Being clean doesn’t necessarily mean using the harshest cleanser possible. Use a soap that’s good for your skin type and doesn’t dry it out too much. Choose a body wash or bar soap that’s gentle enough for everyday use. While taking a shower most days is recommended, you may want to wash your hair less often. Washing your hair every day can dry it out and ultimately damage it, since it strips your hair’s natural oils. To stay fresh on the days when you don’t wash your hair, consider using a little dry shampoo. It’s a powder that absorbs oil and makes your hair look and feel clean.
If you tend to sweat a lot, you might want to use a combination deodorant and antiperspirant to keep you dry. Use it with caution, though: in recent years there have been claims that the aluminum in antiperspirant could lead to breast cancer. Experts say these claims are unfounded, but it’s worth looking into if you’re going to use it on your body every day. [2] X Research source Using all-natural deodorant sticks or rocks is trendy, but many find that it wears off after a few hours. The exception might be homemade coconut oil deodorant cream, which quickly absorbs into the skin and keeps you dry and fresh. To make it, just blend 6 tablespoons (88. 7 ml) of coconut oil with 4 tablespoons (59. 1 ml) of baking powder and 4 tablespoons (59. 1 ml) of cornstarch. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, and apply it by rubbing a little into your armpits. [3] X Research source
Apply it to areas that tend to feel less than fresh, like your feet, armpits and so on. You can use baby powder or make your own body powder by simply mixing together cornstarch and your favorite essential oils.
Check your wardrobe for synthetic fabrics that might not be allowing your skin to breathe. Make an effort to wear more cotton and other natural fibers. Another way to stay fresh is to layer your clothes so you can change things up to suit the temperature. Instead of wearing a thick sweater to work and feeling hot later, try wearing a blouse with a cardigan that you can remove or put back on.
Have a separate pair of shoes for working out. Don’t wear the tennis shoes you use at the gym when you’re hanging out with friends, because the dried sweat on your workout shoes could cause your feet to smell.
Using mouthwash is a good way to combat bad breath. Rinse your mouth with antiseptic mouthwash a few times a day to kill the bacteria that cause bad breath. Drink water often. Aside from brushing your teeth, there’s no quicker or better trick for freshening your mouth. Having a drink of water rinses away food particles that can build up in your mouth and cause bad breath.
A change of socks A clean undershirt A pair of clean underwear If you’ve been wearing the same thing all day, change into something more elevated or something that isn’t your regular, everyday clothes—that will help you look and feel more refreshed.
If your hair tends to look a little greasy by mid-day, try dry shampoo. You just sprinkle a little on the spots that look greasy, let the powder sit for a few minutes, then brush it out. Another trick is to put your hair up into a bun or ponytail to instantly give yourself a fresh new style for the remainder of the day.
Avoid using douches or perfume sprays to keep yourself fresh. The chemicals in these products can actually lead to yeast infections, which will just make matters worse. Instead, wash with warm water or use an unscented cleansing wipe to freshen up.
Know which foods give you indigestion, too. Common culprits are beans, greasy foods and cruciferous vegetables. Spicy foods may make you sweat more than usual.
Put away clean laundry right away, and keep dirty laundry in a closed hamper. Vacuum often, especially if you have a pet. Clean out the inside of your car. Clean out your office and other places where you spend hours of time a day.
