I imagine many of us never dreamt 2021 would be the year that we'd be hearing all about celebs' bathing routines - or lack thereof, as is the case with some.
But here we are, with Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell all claiming they don't bother washing their kids that much... while The Rock brags about showering three times a day.
More recently, even Jake Gyllenhaal even popped up, saying he finds bathing to be 'less necessary', telling Vanity Fair: "There's a whole world of not bathing that is also really helpful for skin maintenance, and we naturally clean ourselves."
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So what are we all supposed to be doing? Should we revel in the filth like Ashton and Mila, or go for it with a thrice-daily scrub to follow suit from ol' Dwayne Johnson?
According to one doctor, we should probably just aim for a happy medium.
Speaking to the Independent, Dr Sarah Welsh, gynaecology doctor and co-founder at HANX, said: "From a medical perspective, unless you are visibly dirty or sweaty, you probably don't need to shower more than three times a week.
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"The factors that impact your need to wash include your occupation (if you're doing manual labour or working with patients) and your social and exercise habits. Generally, it's important to especially wash your feet, armpits and groin, as these areas are prone to becoming infected if not kept fresh. And even without Covid, you should ensure you wash your hands regularly."
Welsh warned that over washing also has its downsides, saying: "It can break down the skin's natural barriers and cause soreness and dryness.
"So, basically, just try to keep it clean on a regular basis."
Dr Kathy Taghipou, an NHS dermatologist from DermConsult, also said it is recommended to 'take a shower in the morning as humans tend to perspire at night'.
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Taghipou added: "Washing in the morning will get rid of sweat and bacteria from the sheets that are sitting on your skin and reduce the chance of infection."
Emma Coleman, a dermatology and aesthetics specialist at RGN, told the outlet she reckons showering and bathing frequency can be altered according to the seasons - saying it is 'kinder' to the skin to wash on alternate days during winter, as warm showers and baths can 'irritate eczema symptoms such as itching, which tend to flare up more during the colder months of the year'.
Meanwhile, in summer, Coleman said people may need to wash their bodies more frequently 'due to sweating'.
As for washing babies, the NHS advises: "You don't need to bathe your baby every day. You may prefer to wash their face, neck, hands and bottom carefully instead. This is often called 'topping and tailing'.
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"Choose a time when your baby is awake and content. Make sure the room is warm. Get everything ready beforehand. You'll need a bowl of warm water, a towel, cotton wool, a fresh nappy and, if necessary, clean clothes."
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Featured Image Credit: Pixabay
Topics: Entertainment, Celebrity