Apparently, celebrities decided that the year 2021 was the year when they would reveal their bathing habits to the world. What this showed us is that there is a distinct divide between celebrities who believe in daily showers and those who, well, don’t. Ice-T’s wife Coco Austin is in the latter camp. In an interview in August 2021, she revealed that she showers only when she feels “icky”.
Ice-T’s Wife Showers Only When She Feels “Icky”
In the summer of 2021, Ice-T’s wife decided to rock the boat by revealing some of her “home habits” that, evidently, really bothered some people. First, she told the world that she still occasionally breastfed her and Ice-T’s five-year-old daughter. Though the little girl did eat a regular diet, as well, she apparently enjoys breast milk and her mom didn’t want to tell her no. It is quite nutritious, after all, right? (1)
Then, in August 2021, Coco Austin made headlines again. This time, it was for her bathing habits. She said in an interview that, rather than daily showers, she cleans herself only when she feels “icky”. (2)
“Well, I don’t shower every day,” Coco said matter-of-factly. “I do what’s needed. My hair—I wash my hair every four days. Yeah, but when I’m feeling icky, I’ll get in the shower. Whether that’s every day, that may be, but that could be every three days. I kinda keep myself clean, though. Like, if I feel like my pits smell or something, I just take some washcloths and some soap to it. I might not have to clean my whole body.”
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The Celebrity Bathing Debate
Coco Austin isn’t the only celeb to have vocalized their avoidance of daily showers and baths. Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis revealed that they do not bathe themselves or their kids every day. Dax Shephard agreed, and also said that his showers only include soaping up when necessary. He says that using soap on your skin only dries it out and that water is sufficient most of the time. Jake Gyllenhal also admitted to Vanity Fair that he finds daily showers to be less and less necessary. (3)
Dwayne Johnson, however, is firmly on the other side of the debate. He tweeted his response to the debate, outlining his daily showering routine.
“Nope, I’m the opposite of a “not washing themselves” celeb. Shower (cold) when I roll outta bed to get my day rollin’. Shower (warm) after my workout before work. Shower (hot) after I get home from work. Face wash, body wash, exfoliate and I sing (off key) in the shower” he wrote. (4)
Nope, I’m the opposite of a “not washing themselves” celeb.
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) August 7, 2021
Shower (cold) when I roll outta bed to get my day rollin’.
Shower (warm) after my workout before work.
Shower (hot) after I get home from work.
Face wash, body wash, exfoliate and I sing (off key) in the shower 🧼 🎶 https://t.co/iE6ZPhrthL
While some people find opinions like Gyllenhal’s, the Kutcher-Kunis’, or Coco Austin’s lack of daily showers offensive, people were equally as upset over Johnson’s. Many fans responded saying that he was overdoing it and was wasting a lot of water showering three times each day.
Are Daily Showers Necessary?
So, is showering daily good or bad for your health? According to Harvard doctor Robert H. Shmerling, it is neither. He says that overcleaning is not an overly important health issue to worry about, though you likely are drying out your skin more than someone who showers less frequently. He also says that if you don’t shower every single day, you are also not doing your body any harm. Provided you are maintaining good hygiene, you will not suffer ill effects either way. He did, however, bring up the environmental point about water use and also water contamination. The more you shower, the more water gets wasted – especially when you consider what kinds of products most people use.
“Overcleaning your body is probably not a compelling health issue. Yes, you could be making your skin drier than it would be with less frequent showering. This is not a public health menace. However, daily showers do not improve your health, could cause skin problems or other health issues — and, importantly, they waste a lot of water. Also, the oils, perfumes, and other additives in shampoos, conditioners, and soaps may cause problems of their own, such as allergic reactions (not to mention their cost),” he said. (5)
So, should you shower daily? Well, if you workout daily you likely at least want to rinse the sweat off after your workouts. Daily face cleansing is also important for most of us, as well as the “important parts”. As long as you are hygienic and don’t smell bad, however, then you are likely fine and don’t need to. Also, if you find the bathing habits of a person that you don’t know and won’t ever come in contact with offensive – well, maybe you should consider finding something else to occupy your thoughts and emotions.
Keep Reading: 13 Famous Women Who Probably Took a Sip of a Youth Elixir
Sources
- “Coco Austin Reveals She Only Showers When She Is “Feeling Icky”.” Hot New Hiphop. Erika Marie . August 10, 2021.
- “Jake Gyllenhaal on Fast Boats, Extra-Thin Lox, and the Mysteries of Loofah.” Vanity Fair. Laura Regensdorf. August 5, 2021.
- “Showering daily — is it necessary?” Harvard. Robert H. Shmerling, MD. August 16, 2021.