Whatever your choice, squeeze or rub soap or shower gel on to a loofah, washcloth, or, if you prefer, just your hands, and lather over your body. Start at your neck and shoulders before working your way down. Don't neglect your legs and be sure to get right between your toes with soap and water.
It's actually better to use one because: A washcloth can rub off excess skin cells, oil, and dirt that a soapy hand can't. A washcloth can cover more surface area than a hand can.
"Adult skin can be washed every day, but only if using these guidelines: short showers, lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser," she says. "Aggressive, daily cleaning techniques will cause skin to break down, flaring atopic dermatitis, eczema, and often causing uncomfortable itchy, red skin."
In fact, LovelySkin CEO and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Joel Schlessinger recommends cleansing skin with your hands over a shower loofah or washcloth.
Like a washcloth, a loofah provides gentle exfoliation, helping to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores. However, loofahs are also more abrasive than washcloths, and can be too rough for people with sensitive skin or to use on the daily.
Showering the right way
Avoid taking excessively long showers or baths that can strip away oils from your skin's outer layer. Keep showers at about 10 minutes and be sure to apply a skin moisturizer afterward. Do not shower or bathe in extremely hot water.
Personal hygiene refers to regularly washing parts of the body and hair with soap and water (including washing your hands and feet), grooming nails, facial cleanliness, covering coughs and sneezes, and menstrual hygiene. Personal hygiene practices can help you to feel fresh and healthy.
#1 Dermatologist-Recommended: Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash
Here, soybean oils and glycerin moisturize skin, while lauric acid helps reduce and treat acne-prone skin.
Antimicrobial Silicone Body Scrubber
Why we love it: Why do dermatologists recommend silicone scrubbers over loofahs? “Silicone scrubbers are generally thought to be gentle on skin, fast-drying, easy to clean, and more resistant to bacterial growth than other materials,” says Dr. Camp.
The overall verdict seems to be that washcloths aren't so detrimental to skin health that you should stop using one immediately. So if you've grown attached to your shower accoutrement, just be sure to dry it out, wash it regularly and maybe avoid using it for your face or private parts.
Whatever your choice, squeeze or rub soap or shower gel on to a loofah, washcloth, or, if you prefer, just your hands, and lather over your body. Start at your neck and shoulders before working your way down. Don't neglect your legs and be sure to get right between your toes with soap and water.
The right rule of bathing is to soak the feet first, then slowly soak up to the shoulders before finally wetting the head. This method is particularly important for those with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and migraine, as improper bathing can increase the risk of stroke.
World's 10 Cleanest Countries. Estonia tops the list as the cleanest country in the world. With an impressive score of 75.3 based on the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2024, this northern European country is recognized for its remarkable cleanliness.
Benefits to morning showers include feeling more alert in the morning, getting clean after a workout, and washing off any nighttime sweat or skin cell buildup. However, showering at night may be a better option for people with skin conditions or allergies, and it can help prepare the body for sleep.
Leaving a damp cloth in the shower or bath is a no-no, as it could accumulate bacteria which can be transferred to your body the next time you use it. Doctors at the American Association of Dermatologists say “Using your hands will get your body clean and is a good option for people who have sensitive skin.”
There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Many doctors say a daily shower is fine for most people. (More than that could start to cause skin problems.) But for many people, two to three times a week is enough and may be even better to maintain good health.
Loofahs, washcloths, and scrubbers are great to use in the shower—but only if you're taking proper care of them. That means giving them the chance to dry out between uses and laundering them regularly to ensure you're getting rid of bacteria.
Body Wash. The main difference between soap and body wash is not only how they are made, but how they interact with your skin. Both soap and body wash cleanse the body, but bar soap can be harsher on the skin, and it can even be less hygienic.
Most skin types do best with one or two exfoliations a week. Let your skin tell you whether it's time to exfoliate.