Frequent handwashing, daily laundry and obsessive cleaning are not always necessary, while phones, makeup brushes and kitchen sponges often get overlooked; dermatologist explains what to clean, how often and when less is actually betterMaya Benita|In the age of cleaning influencers and elaborate skincare routines, it is easy to assume that cleaner is always better. But when it comes to both our skin and our homes, that is not necessarily true.Dr. Efrat Bar-Ilan, a dermatologist and senior pediatric dermatologist in Clalit Health Services’ Dan-Petah Tikva district, says the goal should not be to live in a sterile environment. “Over-cleaning the skin can damage its protective barrier and cause dryness and irritation, while there are objects we touch every day and sometimes forget to clean,” she said.Gallery(Photo: Shutterstock)“Proper hygiene does not necessarily mean cleaning more but rather knowing what really needs to be cleaned, how often and when it is actually better to do less.” So where can you ease up, and what deserves more attention?Can you shower less?
A long, hot shower may feel like the best way to get truly clean, especially in winter. But more time and hotter water are not necessarily better for your skin.“Long showers in very hot water and soaps containing fragrances can damage the skin’s natural protective barrier,” Dr. Bar-Ilan said. “The result can be dryness, itching and sometimes a worsening of atopic dermatitis.”She recommends shorter showers with lukewarm water, particularly for children and people with dry or sensitive skin. Those with atopic dermatitis should use fragrance-free soap or a cleansing oil designed for sensitive skin. “And there is no need to scrub the body with a loofah, certainly not during every shower,” she added.Is washing your hair every day a problem?
