From Age 65, How Often Should You Shower? (And Why Over-Washing Can Be Harmful to Your Health) | November 10, 2025

From a certain age, even the most routine actions deserve careful thought. One of the simplest—taking a shower—could actually be harming your skin without you realizing it. What if we told you that after 65, you shouldn’t shower every day? Surprising, right? But it’s a recommendation backed by experts.

Why Skin Changes with Age

A Body That Grows, Skin That Refines

As we age, our skin loses some of its natural strengths. Collagen, elastin, and sebum—the elements that keep our skin firm, supple, and protected—gradually decrease.

Think of the skin barrier like a knight’s shield: over time, it becomes thinner and more fragile. External aggressors such as pollution, cold, and chemicals can penetrate more easily. And believe it or not, showering too frequently can actually make this worse.

Too Many Showers = Drying Out Your Skin

Hot Water and Harsh Soaps Can Harm Mature Skin

Showering feels good—refreshing, energizing, even ritualistic. But when the water is too hot and the products too harsh, we strip away more than just dirt: we damage the skin’s natural protective layer.

For people over 65, this can cause redness, tightness, itching, and even minor infections. Over-washing also disrupts the skin’s microbiome—the invisible layer of good bacteria that helps protect against harmful microbes.

The Ideal Frequency: 2 to 3 Showers Per Week

 

 

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