LONDON, May 3: Showering is a daily routine for most people, often done without a second thought. But new guidance suggests that many may have been doing it incorrectly all along.

According to personal care experts, there is a recommended order for washing in the shower — one that the majority of people appear to get wrong. A recent survey revealed that 86 percent do not follow the optimal sequence, potentially increasing the risk of skin irritation.

Experts advise beginning with the hair — applying shampoo first, then conditioner — before moving on to the body. This sequence ensures that any product residue from the hair is rinsed away before using shower gel, helping to avoid buildup on the skin.

“Washing your hair first allows for a more thorough clean and helps prevent irritation caused by lingering products on the skin,” said one specialist.

The findings come from a survey of 2,000 adults in the UK, which explored common shower habits. The results showed that 44 percent of respondents use shower gel before shampoo and conditioner. Another 7 percent use shower gel first, then conditioner, followed by shampoo. Around 22 percent came close to the ideal routine, beginning with shampoo, then using shower gel, and ending with conditioner.

Other less common sequences included starting with conditioner or using conditioner multiple times before addressing other parts of the routine. Only 14 percent followed the correct order: shampoo, then conditioner, followed by shower gel.

Experts also emphasized the importance of turning showers into a revitalizing, sensory experience — not just a hygiene task — and encouraged the use of naturally fragranced products to enhance the experience.

This advice arrives as separate research into shower habits in the UK reveals how long people are spending under the water. In a recent study, water usage during nearly 300 student showers was monitored over 39 weeks using smart sensors. The data showed that the average shower lasted 6.7 minutes, with half ranging between 3.3 and 8.8 minutes.

However, researchers noted that students typically take shorter showers than the general population. Previous nationwide data recorded an average shower length of 10.8 minutes.