Guess I've been doing the wrong thing my entire life

The debate over whether to shower in the morning or at night has raged on for years, with passionate advocates on both sides. Some swear by the invigorating rush of a morning rinse to kickstart the day, while others cherish the soothing ritual of an evening shower to unwind.

But according to a growing number of medical experts, showering at night might just have the upper hand—and one doctor is making a bold claim: everyone should always shower at night instead of in the morning. Here’s why, backed by the opinions of several physicians and a breakdown of the key benefits.

Dr. Aragona Giuseppe, a general practitioner and medical advisor at Prescription Doctor, is a vocal proponent of nighttime showers. He argues that while morning showers are popular for their ability to “awaken the senses and refresh you ready for the day ahead,” the benefits of showering at night far outweigh this single perk. “A nighttime shower is considered best for cleanliness and for promoting a good night’s sleep,” he told Glamour UK. Dr. Giuseppe emphasizes that washing away the day’s grime before bed isn’t just a luxury—it’s a health necessity.

Dr. Jason Singh, a primary care physician in Virginia, echoes this sentiment. In a widely viewed TikTok video, he declared, “Overall, nighttime showers have more benefits to it, but morning showers have really one benefit, and that’s better hygiene.” Singh points out that while a morning shower can cleanse the sweat and bacteria accumulated overnight, nighttime showers offer a broader range of advantages that tip the scales in their favor.

Dermatologist Dr. Alok Vij from the Cleveland Clinic adds another layer to the discussion, noting that the timing of your shower can be a personal choice—but nighttime showers align with certain physiological benefits. “One of the recommendations from the Society of Pediatric Dermatology and the American Academy of Pediatrics is for parents to bathe their kids at night from infancy to help establish a normal sleep cycle,” he explains. This conditioning can carry into adulthood, making nighttime showers a natural fit for relaxation and rest.

So, what exactly are these benefits that make nighttime showering the expert-preferred choice? Let’s break them down into four compelling reasons.

Throughout the day, your skin and hair collect a cocktail of pollutants—think airborne allergens, dirt, sweat, and even pollen, especially in warmer months. Dr. Giuseppe warns, “If you go to bed without showering, these will then transfer to your bed and sheets and may not only promote dirty bedding and nighttime allergies but could also cause itchy, irritated, and dry skin as well as facial skin issues such as acne.” A nighttime shower washes away this buildup, ensuring you climb into bed clean and keeping your sleeping environment fresher for longer. In contrast, a morning shower leaves you sleeping in the day’s grime, potentially exacerbating skin problems overnight.

One of the standout benefits of a nighttime shower, according to Dr. Singh, is its impact on sleep. “When you have a warm shower at night, it releases melatonin, which is good for your sleep,” he explains. “As you towel off, your body cools down to the appropriate temperature. These two things combined transition into better sleep.” This aligns with our body’s natural circadian rhythm, which cools down as bedtime approaches. A warm shower about 30 minutes to an hour before bed amplifies this process, helping you fall asleep faster and enjoy deeper rest—something a morning shower can’t replicate.

After a long day, your body and mind often carry tension—whether from work, exercise, or daily stress. Dr. Giuseppe highlights that a nighttime shower “relaxes you before sleeping” and “can soothe away any tensions in your shoulders caused during the day from the gym or work.” The warm water acts as a natural muscle relaxant, while the act of showering provides a mental break, signaling the end of the day’s hustle. Morning showers, while energizing, don’t offer this winding-down effect, leaving you to carry that tension into sleep.

For those with dry or sensitive skin, nighttime showers have an edge. Dr. Singh notes that showering at night “can be especially beneficial to hydrate sensitive skin” right before bed, allowing your skin to recover overnight without the immediate exposure to daytime elements like sun or pollution. Morning showers, while refreshing, don’t provide this overnight hydration window, and any moisturizing benefits may be lost to the day’s wear and tear.

It’s worth noting that morning showers aren’t without merit. Dr. Singh acknowledges their hygiene benefit: “Your body can accumulate germs such as bacteria and fungus through processes like sweating and shedding skin cells overnight. Morning showers cleanse this residue, bringing the skin microbiome back to a more hygienic baseline.” Dr. Vij adds that for some, the energizing jolt of a morning rinse—especially a cold one—can be a game-changer for starting the day alert. But when stacked against the multifaceted advantages of nighttime showers, experts argue the morning routine falls short.

While Dr. Giuseppe boldly claims everyone should always shower at night, other experts like Dr. Vij temper this with a nod to personal preference. “There’s no definitive answer for the global population on whether to take an evening versus morning shower,” Vij says. “But for each individual, there tends to be a right answer based on preference.” If your goal is cleaner bedding, better sleep, and healthier skin, the evidence leans heavily toward nighttime showers. Still, if you’re a die-hard morning shower fan, the experts won’t judge—though they might gently suggest you give the evening routine a try.

So, next time you’re debating when to hop in the shower, consider the expert consensus: night might just be the right time to rinse off the day and set yourself up for a healthier, more restful tomorrow.