You Probably Don’t Need to Shower

As we learn more about the relationship between the microbiome and our health, some scientists and journalists have begun weaning themselves from cosmetic products like soap and shampoo. In taking away the bad bacteria, we could be losing too much of the good.

In this episode of If Our Bodies Could Talk—the final in a three-part miniseries on the microbiome—senior editor James Hamblin investigates the health of the microbes on our skin. 

[rsacode]

If you have eczema (the dry kind), doctors actually recommend only using water to wash your face and only showering every other day unless you become particularly sweaty. I still do this even though my skin is fine as an adult.

[tealnaiad]

I just did this same experiment for two weeks, however I would work hard, sweat a lot and then take a dip in the local lake. I did not smell bad. My skin had a natural softness. My purpose was to try to improve my health by improving my skin micro biome.

[cablecar]

0:52 "Oh my God, a 12 year old just broke into my house."

[chrisklugh]

Been doing this for years. No shampoo, but I buzz my hair. I only soap my genitals and use it to wash my hands with. I shower ever 2 to 3 days, but like them long and hot to bring on a bit of a steam room effect. I can gently use my finger nails to scrub off the top lay of skin on my face (probably could do the whole body...) and I believe that has contributed to my baby face. I'm 33. Oh, and I don't use shaving cream. I shave in the shower every time and I my blades last for a few months.

Wow... Can't believe I shared that with the internet...

[turbonbc]

Been washing with water only and sometimes using only organic and natural moisturizers like aloe vera, magnesium oils, hemp oils, coconut oil, essential oils ect.. for the last few years my skin and health has never been better. Also whole plant-based diet/lifestyle plaid a huge role in this shift in health. I shower maybe once every few weeks to a few days at most. Never felt cleaner. No need for products. Get some dirt on them feet daily and get some sunlight on that skin :) NOTE: To absorb vitamin D Optimally you must not shower for 48hours at least.

[BBB-tocc]

I've always said "if humans were wild, our biggest weapon against predators would be our terrible smell" but maybe not if we had natural bacteria keeping that in balance. Interesting video!

[aderek]

I believe studies have shown that the largest determinant of how clean your hands will be when washing them in a sink is time spent rubbing them together under flowing water. Maybe these people have just discovered that the same is true of showering/bathing the whole body without soap and other cleansers.

It would be interesting to see large studies including groups that never showered, only stood in the shower water but with no rubbing, showering without soap but with rubbing, and standard showering with soap. Each group would also have sub groups without the bacterial sprays, with the bacterial sprays, and with placebo sprays.

[mattmonta]

"i saw on a commercial though that you need to get those little swab things and carry them in your pocket... to wash the oil off... otherwise no one will like you." i <3 james hamblin.

[AtticTapes]

It's about no soap, water only showers, which is good

[exerciserelax]

I'm sure there's some truth to this but I'm skeptical.
-Many homeless people, no offense, smell terrible. Why aren't their "good bacteria" working?
-Unlike our ancient ancestors, most of us wear clothes. That means parts of our body live in a dark, moist environment most of the time, perfect for things to grow, not necessarily the things we want. Naked cavemen would have sun, air flow, rain, etc. on their skin to prevent growth of organisms.
-People in traditional tribal societies today wash themselves in rivers, lakes, etc. Washing seems to be a natural human instinct.
-Most other animal species wash themselves, either with their tongues or by going into water.

[jemohseni]

This interviewer is great!! So subtle in how hillarious he is.

[SolidSiren]

I've heard of women only washing their face with water, and all of them claimed they never ever got pimples and had absolutely gorgeous skin.

[Johny]

only issue i found with this is dead skin / dust builds up in places like bedsheets very quickly so require slightly more often cleaning.

[SearchingForSounds]

I used to wash my hair and body with shampoos and shower gels 3 times a week
I used to have dandruff, dry skin and would sometimes smell.
I now shower once a week with just water
I now have no dandruff, I have normal skin and I don't smell

Who would have thought!

[yviesunshine]

Bath and Body Works disapproves this message

[ramonnagesan]

Gotta love when he just walks through her door at 0:46 and then her looked at 0:52...very odd and awkward from the looks of it.

[GiaTheSweetPotato]

I've kinda been doing this for years 😅 I only ever use soap on my hands, my privates, sometimes my armpits. All you really need for the rest of your body is water... I do use shampoo tho. But I find you can go an extra day or 2 without shampoo if you just wet your hair and blow dry it. Dry shampoo also helps.

[Trippint]

Come work outside with me in Houston, TX in August. You tell me when I need to shower when we're in the work truck lol

[JerjerB]

Maybe it's my OCD but this just made me want to take a shower right now

[jacobkhan]

There needs to be a playlist for this series