Celebrity bathing debate: what's going on with Hollywood's new (and kind of gross) trend?
Jake Gyllenhaal, Mila & Ashton, and more are saying no to regular showers. But is the celebrity bathing debate onto something—are we actually washing too often?
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

It's the trend dividing Hollywood: the celebrity bathing debate is providing some, um, interesting insights into A-listers' personal hygiene preferences. Some super-famous folks appear to take a lax approach to showering (ahem, Jake Gyllenhaal), while others like to suds it up several times a day. (The Rock doesn't fool around.)
In the last few weeks, several celebrity interviews have oddly led to actors sharing curious details about their personal showering habits—or lack thereof.
Read on to learn more about where your favorite stars stand. And, if the thought of this debate alone is giving you the heebie jeebies, we suggest you stock up on the best shampoo bars and a few bath bombs to calm your nerves.
- ‘Bath tea’ is the latest self-care trend on TikTok
- The best self-care practice according to your zodiac sign
- The best vitamin C serums for brighter, clearer and glowing skin
The celebrity bathing debate: Who's involved?
1. Jake Gyllenhaal
A post shared by Jake Gyllenhaal (@jakegyllenhaal) (opens in new tab)
A photo posted by on
In a candid Q&A with Vanity Fair (opens in new tab), Jake Gyllenhaal gave us an update about being the new face of Prada’s Luna Rossa Ocean, his favorite boat scenes in movies and where he stands on the loofah.
"More and more I find bathing to be less necessary, at times," Gyllenhaal told the publication. "I do believe...that good manners and bad breath get you nowhere. So I do that. But I do also think that there's a whole world of not bathing that is also really helpful for skin maintenance, and we naturally clean ourselves."
2. Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell
From body image to couples therapy and even when you should bathe your kids, we talk #HoTopics and catch up with the fabulous @KristenBell and @daxshepard! https://t.co/cVclFZQmjA pic.twitter.com/gRJko6xbQuAugust 3, 2021
Although the power couple used to begin their children's nighttime routine with a bath before bed, somehow, that system has changed over time to include less regular showers for the parents and their brood.
"I’m a big fan of waiting for the stink," Bell admitted on The View. "Once you catch a whiff, that’s biology’s way of letting you know you need to clean it up."
3. Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis
A post shared by Ashton Kutcher (@aplusk) (opens in new tab)
A photo posted by on
That '70s Show's TV couple-turned-IRL couple shares a similar viewpoint to Shephard and Bell.
While on Shephard's Armchair Expert podcast (opens in new tab), Kutcher said: "I wash my armpits and my crotch daily, and nothing else ever. I got a bar of Lever 2000 that just delivers every time. Nothing else."
The Ukraine-born Kunis had a more practical—and even emotional—reasoning for her children's limited showering routines.
"I didn't have hot water growing up as a child, so I didn't shower very much anyway."
Meanwhile, there are celebrities on the other, cleaner side of the debate, like The Rock, who believe in not one but three showers per day. See who is in favor of the opposing view:
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 🧼 🎶 https://t.co/iE6ZPhrthLAugust 7, 2021
Going on record here that I bathe every goddamned day. https://t.co/kM1Ah6Ee0aAugust 6, 2021
before you lot even ask: in this house, we bathe. pic.twitter.com/fxeTMovLJsAugust 6, 2021
So, how often should we really be bathing?
Now that we're on the topic of bathing, we're certainly curious about which approach to showering is most appropriate: less is best or more is more?
According to findings from Harvard Medical School (opens in new tab), two-thirds of Americans shower every day, and over 80% of Australians shower daily. While some are all for hopping in the shower every 24 hours, there is a layer of oil and “good” bacteria that threatens to be eliminated with daily showers, per Harvard's study.
Healthline (opens in new tab) echoes Harvard's findings and reported that daily showers do have the possibility of leading to dry, itchy skin and skin condition flare-ups. Overall, experts do have different thoughts—some say bathe daily, others say bathe every other day—but it's important to listen to your body and do what works best for your skin.
So, maybe Gyllenhaal and co. are possibly onto something...right? We, however, will stick to our bath time!
Danielle is a writer for woman&home and My Imperfect Life, covering all-things news, lifestyle and entertainment.
The heart of her time at Future has been devoted to My Imperfect Life, where she's been attuned to the cosmos, new TV shows and relationship trends.
Before her time at Future, Danielle was the editor of Time Out New York Kids and a news editor at Elite Daily. Her work has also appeared in Domino, Chowhound, amNewYork and Newsday, among other outlets.
When Danielle is not working, you can usually find her reading a book, coffee at hand, or attempting a new recipe. (Recommendations always welcome!)
-
-
The one body part you're probably not spraying perfume on—but you really should be
Wondering where to spray perfume? Here's your guide to the best scent boosting locations—one might surprise you...
By Naomi Jamieson • Published
-
What is a serendipity journal and how do you use it?
A new addition to your spiritual toolkit, the serendipity journal is sure to become a fan-favorite wellness trend
By Danielle Valente • Published