Morning or Evening Shower: Which Is Better for Your Health?
If you're used to starting your morning with a shower, it might be time to reconsider your routine. According to doctors, while a morning shower can wake up your senses, it may not be the best choice for your skin, sleep, and overall health.
Dr. Giuseppe Aragona explains that throughout the day, allergens from the air, dirt, sweat, and various irritants accumulate on the body and hair—especially during spring and summer months when pollen concentrations are higher and we sweat more. If we don’t shower in the evening, all these impurities transfer to our bedding.
"This not only contributes to dirty sheets and potential nighttime allergies but can also cause skin irritation, itching, dryness, and even acne due to the oils and grime left on pillowcases and sheets," he told Glamour UK, as reported by Index.hr.
Dr. Jason Singh agrees, explaining on TikTok how an evening shower can improve sleep quality, cleanse the skin of pollutants, and aid hydration. A warm shower stimulates melatonin production—the hormone that signals the body it’s time for sleep.
"In the evening, the body naturally begins to cool down, which is part of preparing for sleep. A warm shower, followed by drying off with a towel, mimics this process and makes it easier to fall asleep," explains Dr. Singh.
Evening showers are especially beneficial for people with sensitive or dry skin
His claims are supported by a 2019 meta-analysis of 17 studies, which showed that evening showers in warm water significantly improve sleep quality. Evening showers are particularly soothing for people with sensitive or dry skin, acne, or eczema. At that time, Dr. Singh says, the skin is more prone to regeneration and retains moisture better—meaning an evening shower can encourage natural skin recovery.
Of course, morning showers aren’t useless, especially if you want to refresh after sweating or improve morning hygiene. But when it comes to skin care and sleep quality—the evening shower has the edge.
