What is “No bathing”: discover the benefits of not showering every day

Many people take it for granted that we should take a shower every day. The “no bathing” trend questions this dogma with arguments based on health and sustainability.

It is obvious that the daily shower is a luxury of societies with access to resources and that the majority of humanity cannot afford it. Defenders of “no bathing” consider that it is a waste of water and that the skin does not benefit either so much hygiene

No bathing: save energy

Those who shower less or hardly at all save energy and water. That’s understandable. Every minute of showering represents about 20 liters of water they go down the drain. In 10 minutes they can be no less than 200 liters; and 1,400 liters in a week and 5,600 liters a month. These are figures that could make us reflect.

Besides, a shower consumes almost four kWh of energy. With just one kWh you can wash a load of laundry or prepare 70 cups of coffee. Therefore, “no bathing” could have a considerable impact in saving resources, energy and money.

No bathing: is it better for your skin?

The daily shower is accompanied by the assumption that it is good for the skin and health. But has anyone worried about the skin microbiota? The dermis is inhabited by different species of bacteria that must live in balance to prevent infections and skin problems. This microbiota has to recover after the stress that each shower represents.

In addition, the shower not only removes traces of sweat and dirt, but also removes part of the fat that is part of the superficial layers of the skin, especially if gels with detergents are used. Due the skin loses its ability to retain moisture and becomes dry to the point that it can cause unpleasant itching and a feeling of tightness. It also makes you more vulnerable to infection.

How many showers is enough?

Does that mean you should wash as little as possible from now on? Not necessarily. Not showering at all can be just as bad for your skin as excessive hygiene. Physical dirt and dead skin cells should not accumulate, but should be removed with regular washing.

How often you should shower depends on your skin condition and your lifestyle. No bathing proposes that one to three showers a week is usually enough for the following people:

Children.People with sensitive skin.People prone to dry skin and eczema.People who spend most of their time indoors and don’t get much exercise.

Instead, washing more frequently (5 to 7 showers a week, for example) makes sense for these people:

Small children from the age of crawling.People who sweat profusely due to weather conditions and/or physical activity.People whose work makes it dirty.

No bathing: tips and advice

If you want to try “no bathing”, You can consider the following tips as a guide:

As a general rule, if you see dirt on your skin or if you’ve been sweating profusely, it’s a good idea to shower.. Otherwise, one to three showers a week is completely sufficient.On days without a shower, you can wash your face, armpits and genital area, for example, with the hands or in the bidet.Never take a shower with too hot water, since it dries the skin more than warm water.Shower for as short a time as possible no more than five minutes.Shower gel or soap can help clean underarms and feet, but they are not essential to the rest of the body.Try to avoid irritating ingredients, such as perfume, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and polyethylene glycols (PEGs). Gels with a natural or organic certificate are free of these substances.If you shower more than 1-3 times a week, it may be a good idea to apply a natural moisturizer. after washing.