Showering in the morning or evening: which is really better?

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For some, a morning shower is an indispensable ritual that gets the body and mind going. 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 addressed this everyday question, and her findings finally provide answers.

Pros of an evening shower

During the day, a lot of stuff accumulates on our skin and hair: sweat, sebum, dust, pollen, and much of it goes unnoticed when we go to bed. According to Freestone, these particles end up directly on our bedding, despite our clothing. So, those who shower in the evening bring less of these “souvenirs” with them 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, utterly independent of the room temperature. And this is precisely what microbes on our skin thrive on, multiplying rapidly overnight. Showering in the morning not only removes these uninvited guests but also dead skin cells and germs transferred from 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 – double the benefit?

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 acid mantle. The result: the good skin bacteria have a hard time fighting off odour-causing germs. This creates a vicious circle: 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 individual 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 a good idea 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.