Showering in the morning or evening: what scientists really recommend

Showers are an essential part of everyday life. After all, it's a good way to maintain personal hygiene while using less water than a bath. At least, when it's not too long. In fact, Gen Z (between 18 and 27) spends the most time under the water (around 21 minutes), while older people spend just 5 minutes.

The best time to shower

Nevertheless, should this (almost) daily gesture be performed in the morning or in the evening? Some people can't imagine starting their day without a shower, while others prefer to wait until it's dark. What do the doctors say? The answer is... it all depends on living conditions.

In fact, it's preferable to take an evening shower if :

• You have dry skin, since the skin's permeability is greater in the evening, allowing it to better absorb moisture.
• You get very dirty during the day to remove pollutants, allergens and sweat from your skin.
• You have trouble falling asleep, since a session under hot water activates the body's cooling process, sending the signal to fall asleep.

Conversely, it's better to do it in the morning if :

• You have difficulty getting up, since the sensation of air on damp skin creates a response from the sympathetic nervous system, stimulating alertness.
• You have oily skin, since the shower will remove what clogs the skin's pores and causes reactions, including pimples.
• We start the day with exercise, to remove sweat and bacteria from the skin that can create friction reactions.

So there's no universal recipe for the best time to shower. It all depends on your life cycle. Nevertheless, experts suggest that it should be regular (especially if you get very dirty every day) and ideally at the same time of day, so that it fits in with your circadian cycle.

Illustration: Shutterstock - 637518553

References

Is it better to shower at night or in the morning? - https://shopping.yahoo.com/general/article/is-it-better-to-shower-at-night-or-in-the-morning-173220810.html

Before-bedtime passive body heating by warm shower or bath to improve sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31102877/

Cyclic shower: the shower of the future? - https://cursus.edu/fr/34720/douche-cyclique-la-douche-du-futur

Gen Z-ers spend the longest time in the shower, new poll reveals. - https://www.usdermatologypartners.com/press-media/gen-z-ers-spend-the-longest-time-in-the-shower-new-poll-reveals/

Showering daily -- is it necessary? - https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/showering-daily-is-it-necessary-2019062617193

Morning vs. Evening Showers: Which Is Better? Experts Say 'Consistency Is Key' [Health Talk] - https://en.fnnews.com/news/202512302104071587

Why do shower curtains stick to your skin? - https://cursus.edu/fr/12186/pourquoi-le-rideau-de-douche-colle-t-il-a-la-peau