Showering in the morning or evening: which is better?

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For some, a morning shower is an indispensable ritual that invigorates the body and mind. For others, warm water in the evening is the perfect end to a long day—relaxing, cleansing, and promoting sleep. But who is right? Microbiologist Primrose Freestone from the University of Leicester has investigated this everyday question, and her findings finally provide answers.

Pro evening shower

During the day, a lot of things accumulate on our skin and hair: sweat, sebum, dust, and pollen, and much of it goes unnoticed when we go to bed. According to Freestone, these particles end up directly on the bedding, despite our clothing. So if you shower in the evening, you bring fewer of these “souvenirs” with you under the covers.

Plus point: Warm water in the evening calms the body, lowers the circulation, and promotes sleep. The ideal relaxation kick after a long day, especially after sports or physical work.

Pro morning shower

But even the night is not a clean place: we sweat, regardless of the room temperature. And this is precisely what microbes on our skin thrive on, multiplying rapidly overnight. Those who shower in the morning not only remove these uninvited guests but also dead skin cells and germs transferred from the bedding.

Another advantage: if you sweat a lot at night, you run the risk of getting small pimples—showering in the morning helps significantly. In addition, a cool morning shower has the same effect as an espresso for the skin: it refreshes, activates, and wakes you up.

Double showering—twice as good?

You might think: shower in the morning and evening, and the problem is solved. But be careful: dermatologists warn against excessive use of soap and hot water. This damages the skin’s natural protective acid mantle. The result: the good skin bacteria struggle to fight off odor-causing germs. A vicious circle ensues: you start to smell more quickly and therefore shower even more often.

The best time: It depends

There is no clear right or wrong answer—it depends on your daily routine and personal needs. If you spend a lot of time outdoors during the day, do physical work, or are prone to allergies to dust and pollen, it is advisable to shower in the evening. On the other hand, if you sweat heavily at night or find it challenging to get going in the morning, you will benefit more from a refreshing morning shower.