A long, relaxing bath may seem harmless, but dermatologists warn that spending too much time underwater can harm the health of the skin. Learn how long a bath should last and what habits help to keep the skin hydrated and protected.
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14/06/2026
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Dafter a long day's work, nothing better than taking a bath to relax. Although many people control the time they are in the shower – especially to save energy and water – some people do not look at expenses and prefer to enjoy these moments.
To Real Simple, dermatologists have shown that staying in the bath too long can affect the health of your skin.
How long should a bath last?
If your goal is to have healthy skin, dermatologists make some important recommendations. The ideal number of baths per week (usually from three to seven), the ideal water temperature (warm, not warm) and even the order in which it washes the hair and body matter.
Still, one of the most important factors to protect the skin is time that passes underwater. The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends that more than 10 minutes may compromise the skin barrier, the most external one responsible for retaining moisture and preventing the entry of irritants.
What happens to the body when you stay long in the bath?
Although the longer baths may give a feeling of more hydration, they actually dry the skin.
This is because prolonged exposure to water – especially hot – can remove some of the natural oils that help to keep skin soft and protected. When these oils are removed, moisture comes out more easily, leaving the skin itchy, irritated or with the feeling of pulling.
In this regard the temperature is also important, so you should choose warm water and not too hot.
Other bathing rules that dermatologists recommend
Bathing duration is not the only habit that can affect skin health. Experts also recommend:
– Wash your hair first, then your body, and finally your face. Following this order helps to ensure that it removes any conditioning residue from the root of the hair, which can cause bubbles on the face;
– Dry the skin with light towels beats instead of rubbing vigorously on the body;
– Applying moisturizer a few minutes after leaving the bath helps to retain hydration.