The dermatologist-approved shower routine for healthier skin

For most of us, showering is automatic. You hop in, grab whatever bottle is closest, and move through your routine without thinking twice. Shampoo, rinse, body wash, maybe conditioner somewhere in there. Done.

But your shower is more than just a daily habit. It’s one of the most important parts of your skin care routine. And small choices – like how long you stay in, what products you use, and even when you apply them – can make a real difference in how your skin looks and feels.

We sat down with Robert M. Simonds, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Intermountain Health's Downtown Clinic - Dermatology, in Billings, Montana, to break down what your skin actually needs and how to build a shower routine that supports it.

What ingredients are best for healthy skin in the shower?

Your skin has a natural barrier that helps lock in moisture and keep irritants out. When that barrier is strong, your skin feels soft, smooth, and comfortable. When it’s disrupted, you may notice dryness, itching, or irritation.

That’s why choosing the right ingredients in your cleanser matters.

“A few important product ingredients for healthy skin include ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid,” says Dr. Simonds.

These ingredients all play a role in hydration. Ceramides help repair and strengthen your skin barrier. Glycerin and hyaluronic acid pull moisture into the skin and help keep it there.

On the flip side, some products can work against you.

“As for washes, I’d try to avoid gels which often have alcohols that can promote dryness,” Dr. Simonds explains. “Creams or oil-based cleansers tend to avoid this issue.”

Is it okay to shower every day if you have dry or sensitive skin?

Many people think showering less often is better for dry or sensitive skin. Dr. Simonds hears this often from patients with eczema or irritation who try to avoid daily showers. But in most cases, that’s not necessary.

“A daily shower or bath is totally fine and can be helpful for people with dry, irritated, or even sensitive skin,” he says.

What matters most is using a routine that supports your skin barrier instead of stripping it.

What shower mistakes can dry out or irritate your skin?

Dr. Simonds says many of the shower habits people enjoy most can also be the ones that cause the most trouble for their skin.

A few of the biggest issues he sees include:

• Long, hot showers: They may feel relaxing, but they can strip away your skin’s natural oils and leave it dry or irritated.
• Heavily fragranced products: These can trigger sensitivity over time and lead to dry, irritated skin.
• Exfoliating too often: While exfoliating can help remove dead skin, too much can weaken the skin barrier instead of helping it.

Healthy skin usually comes from keeping your routine simple and not overdoing it.

What is the best shower routine for healthy skin?

“I think a simple routine would include: 10 min or less duration, washing scalp with shampoo/conditioner, followed by washing the body with gentle fragrance-free soaps,” says Dr. Simonds.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

• Start with your hair. Washing with shampoo and conditioner first lets those products rinse down your body and helps remove some surface dirt and oil before you cleanse your skin.
• Next, wash your body. Use a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser that cleans your skin without stripping away moisture.
• Finish with exfoliation, if you use it. This is not something most people need to do every time they shower. Dr. Simonds recommends limiting exfoliation to no more than twice a week. “Exfoliation is certainly easier towards the end of a shower as the skin has had time to soften in the water,” he says. “This allows you to exfoliate with less pressure and use less product overall.”

Once you step out, gently towel dry your skin, and don’t wait too long to moisturize. “After toweling off, people should try to moisturize within the next 5 minutes or so for best absorption,” says Dr. Simonds.

Moisturizing during that window helps lock in hydration before it can evaporate. He recommends using a product with ceramides, which help support the skin barrier and keep moisture in.

How should people with eczema, psoriasis, or sensitive skin shower?

If you have eczema, psoriasis, or sensitive skin, it helps to be a little more careful in the shower. Skin that is already dry or irritated can react more easily to heat, long showers, and fragranced products.

“For people with eczema, psoriasis, or just sensitive skin in general – a couple changes are important,” says Dr. Simonds.

Keep showers short, ideally 5 to 10 minutes. “If you’re showering longer, you can impair your skin barrier function, which can make these sensitive skin issues worse,” he says.

It also helps to skip heavily fragranced products. Soaps and body washes with strong scents can irritate skin and make dryness worse.

When should you see a dermatologist about your skin?

Most people can improve their skin with small changes to their shower routine, like using gentler products, taking shorter showers, and moisturizing right after. But if your skin still feels dry, irritated, or uncomfortable, it may be time to take a closer look.

At Intermountain Health, our board-certified dermatologists diagnose and treat a wide range of skin conditions – from everyday concerns like acne and rashes to more serious issues like psoriasis and skin cancer. Your skin is your body’s largest organ, and taking care of it plays an important role in your overall health.

If you’re dealing with ongoing dryness, frequent flare-ups, or changes in your skin that don’t improve, a dermatologist can help you understand what’s going on and build a plan that works for you. That might include targeted treatments, guidance on products, or preventive care like annual skin exams.

To learn more or find a dermatologist near you, visit our Dermatology page.