Sometimes there is such a thing as being too clean | by Micah Wilkins

This over-clean method of personal hygiene, is not always the best, however. Over-washing kills the good bacteria that our body needs while harming the skin by drying it out.  Research shows that the skin and hair benefit from being washed less frequently, as the body maintains its good bacteria and natural oils. 

Showering

According to Dr. Beatriz Coquilla-Canete, a staff dermatologist  at the Veterans’ Affairs Medical Center in Kansas City, natural oils on the body help the skin from drying out. 

“Showering daily dries the skin more,” she said. “So I tell my patients to take short, cooler showers, and if possible, shower every other day, or even every third day.”

In addition, according to Dr. Coquilla-Canete, some strong products and soaps have negative effects on the skin.

“You can get an irritant contact dermatitis from using [certain types of] soap or detergent,” she said. 

Washing your hair

According to Dr. Coquilla-Canete, hair benefits from being washed less often.

“Not washing your hair too often again retains the natural oils on our skin,” Dr. Coquilla-Canete said. 

 These natural oils contain hormones, vitamins and other natural elements that are good for the hair and skin. In addition, many oils help the skin by killing germs, beauty expert Natalie Katsman.

“Many oils have anti-bacterial properties, thus helping to reduce infections in sensitive or damaged skin,” Katsman said.

Anti-bacterial gels

There exists bacteria on our ski that is virtually harmless, according to Dr. Coquilla-Canete.

“There is what we refer to as the ‘normal flora’ of organisms on the skin,” Dr. Coquilla-Canete said.   “They don’t do any harm or cause an infection of the skin.”

These and other anti-bacterial products fight off the good bacteria in our bodies, according to AssociatedContent.com. Overusing these gels could do more harm than good.

“[Products] we use to wage war of the evil bacteria and viruses also kills off the good bacteria,” the article states. “Good bacteria is like the bacteria that fights off other bacteria in your body so that things stay in balance and the bad bacteria stays in check.”

According to Dr. Coquilla-Canete, anti-bacterial gels are not as affective as soap and warm water.

“I’m not a fan of anti-bacterial gels,” she said.  “I don’t think these gels are bactericidal [kill bacteria].  Hand washing is much better.”