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Personal hygiene

As well as having negative social affects, poor hygiene can cause health problems sickness and disease.

Personal hygiene can be harder to manage as we go through puberty and if we don’t keep on top of it  can also cause social rejection and may also lead to bullying, low confidence and low self-esteem.

It’s never too early to start establishing healthy personal hygiene habits. Some hints and tips can be found in the topics below

You can work out what skin type you have to identify the best products to use.

Many products will come under combination/normal, dry or oily.

Make sure you:

  • Thoroughly wash your face with soap or cleanser in the morning and evening

  • Remove any make up before bed 

  • Hydrate and moisturise the skin 

  • Drink plenty of water and eat a healthy, balanced diet.

During puberty, the sweat glands start to develop. Body odour occurs as a result of bacteria feeding on and breaking down the sweat on the body. 

You can manage this by making sure you

  • Shower daily and wearing clean clothing to avoid bacterial build up, particularly after periods of physical activity

  • Use deodorant, roll on or spray.  Some deodorants are also antiperspirants, which could cause people to sweat less.

Sweaty Facts!

  • Sweating isn’t medically dangerous but it can be embarrassing and emotionally distressing

  • Sweating doesn’t cause body odour

  • Bad body odour is caused when bacteria living on the skin breaks down protein and fatty substances secreted by sweat glands

  • People usually sweat in the armpits (underarms), the groin and feet (due to wearing socks and shoes)

  • Many teenagers notice that they sweat more than they used to. This is normal throughout puberty (from about 10-18 years old)

If you’re worried about body odour or sweating, then you can speak to your GP for advice

Good dental hygiene is key to avoiding bad breath and other issues such as gum disease. 

This includes:

  • Brushing teeth twice day

  • Change toothbrushes every 3 months

  • Use floss to clean between teeth

  • Visiting the dentist regularly.  

Visit our Dental Health page to find out more

  • Avoid things that make your sweating worse (such as spicy foods or alcohol)

  • Wash/shower every day to remove the odour causing bacteria

  • Wear clean clothes (underwear, shirts) every day

  • Use antiperspirant after washing (rather than deodorants)

  • Avoid tight, restrictive clothing and man-made fibres, such as nylon

  • Wearing white or black clothing can minimise the signs of sweating

  • Wear socks that absorb moisture, for example thick, soft socks made of natural fibres or sports socks designed to absorb moisture. Avoid synthetics, and change your socks at least once a day.

  • Buy shoes that are made of leather, canvas or mesh rather than synthetic (man-made) material

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