Since the beginning of the pandemic, we’ve often heard about the importance of good hygiene and regular handwashing to protect yourself and others from the virus. This is true, but it can lead you to believe that you need to scrub your body thoroughly every day, which isn’t necessarily the case.

On the contrary, excessive bathing or showering can only cause problems, not relief. According to doctors, you should only wash three parts of your body with soap each day: your armpits, groin, and legs. Simply rinse the rest of your body with water.

Sandy Skotnicki, MD, professor of dermatology at the University of Toronto, explains that scrubbing your entire body with soap and water can lead to skin problems like eczema and other conditions. Instead of scrubbing your entire body, focus on areas that need a thorough wash.