Is It Better To Shower in the Morning or at Night? Here's What Experts Say

Some people couldn't imagine starting their day without a shower, saying the water helps wake them up and leaves them feeling fresh. But a social-media user has sparked a heated debate online after questioning whether morning showers actually make sense.

The discussion quickly went viral after a March 18 Reddit post shared by user McCoy818 racked up more than 15,000 upvotes at the time of writing.

Newsweek discussed the post titled, “Morning showers make no logical sense and night shower people have simply done the hygiene math,” with two dermatologists.

A Harris Poll of more than 2,000 U.S. adults, conducted in February 2024, found that, while 99 percent of Americans shower, the majority typically do so in the morning. User McCoy818 argued that showering in the morning doesn't add up from a cleanliness standpoint.

“You spent 8 hours asleep in your own clean bed. What are you washing off at 7 a.m.,” the 26-year-old asked.

The user went on to explain that showering at night removes germs and grime picked up throughout the day, including from commutes, the gym and public transport.

“A morning shower means you marinated in all of [the germs] overnight then washed up before going out to collect it all again,” the user added.

Expert Opinion: Morning vs. Night Showers

Dr. Anatalia Moore, a general practitioner and cosmetic dermatologist based in Manchester, England, told Newsweek that the debate isn't as clear-cut as many make it out to be.

“There isn't a right or wrong answer,” Moore said.

However, she added that she personally leans toward showering in the evening.

“Over the course of a day, your skin builds up sweat, pollution and general grime, and going to bed without washing that off means it ends up on your skin and your bedding. If you're prone to breakouts or sensitivity, that can catch up with you,” Moore said.

However, she added: “That said, morning showers still make sense for a lot of people. We do sweat overnight, and if you wake up feeling a bit oily or exercise first thing, a morning shower can help you feel properly fresh and ready for the day.”

Moore said that shower timing can also affect how people feel mentally, noting that an evening shower can help you switch off and unwind before bed, while a morning one can help reset before the day begins.

“In reality, it's less about the timing and more about what your skin needs. If you've been to the gym or had a long day, then shower at night. If you wake up feeling like you need one, shower in the morning. Just avoid overwashing, make sure to use gentle products and make sure you moisturize afterwards, because that's what really makes the difference to your skin,” Moore added.

The Reddit user also suggested that the appeal of morning showers is less about hygiene and more about habit.

They concluded the post: “Morning showers are a ritual for waking up, which is fine, but it is not hygiene. Night showers are actual hygiene. Most people just do not want to dry their hair before bed and that is the entire argument.”

Shamsa Kanwal, M.D. consultant, a dermatologist at My Psoriasis Team, a social network and support community for people living with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, agreed with Moore, telling Newsweek that there is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to showering times.

Kanwal said: “From a skin perspective, what matters most is not the clock, but keeping the shower short, using warm rather than hot water, and avoiding overwashing because long, hot showers can dry and irritate the skin barrier.

“Showering in the morning or evening can be healthy as long as the routine is gentle and not overly drying.”

Reddit Reacts

The comment set off a wave of reactions, with users weighing in on hygiene, routine and personal preference.

Despite McCoy818's argument, many Reddit users sided with morning showers in the comments.

One user wrote: “Sweat like a pig, wake up feeling greasy. I'll forever shower in the morning. But if I'm super gross at the end of the day I'll shower again.”

Another said: “My logic has always been. I don't want to be stinky when I'm around people. When I'm in bed I'm not really around people. Also if you shower everyday, unless you also roll in mud everyday, your fine you don't smell.”

A third wrote: “My hair is greasy and matted when I wake up, and I have to look presentable at the office. If I’m washing my hair, I should just get in the shower.”

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This story was originally published March 19, 2026 at 7:57 AM.