#hygiene tips

warmer weather is finally making an appearance and that means summer is even closer! let’s be real, a lot of us want to live and breathe “hot girl summer” but the heat? the sweat? yeah, that can make being an it-girl in the summer hard. it’s prime time for us all to be worrying about whether or not we smell good when we’re out and about under the summer sun, so allow me to be your big sis and hand down my best summer hygiene tips and tricks so that you can guarantee you’ll be smelling fresh as flowers all summer long!

let’s begin …

୨ৎ — body odor 101

we all absolutely dread bad smelling body odor, and some of us (me included) fear it. so let’s talk about how that not-so-nice smell can come about on our bodies.

sweat itself is odorless! it’s the bacteria on our skin that can make the sweat smell! we all have normal flora (natural bacteria) that live within our bodies and on our skin, which like the name suggests, is completely normal for our bodies to have! but sometimes that mix of bacteria and sweat can cause some pretty foul smells.

it’s also important to know that there are other factors that can be associated with body odor! hormones, diet, certain medications/vitamins/supplements, and obviously your hygiene habits can impact how you smell!

we also have two different sweat glands: eccrine glands & apocrine glands!

eccrine glands — they secrete sweat directly onto the skin to provide a cooling effect on our bodies

apocrine glands — most commonly found glands in the armpit area as well as the groin area ; this is where the body odor can stem from! due to the hair that grows in those two specific areas, bacteria can mix better with the sweat our bodies produce

important to note: your body hair is nothing to be ashamed of! whether you’re a woman, nonbinary, a man, or however you identify, your body hair is natural and it’s all completely up to you, and you alone, to decide whether or not you shave, trim, wax, or keep your body hair! having body hair does not mean you have poor hygiene!

୨ৎ — it all starts in the shower

it’s already a very obvious given that showering every single day is a must when it comes to achieving good and proper hygiene, so please make sure you’re hopping into the shower daily my loves! especially if you spent the entire day sweating, which will most likely happen during the warmer seasons!

like we discussed in the previous section, body odor is a mix of the sweat we produce and the bacteria that is living on the skin. so, if you are more prone to sweating or you were grinding at the gym or you went for a walk in the heat, do not forget to shower!

double cleansing the body

just as we double cleanse our face and hair, we should also double cleanse the body! i’ve mentioned this in a previous post with hygiene tips, but it’s good to do an initial cleanse to remove all the sweat, grime, and dirt from the day and then follow up with another cleanse to ensure that you’re body is squeaky clean and smelling fresh!

1st cleanse: can be an unscented or a scented soap/body wash, does not have to be an antibacterial wash (but it can be if you so choose), can be a bar soap or gel/liquid body wash

2nd cleanse: i recommend this 2nd cleanse to be something scented, but it doesn’t have to be! having at least one body wash/soap be scented can just amplify that clean and fresh smell of your body!

soap is soap. body wash is body wash. simply put: either way, you will be clean! you don’t have to go out and buy medical-grade soaps to clean your body. Dove is a great and affordable option! they have a great selection of bar soaps and body washes that will leave you smelling good and feeling clean!

loofas are not your friend

i’ve also talked about this in another post, but loofas harbor so much bacteria! and, again, bacteria + sweat = bad b.o.

African net sponges have been a god-send for me! they last for years, are machine washable, stretchy (making it easier to wash those hard to reach areas), and dry completely which makes it harder for bacteria to develop because bacteria thrive in moist/wet environments! which is why loofas are a no-go! standard wash cloths are also a great option, so long as you’re replacing it after every shower!

