Not showering every day?

silverlining48

Given we used to have a bath just once a week I am sure showering every day is a choice, not a necessity ( unless it’s been very hot). Try cutting down and use just water, see what you think. I only use soap on my hands never my face. I don’t use deodorant either and I don’t smell or feel grubby.
Or at least no one has said anything to the contrary and I know they woukd….

Exactly … I find showering exhausting. I have longish hair and always wash my hair at the same time. I’m 78 with Heath issues and not too active. I love a bath but haven’t been able to have one for years now as I can get in , but not get out easily, and my bath/shower is not able to be modified. I’d need a new complete bathroom to rectify that and I can’t afford one.
So I shower …. Occasionally. Every day is ridiculous in my view unless you are doing things that make you sweaty and dirty surely!

I would say we actually shouldn't shower every day. It's not necessary. There are only certain bits that need washing every day (or more) Wherever I have lived in my adult life I've managed to get a bidet installed. But I would never think to scrub my arms and legs every day. Having said that, I rarely miss my daily shower, as it makes me feel fresher, and it's pleasurable.

Never use soap or shower gel for dry skin, even if the advertising entreats you to, something like an aqueous cream will help but do be careful it can make the floor of the shower slippy, cooler showers and less of them does help. A good friend after three months in a hospital bed has had very dry flaky skin, we have tried the aqueous method after much persuasion ( as a Sanex/Doveperson b4) and skin is much improved.

It's fortunate that you can't see me, as you wouldn't take any notice of this note if you had!
I don't pretend to be knowledgeable re skin care, but I do keep coming across articles that stress the need to keep yourself hydrated internally. For a couple of days I remember and make sure I drink more water, then slip back into old habits, so don't know whether it makes a difference!

tanith Decades of social conditioning has meant that many of us are convinced that we'll have the dreaded (whisper it) BO if we don't shower or take a bath every day. I was advised decades ago by my GP not to use soap or shower gel on my 'bits'! It's too drying.
Post menopause, our secondary sexual characteristics e.g. body hair, pheromones in sweat etc. tend to diminish. It's different if you're on HRT, of course. If you're sexually active, a man, or sleep in the same bed as a man, it's probably considerate to take a quick shower every day. None of those applies to me so I save myself money and save the world's water and energy by showering only a couple of times a week. No one has shunned me so far... 😇

I read somwhere that a handful of oats in a warm, not hot, bath, helps with all things 'skin' including soothing sunburn.

Did she mean DERMATOLOGIST?😁

*mabon1 as best we could!

How do you think we managed before most people have showers? Strip wash did just fine, there is no need to shower every day.

AND I shower daily

I have very sensitive skin and only use QV gentle wash on my skin. I also moisturise either with CeraVe cream or aqueous cream from Boots. My dry skin is in a lovely condition.

NfkDumpling
I was told by a demonologist friend many years ago that showering or bathing daily takes all the natural oils from the skin. So I don't! Yes, I do wash the essential bits, but most of my skin only gets a shower a couple of times a week and I enjoy a soak in a hot bath once a week. I don't use body lotions. I asked my DC if I stank, and apparently not! Even after three days although my hair is getting desperate by then.

I do much the same as you, though when I was working I showered more because of commuting in stifling trains.

tanith

I’ve showered every day sometimes twice on a hot day for as long as I can remember. I’m 75 and the skin on my arms and legs especially is so dry despite moisturising it’s flakey. I’m wondering if perhaps showering less often or not washing my limbs with soap just water might help alleviate the dryness.
Trouble is I know I’m going to feel grubby not showering.
Any thoughts?

I shower every day but use a body wash that leaves a moisturising feel on my skin. It is called Nivea in shower body moisturiser skin conditioner. After showering with your normal showering gel, rub the Nivea all over your body and then rinse off with warm water and dry yourself. It worked wonders for me.

oilatum or double base are very good non-drying soap substitutes. I started using them when I noticed my legs becoming too dry below the knee, the skin there becomes thinner and is prone to a nasty eczema which can open the skin. Once there is an open area then it can take months to heal and needs to be dressed daily

So I bought the above two items and also epiderm ointment, which I use every night without fail. The aim is to maintain the skin barrier and make it as supple as possible. Showering with soap and hot water is very bad for skin but young skins can cope better

Another `miracle` for the skin is castor oil, definitely only on the skin. I use that as body moisturiser before bed. You need very little, it is thick and sticky but gives superb results

Vintagewhine

Yes Cera ve is good and can be bought over the counter. I got mine from Boots.

👍

I don’t think NfkD realised her typo! 😂

Buy a bottle of dry oil & spray yourself after your shower. I use on my arms and legs most days. It's certainly cured my snowstorm shins and it smells lovely too.

Yes Cera ve is good and can be bought over the counter. I got mine from Boots.

Bellasnana

My dermatologist was shocked at the dryness of my skin. She recommended Cera Ve cream. Don’t know if you can get it in the UK but it really has made a difference. It absorbs well and isn’t sticky or greasy.

The GP prescribed that for DH.

My dermatologist was shocked at the dryness of my skin. She recommended Cera Ve cream. Don’t know if you can get it in the UK but it really has made a difference. It absorbs well and isn’t sticky or greasy.

I can recommend Oliva soap.. pure olive oil soap... I promise you wont smell of olive oil!! Very mild and gentle. I have no need for moisturiser since starting to use it, my skin has never been in better condition.
Holland and Barratt stock it, but it is availanle on Amazon too... big savings on bulk buy if you decide you like it.

2 years ago could shower 3 times a week but since then can only manage once a week. I have a fold down shower chair bolted to the tiles I use with padded back and seat legs on front and fold down arms . I shower every Sunday morning because I find showering and getting dry exhausting plus having to put on Dermol 500 lotion as having jaundice in 2017 damaged my skin. Use dry shampoo mid week and flannel wash everyday day.

But I am always clean and never smell.

Shower nearly everyday, use Hydromol on PPs and Aesop soap under arms and feet. And a good moisturiser on legs afterwards, not a highly scented one.

Don’t use soap on PPs - I was told those bits only need water because they clean themselves

I shower every day, warm not hot water, proper soap and E45 cream to moisturise.
I love nice soaps 😊