The 1 Common Hygiene Habit To Break if You’re Over 50

For many of us, showering feels like a pretty simple, straightforward part of the day. Every night (or morning), you turn on the water, hop in, scrub your body, wash your hair and dry off, right? Yes—and no. First of all, many people shower in the wrong order, dermatologists say, which can prohibit them from getting fully clean. That’s not to a huge extent or a big deal, but it’s also not ideal (or maybe what you thought would happen).

To add to the surprising complexities of showering, there’s also the fact that showering in the morning has different benefits than showering at night, meaning you may need to change your routine a bit. Additionally, when it comes to shower products to avoid, don’t forget to ditch bar soap. As harmless as it may seem, bar soap can be harsh on the skin and strip your body of its natural oils.

Last but not least (for now), do you really need to shower every day? According to dermatologists, no—especially if you’re over 50 years old. It can actually outright hurt your skin and cause problems. For more expert-backed insight into why people over 50 shouldn’t shower every day, some showering dos and don’ts and other skin care tips, read on.

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Why Doctors Are Urging People Over 50 To Stop Showering Daily

“As we get older, our skin tends to produce less oil, and it becomes thinner as we lose collagen,” says Dr. Nicole Negbenebor, MD, a dermatologic surgeon at the University of Iowa Health Care. (Collagen is one of the body’s proteins.) “This makes it easier for our skin to dry out with frequent showering.”

Dr. Brian Toy, MD, an attending dermatologist with Providence Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, California, explains further. “Many soaps strip the skin of its natural oils, which help keep it lubricated,” he says.

Additionally, as we age, our sebaceous glands (which lubricate the skin naturally) become less active. “As these sebaceous glands become less active, the skin becomes drier, particularly on the face and legs,” Dr. Toy adds.

Related: The 20 Best Facial Cleansers for Aging Skin, Tested by Dermatologists and Makeup Artists

Other skin exacerbators include long, hot showers (they rinse off protective oils more quickly) and certain soaps, such as deodorant soaps and antibacterial soaps. So if and when you shower, especially daily, keep your showers short, lukewarm and accompanied by gentle soap.

Ignoring that advice can be somewhat serious. “These changes are irreversible,” Dr. Toy says.

How Often to Shower if You’re Over 50

As mentioned, daily showering is probably a no-no if you’re over 50 (especially if you’re also sedentary). If that’s you, how often should you shower, then?

“Showering frequency should be determined by the amount of sweat and body odor that one produces, [as] well as the level of physical activity,” Dr. Toy says. “This can vary dramatically from person to person and can vary with the weather.”

What might that look like in practice? According to Dr. Toy, a senior who doesn’t leave the house in the cold winter may only need to shower twice a week. However, an active senior living in Florida might need to shower twice a day during the hot, humid summer.

Related: ‘I’m 85 and in the Best Shape of My Life—Here’s the Exact Workout Routine I Swear By’

“From a medical standpoint, there is no single answer,” he adds.

Generally, Dr. Negbenebor recommends around two to three times a week, or every other day, if you have dry skin. “People can still spot-clean certain areas, such as the underarms, groin, etc., in between their full-body shower days,” she clarifies. But again, that’s for less-dirty days. If you get sweaty or dirty, she encourages showering as necessary with soap and warm (not hot) water.

Other Skin Care and Skin Health Tips for People Over 50 Years Old

Both dermatologists emphasize moisturizing the skin after patting it dry (leaving it a little damp). This helps “‘lock in’ the moisture,” according to Dr. Negbenebor. She recommends a gentle and fragrance-free option that doesn’t have a ton of additives. As you get older, she adds, you may need to switch to a thicker cream or ointment.

Dr. Toy encourages people to moisturize every day. “Moisturizing is [just a] temporary solution for dry skin,” he says. “Therefore, it must be done on a daily basis.”

Related: 11 Best Clean Moisturizers for Women Over 50, According to a Professional Makeup Artist

This is all an illustration of how bodies will inevitably change, and the type of care they need will change, too. When you’re taking care of your aging body in new ways—like changing the vitamins you take, perhaps—don’t forget to adjust how often you shower (and how you shower), too. Just because it’s an unexpected tip doesn’t mean it’s not true.

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Sources

• Dr. Brian Toy, MD, is an attending dermatologist with Providence Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, California.

This story was originally published by Parade on Mar 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the Health & Wellness section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.