୨ৎ — post-shower rituals

what happens after your shower also plays a huge role into your hygiene! good and proper hygiene doesn’t stop in the shower!

dry all the cracks & crevices thoroughly

for my angels with coochies, please make sure you are completely dry down there! and make sure your underarms and any other cracks (and yes, i also mean the backdoor crack) and crevices are 100% dry!

put on deodorant immediately after your shower

as soon as your underarms are bone dry, put on deodorant! specifically an antiperspirant one! if you shower at night, it’s absolutely key to put on deodorant after your nightly shower because you could be sweating a lot more than you might think while you sleep! that antiperspirant is going to help keep your underarms smelling good and also help prevent that buildup of bacteria mixing with your sweat and creating a not-so-sweet smell.

cool off with a fan

if you take warmer/hot showers like me, i seriously recommend sitting in front of a fan after your shower or getting a fan (that fits in your bathroom) to help you cool off after your shower.

you probably just took the most amazing shower ever and you feel so nice and clean, but it’s hot as hell in your bathroom? get a fan! as you’re drying off the rest of your body and going through the rest of your post-shower routine, do you really want to do all of that in a hot and steamy room? getting sweaty all over again?

୨ৎ — every day & on-the-go tips

put deodorant in your purse/bag

if you’re a heavy sweater, bring deodorant with you and reapply it as you go about your day! you’ll never know when you might need it, especially if you’re spending all day outside in the summer!

carry body wipes with you

again, if you’re out all day and you’re needing a little freshening up, body wipes will be your best friend! these are especially good if you need to wipe down your underarms and then you can reapply deodorant so that you’re not layering a good smell over something that may not smell so good!

pack extra clothes

if you’re outside somewhere whether it’s a festival, amusement park, or even the park and you know you won’t be heading home for a while, pack an extra set of clothes! if you have the room in your bag, pack a new pair of underwear, shirt, pants, & even socks!

travel sized perfumes and/or body mists

i feel like people already know this, but seriously put a travel sized bottle of perfume/body spray in your bag! it’s always a good idea to reapply a good fragrance!

change your bed sheets weekly

again, this is another tip that’s pretty much a given, but during the warmer seasons it’s even more important to change your bed sheets regularly!

final notes —

the warmer seasons are just around the corner! i know a lot of us feel like we blossom and flourish in the spring/summer! me, personally, i feel the most beautiful freshly showered and ready for the day ahead! so think of your hygiene routine as a part of your beauty routine!

some hygiene tips for when youre struggling to do anything !!! (ᵕ—ᴗ—)

1 ,,, keep body wipes in your bedroom and use them daily on your armpits , chest , and neck when you sweat !

2 ,,, if you cant brush your teeth , use mouthwash when you go to the bathroom in the morning and night <- you can also use kiddie toothpaste , its normally fruit flavored and softer on your teeth ,,,

3 ,,, try to change your underwear every other day ! ( daily preferred , but if you cant , you dont have to ! )

4 ,,, use dry shampoo on your hair when it gets / feels greasy !!! make sure to brush it frequently aswell so it doesnt form knots and ' tugs ' ,,,

5 ,,, invest in a lightly scented body mist to spray on yourself and your bed !

6 ,,, use cotton pads and warm water to clean your face and hairline ! you can use cold if you dont like the feeling of hot water ,,, (,,>﹏<,,)

7 ,,, use perfume / deodorant ! inorder to make the scent last longer -> spray behind your ears , on your neck and collarbone , wrists and inner elbows , and behind your knees and ankles !!! if you have very sensitive skin , you can just do a light spray across your body ( hold the bottle at a safe distance when spraying so it doesnt irritate the skin ,,, )

8 ,,, whenever you brush your teeth , make sure to brush your tongue ! this is very important ,,, if you can , floss before you brush ! instead of rinsing your mouth with water , use mouthwash !!! if you hate the taste of mouthwash , dilute it with a little water ,,, rinse once !! youll damage your teeth if you rinse multiple times (♡ˊ͈ ꒳ ˋ͈)

How to: Be ready for the new school year.

Episode 3: The Hygiene.

Hi angels! New day new episode of our "How to" series! Now, getting ready for the new school year isn't just all books and calendars, let's take care of ourselves as well! Here are some of my favourite tips & reminders.

