Former Love Island star Zara McDermott has candidly revealed her intense personal hygiene habits, admitting she feels "disgusting" if she doesn't shower twice daily and brushes her teeth after every single meal. The 29-year-old television personality made these surprising confessions during a recent YouTube video documenting a week in her life, where she expressed concerns about potentially having "cleanliness issues."
Extreme Hygiene Routines Revealed
McDermott disclosed that despite her twice-daily showers causing her eczema to flare up significantly, she continues with this rigorous routine due to what she describes as a "chronic fear of smelling." The reality star emphasized that no one has ever told her she smells bad, not even her brutally honest brother who she says would definitely speak up if there was an issue.
"I need to cut back on the two showers a day," McDermott confessed directly to the camera. "I am a two showers a day person like I genuinely don't know if anyone else has this. I have a chronic fear of smelling."
Dental Hygiene Extremes
Beyond her showering habits, McDermott revealed she brushes her teeth at least four times daily, always after eating any meal. She noted that her dentist approves of this frequent brushing routine, which she believes contributes to her good dental health. "I actually do think that I have some kind of like cleanliness issues sometimes," she admitted. "I definitely get myself into a habit of having too many showers."
Health Consequences of Excessive Cleaning
The television personality went on to explain how her showering routine directly impacts her chronic eczema condition. During the Christmas period, when she reduced her showers to once daily, her eczema completely cleared up. However, upon returning to her twice-daily routine, the skin condition flared up again.
"But also, when you have chronic eczema, that is not a good thing," McDermott acknowledged. "So I've noticed that my eczema has been flaring up so over Christmas I was like, 'I'm just gonna do the one shower a day. I don't need to be having two showers a day.'"
Recent Health Scare Details
Elsewhere in the revealing video, McDermott shared that she recently discovered a lump in her armpit that prompted immediate medical concern. She described the discovery as feeling more like a swollen gland than a traditional lump but decided to have it examined during a full body MRI scan she had scheduled with Daisy Tomlinson, the sister of her partner Louis Tomlinson.
"I am... I wouldn't say I'm massively health anxious as such," McDermott clarified. "I'm not health anxious, am I? Health conscious. I also have had this tiny little... it's not a lump... under, like, my armpit. I don't know if it's like a gland or something."
Preventative Health Measures
McDermott explained that she and Daisy Tomlinson decided to book full body MRI scans after discussing preventative health measures over the Christmas period. The scans, which they had seen advertised on Instagram, represented part of their commitment to getting "on our A-game this year" regarding health matters.
Sharing an update after completing her scan, McDermott said: "Hi guys, so I just had my scan, just finished it. So this is like the little garms they give you. This is the OOTD [outfit of the day]. Yeah, I'm looking forward to getting my results. That was such a nice, clean, simple experience."
Previous Health Challenges
This latest health concern comes just over two years after McDermott shared images of herself in hospital following a procedure to repair damage to her bones caused by osteoporosis. In December 2023, she revealed through Instagram posts that despite the operation, doctors warned she would likely need further procedures involving metal screws and a plate to fuse her leg bones back together following a tibia fracture.
McDermott first disclosed her osteoporosis diagnosis in November 2023, telling fans she had the "early signs" of the disease that affects approximately 3.5 million people in the United Kingdom. Osteoporosis makes bones fragile and more likely to break, with the condition developing slowly over several years and often only being diagnosed when a fall or sudden impact causes a fracture. Nearly two-thirds of osteoporosis sufferers are women.
The television personality's openness about both her hygiene habits and health concerns provides a rare glimpse into the personal challenges faced by public figures, highlighting how even seemingly routine personal care decisions can have significant health implications.
