Is it better to shower in the morning or the night?

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It’s time to come clean, do you shower at night or in the morning?

It’s an age-old debate, almost as contentious as should you rinse your dishes after washing them, but what is the right answer? Domain spoke to several showerers from each camp (all of whom chose to remain anonymous) to find out which way was best.

For those who shower in the AM, the argument is that it wakes you up, providing a blast of energy and turbocharging your brain like that first cup of morning joe.

A quick Google search reveals reams of other benefits. Proponents say it jump-starts your metabolism for breakfast, while others claim it helps you perform at your creative best. As the logic goes, showering sends your body into an “incubation period”, during which you’re more likely to experience those “aha” moments.

Then there are the social considerations – especially if you work in an office. “Showering in the morning is as important as brushing your teeth,” says one commenter, “It’s your best bet at looking presentable for that morning meeting.” For those who exercise in the morning or cycle in, it’s a no-brainer.

Some diehards even swear by cold showers – dragging themselves from their toasty cocoon of flannel sheets to stand under an icy splash of water, believing it makes for shinier hair, reduced stress, weight loss, increased productivity and a decrease in procrastination.

Now from the night showering team. On the flip side, there are certainly compelling reasons to suds up and get squeaky clean in the evening. They cite scheduling and efficiency as a key motivator. “You wash your face and remove your makeup at the end of the day. Why not extend that courtesy to your body too, right?” says one commenter.

What does science have to say about it? Experts claim that showering at night prepares you for bed. Photo: Alice Nerr

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Showering the night before cuts down the time you take to get ready in the morning – especially if you wash your hair. Less time drying and styling means sleeping in for at least 15 minutes more.

Then there’s the hygiene factor, as those who shower in the PM prefer to keep their sheets free from the day’s sweat and grime – not to mention hair products and deodorant. “People always say, ‘But you sweat at night’. To this I say: A) No, you don’t; and B) Even if you did, it would be a lot cleaner than sweat, dirt AND grime throughout the day,” says one impassioned interviewee. When you’re not sleeping in your own filth, your sheets stay cleaner. (Not that it’s an excuse to wash your bedding any less frequently than every two weeks!)

What does science have to say about it? Experts claim that showering at night prepares you for bed. There’s a natural decrease in body temperature just before you fall asleep. Taking a bath or shower beforehand artificially raises it, so that when you step out, it abruptly drops, sending a message to your brain that you’re ready to sleep. “It’s like a baby – when you have a warm bath or shower, you feel ready for bed.”

Can you have a bedfellow who plays for the opposite team? Well, even if it works out, it can lead to some heated conversations. “[My husband] just told me I can feel free not to shower every night, but then I should sleep standing up and preferably outside,” says one morning showerer.

Then there’s that third category people who choose not to choose by showering twice. “Who said it has to be one or the other? As the girl in the Old El Paso ad would say: Why can’t we have both?”