Oral hygiene: I've come across a tiktok earlier and in the comment section I discovered that many people's parents didn't care much about oral hygiene. Let's tackle this one down thoroughly, because oral hygiene isn't just about brushing. First: Choose a good toothbrush & toothpaste, and they don't have to be expensive, just effective. Second: Flossing. People underestimate how good flossing is. It gets rid of food that gets stuck between your teeth AND no, a toothpick won't do. Third: Oil pulling. Choose any edible oil like coconut or sesame and swish it for as long as you can then spit it out. It gets rid of plaque and reduces oral bacteria! Fourth: Tongue scraping. This is so important because it removes bacteria and dead cells from your the tongue's surface and thus helps improve bad breath and taste.

Showers: We all know everything showers, we know the steps and so on, I won't be talking about that. I'm talking about the tiny places we *might* miss: the navel for example. This should be cleaned and taken care of, as well as your armpits and behind your ears. Just because it's hidden doesn't mean we can simply ignore it! So make sure to get all those tiny places and hidden parts and clean them just as well!

Hair hygiene: Shampoo, condition and rinse. But also brush regularly to detangle and break build-up, use hair masks, get trims every 3-6 months and maintain a healthy diet!

Nail hygiene: Some people prefer longer nails and that's fine but ! they hold more germs than you'd like ): So it's better to maintain shorter nails, clean them with q tips, file and shape them however you'd like. Also keep your hands moisturized for a better look. If you have a habit of biting nails or cuticles please seek ways to prevent yourself from doing so as it may cause infections plus it doesn't look good.

Scent Hygiene: So we did take a good shower, moisturize! An unscented body lotion acts as a base to help your perfume last longer. You can layer fragrances by using a body wash, body splash and perfume of the same scent, this way, the scent lasts longer on your body. Note: Please do NOT over do it, don't use many fragrances of various notes that will overpower each other and not smell as good as you think.

That's it for today my loves! Come back tomorrow for more ;)

I have been through these episodes countless times, so I know how hard and soul crushing they are and how exhausted you feel.

I also know that not all depressive episodes are the same, sometimes you feel icky and you want to clean up a bit to feel better, but you don't have the energy for a full shower and skincare routine.

❗️This is not a routine that you have to do during those periods of time, it's for when you want to.

‼️Not doing any of this doesn't make you lazy or dirty in any way, shape or form.

1. Armpits

If you have the energy, go to the sink with a washcloth and some soap. Wet your armpits and wash them with soap. Wipe with the wet washcloth. Put some deodorant and you'll feel a lot fresher.

If you don't have the energy, use a wet wipe followed by deodorant and that's it, clean and fresh 👌🏻

2. Oral hygiene

If you have the energy, brush and scrape your tongue.

If you don't have the energy, swish some mouthwash in your mouth, your mouth will feel a lot better.

3. Skincare

If you have the energy, wipe your face and neck with a warm, wet towel and put on some moisturiser.

If you don't have the energy, wash your hands with cold water and put on some moisturiser, it'll help the skin feel better and the cold hands will feel so good on the skin.

4. Clean yourself down there

with a wet wipe and change your underwear, it can make you feel so much better.

One wipe for the front. Ladies, wipe front to back, always, you don't want to bring fecal bacteria into the vagina, it'll create a lot of issues.

Another wipe for the back, wipe front to back.

5. Change into clean clothes

It'll help a lot in feeling nice and clean.

❤️ I hope this will help when and if you need it, but don't force yourself thinking that you have to do it, you don't, focus on rest.

Putting cleaning wipes, deodorant and lotion in reach of your bed

putting baby wipes in reach of the toilet

Breaking up tasks and doing them with breaks in between and as much in bed/sitting down as you can. For example i can brush my teeth more often if i wash my face not in the sink but in bed

Baby wipes, makeup wipes, disposable wash cloths, disposable toothbrushes, etc. exist to help. Use them if you can and don't be afraid to create trash

☆.｡.: hygiene tips 🧴🧼

hiii! these are all the best hygiene tips that i've gathered from different sources over the years, not everything is 100% necessary to be consistent with, but its certainly good to apply them once in a while. lets begin! 🎀

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating, after using the restroom, after coughing or sneezing, and after touching public surfaces.

