Maintaining a healthy bacterial balance in the skin is a valuable ally.
Our skin is home to billions of beneficial bacteria that form a veritable natural shield. Washing too frequently—especially with antibacterial or heavily perfumed soaps—disrupts this delicate balance. Paradoxically, skin that is “too clean” becomes more vulnerable to redness, fungal infections, and inflammation.
Doctors are now talking about “over-hygiene”. The goal is not to abandon cleanliness, but to approach it differently: favoring gentle, unscented products, and preserving the skin microbiome that protects us daily.
Two to three showers per week: the surprising recommendation
Most dermatologists and geriatricians agree on this point: after 65-70 years, two to three showers per week are more than enough, except in special cases (intense physical activity, specific medical problem).
On other days? A targeted wash is perfectly sufficient: face, hands, underarms, and a damp washcloth to refresh. Simple, effective, and much kinder to the skin. And as for soap, there’s no need to use it everywhere: underarms, groin, and feet deserve daily attention, but the rest of the body washes very well with plain water.
