Soap...

There's no official protocol for how often to shower, but folks around the world bathe about once a day.

Truth is, we probably don't have to shower that much. Soap is built to pull dirt and oil off the skin and wash it away. 

The science of this sudsy magic is based on a two-part formula: a combination of either fat or oil plus an alkaline substance that dissolves in water (like salt or baking soda). 

The two ends of the soap molecule work together to pull grease and oil off of skin and into the water.

Shampoo also strips essential oil (called sebum) out of the hair, which is why most hair experts agree you should clean your mane at most once every two to three days.

When the loss of natural oil is combined with harsh scrubbing and scalding water, a long, hot, soapy shower can become a recipe for dry skin. This is especially true in the winter, when air is drier both indoors and out.