How often should someone with eczema (atopic dermatitis) shower per week?

Showering Frequency for Eczema

People with eczema can shower daily or less frequently—both approaches are acceptable, and the choice should be based on personal preference and practical considerations. Recent high-quality evidence demonstrates no significant difference in eczema severity between daily and weekly bathing regimens 1.

Evidence-Based Bathing Frequency

Primary Recommendation

• Daily bathing (6-7 times per week) or less frequent bathing (1-2 times per week) both result in similar eczema control when combined with proper moisturization 1
• A 2025 randomized controlled trial of 438 people with eczema found no difference in symptom scores between weekly versus daily bathing groups over 4 weeks (adjusted difference in POEM score: -0.4,95% CI -1.3 to 0.4, p=0.30) 1
• A 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis confirmed that bathing ≥7 times per week versus <7 times per week showed no significant differences in eczema severity measures 2

What to Avoid

• Showering more than once daily is associated with worse eczema severity, including higher objective SCORAD, EASI, POEM, and quality of life scores 3
• Multiple daily showers increase skin irritation and should be discouraged 3

Critical Post-Bathing Protocol

Moisturizer Application (More Important Than Frequency)

• Apply emollients immediately after bathing while skin is still damp—this is more important than bathing frequency itself 4
• Consistent moisturizer application after showering/bathing is associated with significantly lower eczema severity scores (o-SCORAD, EASI, POEM) 3
• Even inconsistent post-bath moisturization shows benefit compared to no moisturization 3
• The British Association of Dermatologists recommends using 30-60g per application for both arms, translating to approximately 200-400g per week for adequate coverage 4

Practical Bathing Guidelines

• Shower duration does not significantly impact eczema severity—typical durations of 10-30 minutes are acceptable 5, 3
• Use tepid (lukewarm) water rather than hot water to prevent worsening symptoms 6
• Replace traditional soaps with emollient-based soap substitutes or mild, pH-neutral (pH 5) non-soap cleansers to preserve the skin's natural lipid barrier 4, 6

Real-World Practice Patterns

• Surveys show that 75% of eczema patients prefer showering to bathing 5
• Patients with mild eczema typically apply emollients 1.8 times daily, while those with moderate-to-severe disease use them 2.8 times daily 7
• Most patients (60-73% in studies) already use soap substitutes and apply emollients after bathing 5

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Underapplication of moisturizers: Prescribe at least 400-500g containers to ensure adequate supply for 2-4 weeks of twice-daily application 4
• Using harsh soaps: These remove natural lipids and worsen dryness 6
• Skipping post-bath moisturization: 23-25% of eczema patients fail to apply emollients after bathing, which significantly reduces treatment efficacy 5
• Rubbing skin dry: Pat skin dry with clean towels rather than rubbing 6

Bottom Line Algorithm

1. Choose bathing frequency based on patient preference: Daily (once per day) or less frequent (1-2 times per week) are both acceptable 1
2. Never exceed once-daily bathing to avoid worsening symptoms 3
3. Always apply generous amounts of emollient immediately after bathing to damp skin—this is non-negotiable 4, 3
4. Use soap substitutes rather than traditional soaps 4, 6
5. Prescribe adequate quantities of moisturizers (400-500g containers) to prevent underapplication 4