Hey there, you gorgeous queens! 🙋♀️
If you take a look back to the 2 previous blog posts, you will notice a theme that the blogs focus on female health. These blog topics were actually decided by young people themselves.. “Bronte, Navigating through the world of personal hygiene can feel overwhelming, especially with all the advice coming from every direction and you just get it through to us in a way that we understand”. So, it’s only right I share my advice with the world!
Personal hygiene is something we alllllll experience but yet, it’s something we are just ‘expected’ to know. Things like depression, trauma, childhood etc can impact personal hygiene. So, yes – an ignorant person may say ‘it’s not that hard, but to some my loves, it actually is’ and that too.. is ok 💞
Whether you’re a teenage girl just starting to figure things out or a young adult refining your routine, understanding self-care and what it means to YOU.. hygiene is an essential part of that girl. I want to break down the basics of personal hygiene for you and WHY it’s crucial, and how you can tailor it to your unique body.
Why Does Personal Hygiene Matter?!
1. Health and Well-being: Good hygiene practices help prevent infections and illnesses. Regular washing reduces the build up of bacteria and viruses on your skin, keeping you healthy and fresh. But, confusingly over washing can cause bacterial vaginosis (go to the blog about BV).
2. Confidence Boost: Feeling clean and fresh can significantly boost your confidence. When you know you smell good and look clean, it can be easier to face the world or equally, that after shower/bath feeling can be priceless. I love nothing more than getting a hot shower when I’m super stressed, equally when I need to calm down – nice bath with a candle (don’t forget to blow it out!! When you are done in the bath) but a bath and candle, can make all the difference. In a way, it does give a little confidence boost.
3. Seeing your friends and socialising: Good hygiene just makes you feel better when you are out and about. It helps you feel comfortable around others and I don’t know about you, but when I am staaaankin or I can smell my body odour, it makes me feel uncomfortable. It’s just nice to feel clean when your out with your people 🫶
Understanding Your Body’s Needs is SO important sis
Every body is DIFFERENT, and that is a promise girl! It just means that everyone’s hygiene needs are different. For example: some people get BV from washing with scented perfume and some don’t. . Here are some things to consider:
– Body Odour (BO): It’s completely normal for everyone to have a distinct body odour. Factors like diet (girllll, let me tell you.. diet has a HUGE impact on body odour’s, I know this because I experience it! Have you ever ate raw onion and then smell of raw onion? Maybe it’s just me LOL, but I will say the things you may not dare say out loud, so you can relate.. we are what we eat!, genetics (your genes!) and even stress levels can affect how you smell. Understanding your own body odour helps in choosing the right products to manage it effectively.
– Skin Type: Whether you have oily, dry, or combination skin this will influence the type of cleansers and moisturizers you should use. Using products tailored to your skin type can prevent issues like dryness, irritation, or acne… make sure when you wash your face with hot water, you splash abit of cold water on after to close your pores. Again, I sweaaar by drinking water daily to help with skin!
– Sweat Levels: Some people sweat more than others, which is perfectly normal. Identifying your sweat levels can help you choose the right deodorants and antiperspirants to keep you feeling fresh all day. For example sis: I can’t use spray on deodorants, they just DON’T work for me. But the Sure deodorant (the orange one, in the box for £4.99 GBP) works wonders! I spent years searching for the right deodorant, I really did because other deodorants smelt fresh for a bit then that musky smell started to creep through.
5 Essential Hygiene Practices
1. Daily Showering
Taking a shower daily (or every other day depending on your activity level and skin type) is a good practice. Use a gentle body wash that suits you. Pay special attention to areas that sweat more, such as your underarms and feet.. you would be surprised at just how much our feet control our bodies! Make sure you dry in between your toes, to avoid athletes foot.
2. Understanding the difference between Deodorant vs. Antiperspirant
– **Deodorant**: Masks or eliminates body odour. Great for those who don’t sweat excessively but want to smell fresh.
– **Antiperspirant**: Reduces sweating. Ideal if you sweat a lot and want to control both sweat and odour.
Choose a product that works best for YOUR needs, and don’t be afraid to try a few different ones to find your perfect match, like I said.. I spent years!
3. Oral Hygiene
Brush your teeth at least once a day. Twice would be best, but I know many of my teens don’t do this, so please give them a good scrub at least once queens. This prevents bad breath and keeps your teeth and gums healthy, I personally use mouthwash as well for an extra fresh boost.
4. Hair Care
Wash your hair based on your hair type and lifestyle. Over-washing can strip your hair of natural oils, while under-washing can lead to a greasy scalp… this is alllll dependant on your hair type. For example: I have curls, I only need to wash my hair every couple of weeks.. if I was to wash it daily, it would be SO dry, but that’s me as a mixed heritage woman. Where as my best friend, who is a white Caucasian women washes her hair every other day and uses dry hair shampoo in between. Find a balance that keeps your hair clean and healthy. I often find clean hair influences a healthier mind. You just feel better when your hair is looked after.
5. Period Hygiene
During your period, change your pads, tampons, or menstrual cups regularly. I will do a blog on periods and period hygiene and all the different stages, smells and types of blood that we release on our periods. But it goes without saying, when it’s hot.. obviously we sweat more! Which means, if you are on.. change your pad more if you can AND wear cotton knickers. I looooove a good cotton ‘granny’ knicker when I’m on.
We have covered why hygiene matters, explored the 5 key area’s to our personal hygiene and if you haven’t already, go and read the blog about BV. All the key ‘need to know am for our female and vagina health.
Stay healthy, stay in the know about YOUR body AND remember, never be embarrassed to ask questions about your hygiene.
The Girls Circle xo
