The water is already warm, misting up the bathroom mirror, and you’re moving on autopilot. Shampoo, a quick rinse of your face, a vague swipe over your shoulders, hands under the stream while you think about your emails. You step out feeling “clean enough,” grab your towel, and only later notice that patch of redness that never fully disappears-or the itch that always returns in the same spot.
Most of us shower the way we learned as kids and never reconsider the sequence. Face, hair, hands, maybe feet if we remember. The rest is just… background.
Dermatologists say that tiny habit can make a real difference to your skin.
And the place you should wash first isn’t what most people assume.
The first place dermatologists want you to wash (and no, it’s not your face) - underarms and skin folds
Ask a group of dermatologists what you should wash first, and a surprising number will give the same answer: your armpits and the nearby folds.
Not your cheeks, not your hands. Your underarms-and the warm, closed areas where sweat and bacteria like to linger.
That’s the zone that spends all day under clothes, rubbing, heating up, collecting deodorant, fragrance, and sebum. Washing it first means cleaner skin, less irritation from residue, and fewer chances of disturbing your microbiome with leftover sweat.
The explanation is almost boring in its logic. Areas like the underarms, groin, and skin folds are warm, moist, and covered most of the day. That’s ideal for bacteria, yeast, and friction.
When you leave them for last, you’re washing them with water that already carries product residue. Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hard-water minerals-everything runs down and settles exactly where the skin is often most sensitive.
By focusing on those zones first, with clean hands, fresh water, and a controlled amount of cleanser, you remove sweat and microbes before they combine with everything else from your routine. That simple shift can mean fewer rashes, fewer odors, and less irritation without buying a single new product.
Picture this: a woman in her thirties goes to a dermatologist for “mysterious” underarm irritation. She’s already switched deodorants three times, tried going “natural,” and even stopped shaving for weeks. The redness keeps coming back.
During the visit, the dermatologist asks one simple question: “Walk me through your shower, step by step.” She answers automatically: hair, face, body-armpits last, a fast scrub right before stepping out. The doctor explains that the shampoo and conditioner running down her body is landing on the exact area she cleans the least thoroughly.
Two weeks after flipping the order and washing her underarms and folds first, the irritation is reduced by about half.
A related detail dermatologists often bring up: it’s not only what you wash, but what stays behind. Hair products and richly fragranced body washes can leave a film that builds up in the folds-especially if you’re using antiperspirant or wearing tight athletic fabrics. If irritation keeps returning, it can also help to review your routine with a pharmacist, or ask a dermatologist whether your symptoms suggest contact dermatitis or a yeast overgrowth that needs targeted treatment.
It’s also worth noting that some third-party standards and organizations influence what ends up in your shower. For example, the National Eczema Association “Seal of Acceptance” is sometimes used to identify products formulated to be gentler for eczema-prone skin, and the American Academy of Dermatology offers consumer guidance on avoiding harsh cleansers and over-scrubbing. These aren’t guarantees, but they can be useful starting points when you’re trying to reduce triggers.
How to actually wash this “priority zone” without attacking your skin
Dermatologists describe a straightforward method. Start your shower by wetting your body and going directly to your underarms and nearby folds: under the breasts, between the buttocks, and the groin area.
Use a small amount of a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser in your hands-not on a rough glove. Massage lightly for 20 to 30 seconds, then rinse thoroughly before doing anything else.
If you’re prone to irritation, lukewarm water is your best ally. Too hot and you strip the skin barrier; too cold and you tend to compensate by rubbing harder. Think of this step as “resetting” the most fragile zones before the rest of the products enter the routine.
We’ve all had that moment of realizing we’ve been scrubbing our skin raw, assuming that more foam means more hygiene.
In reality, most people either wash these areas too aggressively or not enough. They either go at them with harsh soaps, scented gels, and rough sponges-or barely touch them, assuming runoff water is sufficient. Both extremes can lead to issues: itch, odor, redness, and sometimes tiny cracks in the skin.
Let’s be honest: nobody does this every day with perfect technique. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s simply changing the order and the mindset.
Dermatologists repeat the same message: consistency beats intensity. Small, gentle actions done daily protect your skin far more than occasional “deep cleaning” sessions that burn and sting.
“Underarms and folds are like the ‘delicate cycle’ of your body,” explains one board-certified dermatologist. “Wash them first, with clean water and a mild product, then leave them alone. The more you strip them, the more they push back.”
To lock in the right habits, many experts suggest a short checklist:
- Wash underarms and folds first with a mild, fragrance-free cleanser.
- Use hands or a very soft cloth, never abrasive tools.
- Rinse carefully to avoid product build-up in skin folds.
- Finish your shower by briefly rinsing these areas again after shampoo/conditioner.
- Pat dry gently and, if needed, apply a simple, non-irritating moisturizer.
Rethinking “clean”: why this small detail changes the whole shower ritual
This small change in order forces a bigger question: what does “feeling clean” actually mean? For many of us, it’s a mix of strong fragrance, squeaky skin, and that slightly tight feeling after a hot shower. Yet that “tight” sensation is often your skin barrier complaining.
When you start by protecting the zones that take the most daily stress-underarms, folds, groin-the shower becomes less about scrubbing and more about maintenance. You still wash the rest of your body, of course, but with a different approach: less punishment, more care.
You may even notice that when these fragile areas settle down, your relationship with your body softens too. Less itch, fewer red patches, fewer moments of “What’s wrong with me?” after toweling off. It’s a quiet adjustment that can ripple into confidence in a T-shirt, in a sports bra, or in bed. And that’s when a simple shower habit starts to feel like real self-care, not just routine.
| Key point | Detail | Value for the reader |
|---|---|---|
| Wash underarms and folds first | These areas trap sweat, bacteria, deodorant, and friction all day | Less irritation, odor, and redness with a single change in order |
| Use gentle products and tools | Mild, low-fragrance cleanser applied with hands or a soft cloth | Protects the skin barrier and reduces chronic sensitivity |
| Rinse and dry with intention | Thorough rinsing and soft patting, especially in skin folds | Prevents product build-up, chafing, and moisture-related rashes |
FAQ:
- Should I stop washing my face first in the shower? You can keep washing your face in the shower if your cleanser is gentle, but dermatologists suggest starting with underarms and folds, then doing your face separately or afterward, to avoid residue from hair products.
- Do I really need a special soap for underarms and groin? Not necessarily. A simple, mild, fragrance-free body wash often works. If you have chronic irritation, a dermatologist may recommend a specific product for sensitive or atopic skin.
- Is it bad to use a loofah or scrub on these areas? For most people, yes, it’s too aggressive. Underarms and folds already deal with friction from clothing. A loofah or rough glove can damage the barrier and worsen irritation.
- How often should I wash my underarms and intimate folds? Typically once a day is enough, and after heavy workouts if you’ve been sweating a lot. Overwashing multiple times a day with strong soaps can dry and irritate the skin.
- Can changing my washing order really help with body odor? Yes. Washing underarms and folds first, then rinsing them again at the end of the shower, removes sweat and product build-up more effectively, which can noticeably reduce odor over time.
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