Pineapples or no pineapples on pizza? Iced or hot coffee? Do guys pay on the first date, or should girls split the bill? We argue about these things with our friends on occasion, often jokingly, sometimes with true passion (especially when it comes to pineapples on pizza). But have you ever asked your friend group about whether they prefer showering in the morning or at night? The variance in answers might surprise you. Here, we explore whether it’s better to shower in the morning or at night.

What are the benefits of showering in the morning?

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Showering in the morning is, first off, a great way to wake up (especially if cold showers are your thing). There’s nothing like getting rid of the sleep in your eyes or your bedhead at 7 AM to jumpstart your day. You get to feel extra-fresh before coming into work—even if your work day is just at home. However, showering during this time takes up precious morning minutes before you have to begin work. That extra time could be spent lazily eating breakfast…or still being asleep.

What are the benefits of showering at night?

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Nothing like feeling clean on clean sheets on a clean bed. Showering at night, especially with warm water, is perfect for winding down and signaling to your body that it’s time for rest. Who wants to go into bed with the dirt and crust of the day they had, anyway? One con, though, is it might be harder for you to ‘wake up’ in the morning without a shower to perk you up. Well, there’s always coffee.

Which is better for you?

According to New York dermatologist Dr. Gary Goldenberg, there’s nothing wrong with showering in the morning or at night per sé. However, showering at night doesn’t guarantee cleanliness. ““Humans tend to perspire at night. When you wake up in the morning, there’s all this sweat and bacteria from the sheets that’s just kind of sitting there on your skin,” he said to the New York Times. Also, people tend to have sex at night, which is self-explanatory in terms of the need to clean up. Goldenberg suggests taking a quick shower in the morning—not as thorough as the one you take at night—just to wash off the gunk and sweat from the night before.

For fans of the morning shower, though, take the time to freshen up at night. After brushing your teeth and removing your makeup, wash your face thoroughly, and be sure to wash your underarms, private area, and feet before climbing into bed.

Shower timing will also depend on the timing of your workouts, if you do them. If morning workouts are your jam, then of course your showers have to follow suit.

In the end, your shower preferences are completely up to you. The only thing society asks of you is that you shower enough so that you look and smell clean!