The summer is here, and with it brings sun, sweat and a few insecurities about how we look and smell throughout the day. Whilst I can’t assuage every worry, I can atleast provide some tips and tricks that will ease your mind when it comes to your summer hygiene.
I’ve already talked in some lengths about dealing with the little extra stresses that summer can bring here, as well as a quick hygiene routine for all day freshness. However, today will be a head to toe, summer hygiene routine that will have you feeling and smelling your best all day, even when the sun has other plans.
Pre-Shower
Oral Care
No one likes bad breath or a dirty feeling mouth. You want to make sure you start off your routine with getting the very basic, but incredibly necessary oral care out of the way. Most of us brush our teeth twice a day, but this alone does not ensure good breath and a clean mouth. If you haven’t already, this is the time to invest in a good mouthwash, as this will absolutely up your oral care game. Personally, I swear by the Ultradex Daily Oral Whitening Rinse (£8.49), not only does it help whiten my teeth, but it also keeps my breath fresh all day.
Another thing you absolutely want to use is a tongue brush. Your tongue harbours most of the odour in your mouth, so you want to ensure you are giving it a good scrub twice a day. I use this simple tongue brush from Amazon, as I find the stainless steel ones too harsh, but any good brush or scraper will do.
A simple tip I have when it comes to oral care is: Don’t skimp on products. It may seem better to buy the cheapest stuff and use the bare minimum, but honestly, investing in good oral care products will really improve your overall hygiene and dental health.
Laundry
This may seem odd, but you are wearing your clothes all day, so if they smell bad, you will smell bad. Taking extra care with your laundry is a good step is remaining fresh and smelling good all day. Finding the right combination of laundry products is key here. I use the Surf Coconut Bliss Concentrated Liquid Laundry Detergent (£3.25) and the Comfort Honeysuckle & Sandalwood Fabric Conditioner (£2.50). Together they create this gorgeous, long lasting soft coconut scent that is absolutely heavenly – and coconut mixes with just about every other scent you can imagine.
If my clothes are particularly dirty or I feel they could use a little extra love, I mix some Dr. Beckmann Odour Remover (£3.33) in with the conditioner. This stuff is phenomenal. Not only does it completely get rid of unwanted smells like food and smoke, but it really helps to boost the scent of the other two, and honestly when my washing machine is on, the entire kitchen smells like freshly laundered coconut. So not only does this combination make my home smell good, but the scent sticks to my clothing, underneath my fragrances all day.
In The Shower
It wouldn’t be a good hygiene routine, if we weren’t diligently cleansing our bodies. The best way to maintain all day freshness, is to make sure you are ridding your body of unwanted sweat, dirt and odour daily.
If you are someone who struggles with odour, then I suggest a bath over a shower, as it gives you the opportunity to soak in the water, which works miracles for odour and softening the skin. However, baths are also a good way to relax and destress. Using bath bombs and bath oils also helps to soften, cleanse and hydrate the skin, which helps in achieving clean and glowing skin.
Let’s jump into cleansing. People often reserve double cleansing for their faces, but in reality, the same mentality should be applied to our bodies. If you want to cleanse your skin as thoroughly as possible, and have it last, then double or even triple cleansing, is going to become your new staple.
I use bar soap with exfoliating gloves as my first cleanse, always. Not only am I exfoliating my skin, loosening up stubborn dirt and any ingrown hairs that can be dealt with later, but bar soap does an excellent job of cleansing, especially when it comes to removing deodorant, which can be pretty stubborn. Though bar soap can leave your skin feeling a little tight and dry, that will disappear with the rest of the routine. Of course, this can be changed up how you please, though I do strongly recommend bar soap in your first step, no matter how you apply it.
After your first wash is done, grab that exfoliator. Technically, if you used exfoliating gloves then you can skip this step, and I would recommend that, if you have sensitive skin. However, if you don’t, then grab your favourite scrub and go to town. There are a pleather of fantastic reasons to exfoliate, including fading hyperpigmentation and reducing ingrowns. However, regular exfoliation will help to keep bacteria in check by getting rid of dead skin cells, which can harbour extra bacteria that interacts with sweat, causing odour. So, if you want your summer hygiene to last the day, don’t skip out on a good exfoliation.
