Dermatologists are pushing back against influencer-driven, multistep shower routines that call for daily exfoliation, double cleansing and layers of scented products. In interviews reported by The Globe and Mail and Boston 25 News, specialists said the elaborate regimens offer no proven benefit and can strip the skin’s natural oils, causing dryness, irritation and unnecessary environmental waste. “People overuse soap all the time,” said Dr. Olga Bunimovich of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, noting that most people need to wash only their private areas and skin folds with a mild cleanser. Dr. Nicole Negbenebor of University of Iowa Health Care added that antibacterial soaps are too drying for everyday use unless prescribed for conditions such as hidradenitis suppurativa, while Dr. Lisa Akintilo of NYU Langone Health warned that daily manual exfoliation can trigger rashes or worsen eczema. The recommended routine is considerably simpler: a brief, lukewarm shower once a day with a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic cleanser, followed by a hydrating lotion or light body oil to seal in moisture. Experts caution against prolonged hot water, which erodes the skin barrier, and say full-body double cleansing—a technique borrowed from facial skin care—is unnecessary. Beyond dermatologic concerns, the Environmental Protection Agency estimates showers consume almost 17 % of U.S. indoor household water, prompting calls for shorter wash times amid widespread drought. Separately, a review in the journal Sleep Medicine Reviews found that a warm bath of 40–42.5 °C taken one to two hours before bedtime can help people fall asleep faster, underscoring that the timing and temperature of a simple wash may matter more than how many products are used.