Morning vs Evening Washing: When to Use Which Soap

Some people swear by a brisk morning shower. Others feel "not quite human" unless they wash at night. If you have sensitive or dry skin, or you're trying to improve your sleep, it's natural to wonder which is actually better – and whether the timing should change the soap you use.

As a soap maker, I'm less interested in rigid rules and more interested in helping you match when you wash to what your body needs, with the right bar in your hand.

What the Science Says About Morning vs Evening Washing

There isn't a single study that tells us, "Everyone must shower at 7.05am" – people and lifestyles are too varied for that. But we can pull together useful clues from sleep science, chronobiology and hygiene research.

A well-known meta-analysis on water-based passive body heating found that a warm bath or shower (around 40–42.5°C) taken 1–2 hours before bed can help people fall asleep faster and improve sleep efficiency.

Sleep specialists interviewed by organisations like the Sleep Foundation explain that a warm evening shower followed by cooling down helps signal to the body that it's time for sleep, because the drop in core temperature supports the circadian drive for rest.

At the same time, morning washing has benefits too. A recent feature from TIME explored expert views on whether it's better to shower in the morning or at night. One sleep researcher noted that a morning shower can reinforce your natural wake-up rhythm by gently raising body temperature and promoting alertness.

Sleep medicine reviews are clear on one point: whatever you do, a consistent routine matters. A 2023 overview of sleep physiology and hygiene emphasises the value of regular bed and wake times, a wind-down period and relaxing pre-sleep behaviours. Research on sleep timing and health also suggests that irregular sleep patterns and variable bedtimes are linked with poorer health outcomes overall.

So the real question isn't "Which one is universally better?" It's "What combination of morning and evening washing supports your skin, schedule and sleep, and how can soap help?"

Morning Washing: When It Helps and What Soap to Use

A morning wash is especially helpful if:

• You sweat at night or feel groggy on waking.

• You use richer products in the evening and want to freshen up.

• You need a clear mental "start line" for the day.

NHS and hospital sleep resources often reassure people that a brief, warm shower in the morning is fine as long as it doesn't eat into sleep time, and that exposure to light and gentle activity on waking can help anchor the body clock.

For morning:

• Keep water comfortably warm, not extremely hot.

• Use a light, refreshing bar – perhaps something with citrus, mint or gentle herbaceous notes.

• Focus on key areas (armpits, groin, feet, face) rather than scrubbing your whole body vigorously every single morning, especially if you already bathe at night.

If your skin tends to be on the oilier side, a bar that includes gentle clays or activated charcoal can help lift excess oil without stripping. Our charcoal-focused posts go into more detail on matching ingredients to skin type.

Evening Washing: When It Helps and What Soap to Use

Evening washing comes into its own when:

• You commute, exercise, or work in environments with dust, pollution or strong smells.

• You wear SPF, make-up or occlusive products that you want to remove properly.

• You struggle with sleep and could benefit from a wind-down cue.

NHS Every Mind Matters guidance suggests building in a relaxing pre-bed routine that might include a warm bath or shower, switching off screens and practising relaxation techniques. Other NHS leaflets reinforce the idea that a warm bath 30–60 minutes before bed can help you unwind and prepare for sleep.

For evening:

• Choose a soothing, moisturising bar with ingredients like shea butter, olive oil and perhaps oats.

• If you have dry or sensitive skin, avoid very strong essential oils at night; a soft lavender, chamomile or unscented bar can be kinder.

• Let the warm water and lather become part of your wind-down ritual, not just a frantic scrub on the way to bed.

The Sleep Foundation article on how showering the "right way" can support better sleep reminds us that it's not just the time of day, but also water temperature, duration and what you do immediately afterwards that matter.

Can You Wash Morning and Evening?

Yes – many people do, especially if they exercise or have hands-on jobs. The key is to:

• Use gentle, glycerin-rich handmade soaps rather than harsh detergents.

• Avoid very hot water and long, steamy sessions twice a day.

• Moisturise any areas that feel dry after washing.

When your soap is made with a balanced blend of plant oils, a sensible superfat and a proper cure time, it can be surprisingly kind even with daily use.

If your skin is particularly dry, you might:

• Use a richer bar in the evening and a very minimal lather in the morning.

• Focus full-body washing on once-a-day, using the other wash just for key areas.

Matching Soap to Time of Day

A simple way to think about it:

Morning: Bright, clarifying, light.

• Bars with citrus, mint or gentle herb notes.

• Clay or charcoal for oilier or sweat-prone areas.

Evening: Comforting, replenishing, calm.

• Creamy bars with butters and nourishing oils.

• Subtle lavender, chamomile, frankincense or unscented options.

Over time, your brain will likely start to associate certain scents with "wake up" and others with "wind down," a bit like how sleep researchers describe using repeated cues to strengthen your body's sleep-wake signals.

Frequently Asked Questions: Morning vs Evening Washing

1. Is it bad for my skin to shower twice a day?

Not automatically. Issues usually arise when very hot water, harsh detergents or strong scrubs are used too often. Dermatology research emphasises the importance of maintaining the skin barrier and avoiding over-washing with aggressive surfactants. Using a mild, glycerin-rich handmade bar and keeping water temperature moderate can make twice-daily washing more tolerable for many skin types.

2. If I can only shower once, should I choose morning or evening?

If you have to pick one, many sleep specialists lean slightly towards evening, especially if you have trouble sleeping, because a warm wash before bed can support your sleep routine. The review on warm baths and showers before bedtime explains how this works. However, if a morning wash fits your schedule better and you sleep well, there's no need to change just for the sake of it.

3. Should I use the same soap in the morning and at night?

You can, but it can be helpful to have slightly different bars. A brighter, more refreshing soap can make mornings more enjoyable, while a deeply moisturising, calming bar can support your evening wind-down. Our range is designed so you can mix and match within a consistent gentle base.

4. How does this fit into a bedtime routine?

Think of your evening wash as the first step in a three-part routine: wash, wind down, sleep. Many NHS sleep resources suggest building a predictable pre-bed sequence – perhaps a warm bath or shower, a calming activity like reading, then lights down at a similar time each night.

If you'd like to experiment with a "morning bar" and an "evening bar" that work with your body rather than against it, you're welcome to explore our small-batch range and join our waiting list. That way, you'll be first to know when new wake-up and wind-down soaps are ready to slip into your routine.