on the list, of course. So are the armpits and the genitals. He adds the area covered by underwear and the feet, together with the socks and underwear themselves.
The idea is clear. Even if the whole body is not washed from head to toe every single day, these high-sweat, high-bacteria zones should be washed with water and gentle soap. Fresh underwear and socks should be used every day as well. Clothing that touches these areas for many hours gathers sweat, natural body oils, and microbes. Fresh fabric helps the body feel clean even if the rest of the skin has had a lighter wash.
The doctor also explains what happens to skin in cold seasons. Indoor heating and cold wind remove water from the outer layer of the skin. Very hot showers remove the natural oils that protect that layer. The result can be flaky white lines on the legs, rough patches on the arms, chapped lips, and even red, itchy areas that look like a rash. To lower this risk, he suggests:
- using warm, not scalding, water;
- keeping the shower short;
- applying simple moisturizers on the skin after bathing;
- paying extra attention to areas that already tend to be dry.
The tone is not strict. The message is more “take care of your skin” than “you must wash in one exact way.”
How this compares with medical advice
Large medical organizations give very similar guidance.
Harvard Health Publishing in the United States (North America) notes that many adults do not need a full-body shower every day, especially if they have not sweated much or done heavy physical work. Long, hot showers and strong soaps remove the oils that help the skin hold water. This can lead to dryness, itching, and cracks that let in irritants and germs. Their advice is to keep showers short, use warm water, mild cleansers, and moisturize the skin after stepping out of the shower [1][2].
The American Academy of Dermatology, which represents many skin specialists, also warns that dry skin becomes more common in cold weather. The group recommends baths or showers of about five to ten minutes, with lukewarm water instead of very hot water. It suggests gentle, fragrance-free cleansers and a thick moisturizer applied while the skin is still a little damp. Scrubbing with rough cloths or brushes is discouraged because it can damage the skin surface [3].
Cleveland Clinic, a major hospital group, explains that there is no single “correct” number of showers per week. For many people, showering every two or three days is enough, unless they sweat a lot through exercise or work. The focus is on washing the areas that smell most, such as armpits, groin, and feet, while protecting the natural balance of the skin. Their health experts also stress the importance of lukewarm water and moisturizing afterwards, especially for those who live with eczema or very dry skin [4]. One of their video resources shows how lukewarm showers can help calm eczema flare-ups rather than making them worse [5].
Taken together, these sources strongly support the core messages of the social media clip: daily full-body showers are optional for many healthy people, but daily hygiene of key zones, moderate water temperature, short shower time, and good moisturizers are important.
A tiny Dutch language corner
Cold seasons can feel different in every country, but some words travel well. In Dutch, the language spoken in the Netherlands (Europe), the word “douche” refers to the shower itself. “Droge huid” describes dry skin, and “warme sokken” evokes the comfort of warm socks on a cold day. Remembering words like these can be a playful way to keep in mind the link between short, warm showers, well-cared-for skin, and simple winter comforts.
What this means for everyday life
For a healthy adult with no special skin problems, this mix of advice points toward a gentle routine:
Short, warm showers most days of the week are more than enough. On busy or very cold days, a quick wash of hands, armpits, genitals, and feet, plus a full change of underwear, socks, and main clothes, keeps basic hygiene in place. A soft towel pat-down and an unscented body lotion or cream help close the routine and protect the skin barrier.
Children, older adults, and people with long-term skin conditions may need different routines. Their skin can be thinner or more sensitive. In those cases, a dermatologist can give advice that matches age, health, and local climate.
Conclusions
Skin care, not shower counting
Modern life often turns hygiene into a strict rule. Many people feel guilty if they skip a daily full-body shower, even on a quiet winter day at home. Current medical guidance suggests a kinder view. What matters most is not the exact number of showers, but how the skin is treated during and after them.
Short, warm showers, clean key areas, daily fresh clothes, and a simple moisturizer form a solid base for winter care. This matches both expert advice and the calm, practical message from the social media doctor in the marble bathroom.
In the cold months of twenty twenty-five and beyond, a routine like this can help the body stay clean, the skin stay comfortable, and the bathroom stay a place of warmth instead of worry.
Selected References
[1] Harvard Health Publishing. “Showering daily — is it necessary?” Harvard Medical School, United States (North America). Available at: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/showering-daily-is-it-necessary-2019062617193
[2] Harvard Health Publishing. “11 tips to prevent dry winter skin.” Harvard Medical School, United States (North America). Available at: https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/11-tips-to-prevent-dry-winter-skin
[3] American Academy of Dermatology Association. “Dry skin: Tips for relieving.” United States (North America). Available at: https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/dry-skin-relief
[4] Cleveland Clinic. “How Often Should You Shower?” United States (North America). Available at: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-often-should-you-shower
[5] Cleveland Clinic. “Can Lukewarm Showers Soothe Eczema Flare-Ups?” YouTube video. United States (North America). Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=982DPzyq7Tw
Appendix
Dermatologist
A medical doctor who specializes in conditions of the skin, hair, and nails, including problems such as dry skin, eczema, acne, and many rashes.
Dry skin
Skin that has lost too much water or oil, often feeling rough, tight, or itchy and sometimes showing fine white lines or small cracks on the surface.
Dutch winter words
A small group of Dutch terms linked to cold days, such as “douche” for shower, “droge huid” for dry skin, and “warme sokken” for warm socks, used here as a gentle reminder of everyday winter comfort.
Eczema
A group of skin conditions that cause red, itchy, and inflamed patches, which can become worse when the skin is very dry or exposed to strong soaps and very hot water.
Lukewarm water
Water that feels comfortably warm but not hot on the skin, usually close to normal body temperature, often advised for gentle bathing and showering.
Moisturizer
A cream, lotion, or ointment that helps the skin hold water and stay soft by adding moisture and sealing it in with oils or other protective ingredients.
Shower routine
The set of regular habits used for washing the body, including how often a person bathes, which products are chosen, the water temperature, and how long each shower lasts.
Winter skin
The way skin tends to behave in cold seasons, often becoming drier and more sensitive because of cold outdoor air and heated indoor spaces that lower humidity.
My Diary - Leonardo Cardillo 