Carry a hand sanitizer with you. Make sure the sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol and rub it over your hands until dry.

When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow to prevent the spread of germs. Dispose of used tissues immediately.

Refrain from touching your eyes, nose, and mouth as much as possible, as these are entry points for germs into your body.

Take showers or baths regularly to keep your body clean and fresh. Use soap and water to thoroughly cleanse your body, paying attention to areas like armpits, feet, and groin.

Brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time, using fluoride toothpaste. Don't forget to clean your tongue, and replace your toothbrush every three to four months.

Keep your nails short and clean to prevent the buildup of dirt and bacteria. Use a nail brush to scrub under your nails regularly.

Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces in your home, such as doorknobs, light switches, countertops, and electronics. Also, keep your living space well-ventilated.

Wash your clothes, bed linens, and towels regularly, following the manufacturer's instructions. Use the appropriate water temperature and detergent to ensure proper cleanliness.

Avoid sharing personal items like towels, razors, toothbrushes, or makeup.

Practice good food hygiene by washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly before consumption. Cook food to the appropriate temperature to kill harmful bacteria, and refrigerate leftovers promptly.

Keep your surroundings clean: Regularly clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, phones, keyboards, and remote controls. This helps eliminate germs that may be present on these surfaces.

Maintain clean and healthy feet: Keep your feet clean and dry to prevent fungal infections. Wash your feet regularly, dry them thoroughly (especially between the toes), and wear clean socks and well-fitting shoes.

Ensure that the water you use for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene is clean and safe. If necessary, use water filters or boil the water before use.

If possible, use a shower filter.

If you are sexually active, use barrier methods (such as condoms) to protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections. Get regular check-ups and screenings as recommended by healthcare professionals.

Take care of your mental well-being by managing stress, getting enough sleep, engaging in regular physical activity, and seeking support when needed. Good mental health is essential for overall well-being.

Sleep with aloe vera on your face to help with scars and acne.

Massage your body with oils and lotions after shower or before bed.

Eat greek yogurt to help fix PH balance, acne and odor in your private area.

Wear cotton based underwear.

Do not treat your body like a trashcan.

To smell good during the day:

Regular bathing helps remove sweat, dirt, and odor-causing bacteria from your body.

Apply antiperspirant or deodorant to clean, dry underarms to control sweat and odor.

You can also use baking soda and lemon to get rid of under arm odor.

Put on freshly laundered clothes each day. Clean clothing helps prevent the buildup of odor-causing bacteria and keeps you smelling fresh.

When choosing clothes, opt for natural fibers like cotton or linen, which allow air to circulate and help wick away moisture from your body. Avoid synthetic materials that can trap sweat and lead to unpleasant odors.

Brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss daily, and use mouthwash to maintain fresh breath. Don't forget to clean your tongue as well.

Apply a pleasant fragrance, such as perfume or cologne, sparingly. Avoid excessive application, as it can be overwhelming to others. Focus on pulse points like the wrists, neck, or behind the ears.

Keep your feet clean and dry to prevent foot odor. Wash your feet daily, dry them thoroughly (especially between the toes), and wear clean socks and well-ventilated shoes.

Regularly brush your tongue, as it can harbor bacteria and contribute to bad breath. Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings.

Drink plenty of water throughout the day to flush out toxins from your body. Staying hydrated can help prevent the buildup of odors.

Certain foods, such as garlic, onions, and spicy dishes, can contribute to body odor. Pay attention to your diet and make choices that minimize strong odors if you are concerned about smelling good.

Keep a small travel-sized deodorant, wet wipes, or refreshing body spray with you to freshen up during the day, especially in hot or humid weather.

Ensure your clothes, towels, and bed linens are washed regularly. Use a detergent with a fresh scent to keep them smelling clean.

Spray perfume on your brush or use natural oils that are safe for your hair.

Wipe front to back to avoid infections. Use toilet paper then wipes.

moisturize your skin.

When washing your hair, make sure you are using products that clean your hair without drying it out.