Taking a good shower is simple, no matter what influencers recommend

Social media recommends complex body cleansing procedures during and after the shower: daily exfoliation, "double cleansing", antibacterial soap, a variety of fragrant body products and oils just for showering.

"I'm a little appalled by it," said Dr. Olga Bunimovich, professor of dermatology at the University of Pittsburgh.

The multi-step processes that have inspired people to spend endless hours in the shower can be damaging to the skin. Dermatologists say it's all mostly unnecessary.

"The skin is a barrier," reminded Dr. Nicole Negbenebor, a dermatologic surgeon at the University of Iowa. "It's one of the body's biggest barriers, so it needs to be properly cared for, but not overdone."

Showering is simple, it doesn't require a dozen steps or a multitude of products as recommended by influencers.

It is sufficient to shower daily with lukewarm water and wash with hypoallergenic soap or unscented detergent, then apply a moisturizing lotion or oil.

You should not stay in the shower for too long or shower with excessively hot water, as this can strip the skin of the natural oils needed to act as a barrier, and without them, it is susceptible to dryness and irritation.

You should use a soap designed for sensitive skin. Antibacterial soaps are popular, but experts say they can be too drying for the skin if used daily. Such soaps can be helpful for people with certain skin conditions.

Oils can be beneficial for skin after a shower, Negbenebor said. But keep in mind that oil is not a moisturizer, but a sealant: Water hydrates the skin, and oil will lock in that moisture.

Some influencers promote exfoliation and what is called "double cleansing" of the skin.

This "double-duty" however is intended for makeup removal: first using an oil-based cleanser to break down makeup, then a water-based cleanser to remove residue.

Experts say that this practice should not be applied to the entire body.

"Not only is it not necessary to double cleanse the skin, but people also constantly overuse soap," Bunimovic said.

"You shouldn't soap your whole body, period! Just soap your private parts and skin folds," she said.

Exfoliation is intended to remove dead skin cells and in principle it is good, but not on a daily basis, as some people do. It can cause a host of problems, even skin diseases.

Even coarser loofahs should be used cautiously and sparingly to avoid irritation.

If a rash appears on the skin after exfoliating, it's a sign that you've overdone it.

A gentler way to exfoliate is to use products containing lactic or glycolic acid, dermatologists said, but that shouldn't be done every day either.