Beauty Tips

Here's What Happens When You Stop Showering for a Month (See the Pictures)

Could the secret to perfect skin lie in giving up soap, shampoo and all beauty products? We threw hygiene out the window for 30 days to find out

by Jill Provost | COMMENT

PHOTO 2/20

The Problem With Soap Our obsession with cleanliness, from clinical-strength antiperspirant to hand sanitizer, is wreaking havoc on our skin, according to Jasmina Aganovic, president of Mother Dirt. We've confused cleanliness with sterility, she explains. And even though we know too many antibiotics are bad for our health and dirt comes with a host of health benefits, we still take an overzealous approach to wiping out bodily grime.

"We're so busy getting that squeaky-clean feeling and, as a result, we're not just getting rid of the bad bugs, we're getting rid of the good bugs too," explains board-certified dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center. These bacteria, she says, help maintain a normal skin environment. Each time we disrupt that ecosystem, via harsh cleansers or overscrubbing, we're putting our skin in a state of confusion and stress. The result: An inflammatory state that can cause acne, sensitive skin and conditions like eczema, rosacea and psoriasis. As someone with overly reactive skin, eczema and psoriasis, I wonder if this no-soap experiment will be my panacea.

The night before the big day, I take the longest shower of my life, box up all of my beauty products and stow them in my closet. I text Jessica to make sure she does the same. The rest of the Total Beauty team takes bets on how long we'll last.

SEE NEXT PAGE: Day 1: My No-Makeup Debut

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