Which way should you face in the shower? Scientists finally settle the debate – so, have you been doing it wrong this entire time?

This is something most people do every day without thinking twice.

So, when you enter the shower, is your face facing the water or towards the water?

This week on X, the debate reignited after @nickimoraa posted: ‘I thought everyone showered with their back to the shower head. Isn’t that something?’

His posts have garnered a lot of attention and have been viewed more than 1.8 million times to date.

Many users agreed with @nickimoraa, with one user replying: ‘Hmm… I don’t like being drowned in water. So yes, backwards. ‘I love breathing.’

But others disagreed and argued that they liked facing the water.

‘I love facing water. “It’s like a warm hug,” one user explained.

Now scientists have settled the debate once and for all; So do you agree with their expert advice?

This is something most people do every day without thinking twice. So, when you enter the shower, is your face facing the water or towards the water?

The shower debate has been going on for years, with a 2021 poll showing the nation is truly divided over its preferences

The torrential debate has been going on for years, with a 2021 poll showing the nation is indeed divided over its preferences.

The YouGov survey of 4,040 adults found that 44 per cent of people were facing the shower, while 43 per cent were not facing the shower.

Five percent said they had never showered, while eight percent said they ‘didn’t know’.

This distinction is evident on social media, where many people are adamant that their personal choices are correct.

‘WHY WOULD YOU ENCOUNTERE WITH THIS? ‘I hate having water on my face so much,’ one user commented to X.

Another added: ‘Turning towards the water + scolding hot water = best shower ever.’

And someone joked: ‘I’m mixing it up. It’s better to wash my hair with my back turned, not wash my hair, I’ll face it. Maybe I can take it for a spin, it depends on what I say.’

Speaking to the Daily Mail, scientists explained their expert opinions on the shower debate.

Staring at water can cause shampoo and conditioner to run onto your face, which can clog pores and cause irritation or breakouts (stock image)

Lesley Reynolds, co-founder of Harley Street Skin, argues that you should shower with your face away from the water.

“Dermatologists generally recommend showering with your face away from the water,” he told the Daily Mail.

‘This helps prevent shampoo and conditioner from getting on the face, which can clog pores and cause irritation or breakouts.

‘It also limits direct exposure of sensitive facial skin to hot water, helping to protect the skin barrier, reduce dryness and keep skin calmer and more balanced overall.’

But Cadogan Clinic consultant dermatologist Dr. Susan Mayou argues that changing your position is best for your skin.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, he explained: ‘Continuous exposure to water means the face, chest and shoulders are exposed to direct heat and pressure for longer periods of time, which can increase redness and tenderness in more sensitive skin areas.

‘Returning intermittently allows the body to effectively cleanse while also helping to reduce constant exposure.

‘It also promotes more even rinsing of products from hair and skin, which can help minimize irritation and maintain an overall healthier skin barrier.’

Dr Mayou added that people with sensitive skin, eczema or rosacea should be particularly careful around water.

‘The face and upper body are particularly vulnerable due to the thinner skin,’ he explained.

‘Using warm water and limiting the time of direct spraying helps retain moisture and reduces unnecessary stress on the skin barrier.’

The news comes shortly after researchers from the University of Surrey revealed the length of the average shower in the UK.

The findings show that the average shower lasts just 6.7 minutes; but some Britons prefer much longer shower sessions.

Study co-author Professor Ian Walker joked on X (ex-Twitter): ‘We excluded showers lasting over an hour, but believe me they have happened.’