Taking a shower is one of those things in life you don’t have to really think about. You just turn on the water, get in, clean yourself up, rinse, dry yourself off, and you’re done.
That all changed recently for many people when a TikTok video went viral. In the video, a TikTok user, Canadian Ginger, claimed that people who wash themselves while facing away from the shower head are doing it “the right way.”
“I will die on this hill,” she wrote in the caption to her video, which has been watched over 1.4 million times.
Almost 5,000 comments have been made on the video so it obviously touched a nerve.
“Wait, what? Everyone showers with the water facing your back… right??? Right??” read one comment that got over 40,000 likes.
“I just be in there rotating like a rotisserie chicken,” another comment that also got over 40,000 like read.
“I asked my husband and he said he showers sideways facing the shower curtain and I don’t know what to do with this information,” wrote another confused viewer.
Is there a ‘right way’ to face when taking a shower?
According to Dr. Vincent Candrawinata, there isn’t a “right way” or a “wrong way” to take a shower.
“Your body doesn’t biologically require you to face one way or the other. What matters more is how you shower: water temperature, duration and how your skin responds,” he told news.com.au.
“A lot of it comes down to sensory preference and nervous system regulation,” he continued. “The face is one of the most sensitive parts of the body, packed with nerve endings. Direct water hitting your face can feel overstimulating, especially if the pressure is high, the temperature is hot and you’re already stressed or fatigued.
“Facing away can feel more calming and controlled. It reduces sensory input and gives a sense of relaxation, which is why many people instinctively turn their back when they want to unwind.”
Another expert, dermal therapist Isabella Loneragan, agrees. She says facing away from the shower is a “practical skincare habit” many people don’t even realize they’re doing.
Her advice? “Face the water when you’re actively cleansing the face or rinsing product thoroughly from the front of the body. This helps remove residue more effectively and prevents build-up that can lead to irritation or congestion,” she said.
“Once you’ve finished cleansing, turn away from the stream to limit prolonged exposure on more delicate areas like the face and chest, which are often the first to show signs of dryness and sensitivity.”