Dermatologists have pushed back against the double-cleanse shower trend popularised on social media, warning that many people have been over-washing their bodies for years.

The method copies facial routines by using an oil-based cleanser or balm first, then a water-based wash, and has become a staple of TikTok's ShowerTok community.

What Dermatologists Say About the Double Cleanse Shower

The double-cleanse shower has been promoted as a way to remove oil, dirt and product build-up more thoroughly than a single wash. Yet board-certified dermatologists describe it as unnecessary for the body.

Dr Olga Bunimovich, a practising dermatologist and assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh, said she was 'kind of appalled by the shower routines'.

She added: 'Not only do I not think that we need to double cleanse our skin ... people overuse soap all the time. You should not be soaping up all of your skin, period.' Instead, she advised using soap only on the groin and skin folds.

Dr Nicole Negbenebor, a dermatologic surgeon at University of Iowa Health Care, described skin as 'one of the biggest barriers you have'. Over-cleansing, she said, risks stripping natural oils and leaving the barrier vulnerable.

Double cleansing remains useful for faces that wear heavy make-up or sunscreen, but experts see no equivalent need for the rest of the body.

Why a Simple Routine Protects the Skin Barrier

A daily shower with lukewarm water and a fragrance-free hypoallergenic cleanser, followed by lotion or oil on damp skin, is sufficient for most people, according to the same specialists. Antibacterial washes can be useful in certain conditions, including hidradenitis suppurativa, but dermatologists caution that they can be too drying for routine use.

Exfoliation helps remove dead cells but should not be daily; physical scrubs and loofahs can irritate, while lactic or glycolic acid products offer a gentler option used sparingly.

Dr Lisa Akintilo, a dermatologist at NYU Langone Health, noted that many routines miss the hydration step that should follow cleansing. Over-washing can leave skin feeling tight or 'squeaky', which may indicate that the skin has been stripped of some of its natural oils.

Showers account for nearly 17 per cent of indoor household water use in the United States, an official Environmental Protection Agency figure that underscores the environmental cost of lengthy, multi-product sessions.

How Temperature and Time Affect Skin Health

Hot water and long showers further compromise the barrier by dissolving the lipids that keep moisture in. Dermatologists recommend five to ten minutes of lukewarm water for most skin types.

The average American shower lasts more than 16 minutes, well beyond what skin requires. Influencers' 'everything shower' sequences that layer oils, scrubs, multiple washes and masks have drawn particular criticism for encouraging precisely this over-exposure.

A short, targeted wash followed immediately by moisturiser while skin is still damp locks in hydration without the extra products.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the double cleanse shower trend?
    It involves using an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based wash, similar to facial routines.
  • Why do dermatologists advise against double cleansing the body?
    It can strip natural oils and compromise the skin barrier, which is unnecessary for most body areas.
  • What is a recommended shower routine for healthy skin?
    A short shower with lukewarm water, using a gentle cleanser, followed by moisturising damp skin.
  • How does hot water affect the skin?
    Hot water can dissolve lipids that keep moisture in, compromising the skin barrier.
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