The conflict between those who bathe in the morning and those who bathe in the evening has been a long-standing debate. In various fields of expertise, healthcare providers agree that generally, we can bathe whenever we want. "There is no scientific evidence suggesting that bathing should be done in the morning or evening," said Thomas Russo, MD, a professor and head of infectious diseases at the University at Buffalo, as reported by Health.

When we sleep, bacteria and skin cells can accumulate on the bedsheet or on the skin, said Cindy Wassef, MD, an assistant professor of dermatology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, as reported by Health. Taking a shower can also help someone feel more refreshed in the morning. Our body relies on certain signals to wake up, and taking a shower can be one of those signals, said W. Christopher Winter, MD, a neurologist and sleep specialist at Charlottesville Neurology and Sleep Medicine, as well as the host of the Sleep Unplugged podcast.

Apart from maintaining cleanliness, taking a shower in the morning is probably the most reasonable and comfortable choice, especially for those who exercise after waking up. "The purpose of bathing is to clean dirt from the skin, so the best time to shower is after being exposed to sweat, dirt, and oil. For most people, this happens after exercising," said Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in the dermatology department at Mount Sinai Hospital.

Before going to bed, taking a shower can cleanse the skin from dirt and pathogens that have accumulated throughout the day. Therefore, sleeping can be done without worrying about dirtying the bedsheet. In addition, for those who have skin problems like eczema, taking a shower before bed can be a step to maintain skin cleanliness and reduce the risk of irritation due to environmental factors such as pollution. Furthermore, for individuals with dry or eczema-prone skin, taking a shower at night may provide extra comfort.

Finally, bathing at night can also be a ritual that helps the body prepare to rest. Just like morning showers that signal waking up, bathing at night can send a signal to the body that it's time to rest, explains Winter. Therefore, bathing at night is not a bad idea to consider.

"Taking a bath too often can cause dryness and loss of moisture to the skin and hair," said Wassef. When determining the appropriate bathing schedule, it is advisable to consider daily physical activity patterns, skin and allergy conditions, as well as possible sleep disturbances. Nevertheless, in general, the most suitable time to take a bath is when it is appropriate for each individual's needs and activities."