This is where I would usually shave, but I won’t include my shaving routine here as that is a little off topic. However if you would like to know how I shave my intimate region, check this article. So next, is the second cleanse. For this wash, I opt for a cleanser that is hydrating, with a fresh, clean scent. Dove bodywashes are great for this, and the two I reach for the most are the Dove Deeply Nourishing Body Wash (£3.99) and the Dove Nourishing Secrets Indulging Ritual Body Wash (£3.99.) I make sure to lather it really well on a wash cloth and spend atleast five minutes just going over my body, getting into every nook and cranny, until I am satisfied. Personally, I find wash clothes are better at removing odour and dirt from the skin then loofas, and help to thoroughly rinse off any leftover exfoliator.
It’s time to give your feet the tlc they deserve. Using a foot scrub or foot brush make sure you’re getting between your toes, underneath your nails and softening up the heel of your feet, getting rid of any hard or dead skin. If this extra time for your feet feels a bit much, consider the fact you’re on them all day long, probably wrapped up in socks and shoes. They are definitely going to smell if you aren’t showing them some extra love.
My final step in the shower is washing my intimate region. This is an absolute must. That area can collect a lot of sweat, especially if we have thicker thighs or are on our periods. I’ve been using Baby Dove wash to cleanse there for over a year now, and it has never steered me wrong. There are of course intimate washes on the market that you can use, but I find Baby Dove just gets the job done, without leaving me dry or sensitive.
A quick tip if you use your hands for this, leave the wash to sit for a little before rinsing it off, as soaking like this works really well to remove odour and remnants of any post sex mess.
Post Shower
Moisturise and Glow
Something I’ve been doing a lot this summer, that has helped keep my skin looking healthy, is mixing a small amount of body oil with my lotion or body butter. I prefer lotions in heat, as they’re not as heavy, but definitely use what works for you. I have two combinations that I alternate between, depending on my plans. My every day combo is the Neutrogena: Visibly Renew Supple Touch Body Lotion (£6.39) and the Vaseline: Cocoa Radiant Body Oil (£5.49.) Not only are these two inexpensive, they are also hydrating, helping to keep your skin soft and smooth, and the oil has fantastic lasting power. When I have plans, or simply feel like pampering myself a little, my combination is the Jergens: Cherry Almond Moisturiser (£14.99) and the Sunday Riley: Fairy Godmother Shimmering Body Oil Gel (£42). If there was ever a combination of products, that leaves your skin looking dewy and flawless, whilst smelling divine, it’s this one. Jergens lotions are extraordinarily moisturising and the cherry almond scent lasts hours on my skin. As for the body oil, though definitely on the pricey side, it feels so luxurious, and gives your skin this gorgeous, subtle shimmer that remains all day and doesn’t transfer on to your clothes. Honestly, both of these combinations are a match made in heaven for me.
Something often overlooked but incredibly important, especially if we’re showing off our glowing skin, is to make sure that skin is protected against the sun. During the summer, I like to mix a few drops of an SPF in with my lotion before applying, or depending on exactly what I’m doing, spray a SPF oil on top, letting it dry before I get dressed. It’s important to remember to protect the skin on your face aswell as your body, as you can have the same bad results if you don’t.
A quick titbit before we move on: Deodorant. You want to layer this on a little heavier in the summer, and if you are someone who sweats a lot, layer it on even more. On hot days, when I know I’m going to be outside for an extended period of time, I actually use a stick deodorant, let that sit for a bit and then go over it with a deodorant spray. You also want to be changing out your deodorants every two or three months, so your body doesn’t get used to them.
Fragrances
Despite being a gourmand lover, I find myself reaching for more fresh, clean fragrances in the summer. Potent fruits or florals can just feel a little overwhelming in the heat, and you want to go for something that smells good but is wearable all day long without irritating you.
Four perfumes I highly recommend for the summer are:
All four have a very fresh, clean girl scent in my opinion, and mix really well with each other. I tend to always mix my perfumes, as they last longer and it creates a more unique scent. Light Blue and Grace combine beautifully to create a gorgeous fresh, soapy scent that will stick to you well into the night, a fantastic day time combo. Bamboo and CK are a little stronger, more of citrus woody smell that screams flower fields and beach parties, good for projection and a perfect summer date night combo.
And there you have it, a summer hygiene routine. Let me know your thoughts about this routine over on the Instagram, and if you tried anything, I’d love to hear it! Remember to keep ALT Edition bookmarked for future content!
Thanks for reading!
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