What does body hygiene include?
Body hygiene is the set of habits and products aimed at keeping skin clean, healthy and free of impurities, sweat or environmental residue built up throughout the day. It's not a single product, but a small family of cosmetics that complement one another: shower gels or soaps for cleansing, exfoliants to renew the skin's surface, and deodorants to control body odour. Keeping up with this routine consistently helps maintain the skin's natural balance and prevent irritation caused by insufficient cleansing or, on the other hand, being too harsh.
The steps of a complete body hygiene routine
Each step serves a different purpose, and the order in which they're applied affects the final result.
Daily cleansing
The first step involves removing sweat, pollution and impurities built up on the skin using a shower gel or soap suited to each person's skin type.
Regular exfoliation
Once or twice a week, it's worth adding an exfoliant that helps remove dead skin cells from the surface, leaving skin smoother and more receptive to hydration afterwards.
Body odour control
After cleansing, deodorant takes care of maintaining a feeling of freshness throughout the day by acting on the bacteria responsible for odour.
How to choose body hygiene products for your skin
- Dry skin: creamy formulas without harsh sulphates that don't leave a tight feeling.
- Sensitive skin: products with mild fragrance or fragrance-free, with a pH close to that of the skin.
- Oily skin or skin prone to sweating: lighter textures and long-lasting deodorants.
- Normal skin: can allow for a wider variety of formats with hardly any restrictions.
Ingredients and features worth considering
When reviewing the composition of body hygiene products, it's worth checking the pH, which should be closer to that of the skin the gentler the formula is, as well as the presence of moisturising ingredients that offset the cleansing effect. It's also common to find soothing actives such as aloe vera or oat, designed to minimise the tight feeling after washing, along with formulas free from harsh sulphates in the options that are gentlest on the skin.
Common formats within body hygiene
Body hygiene comes in different formats depending on each person's preference and the time of day. Liquid shower gels are the most widespread thanks to their convenience and their ability to lather easily, while solid bars or soaps are gaining ground for their compact format and lower environmental impact. Deodorants, meanwhile, come in stick, roll-on or spray form, each offering a different application feel. Exfoliators are usually found either in cream texture or as gloves or sponges, designed to be used during the shower.
Common mistakes that weaken your body hygiene routine
Some habits, though they may seem harmless, end up affecting the final result of your routine. Using the same product for face and body without distinction is one of the most common mistakes, since both areas have different needs. Another common error is skipping moisturising after the shower, thinking cleansing alone is enough, when in reality water tends to dry out the skin if it isn't sealed in afterwards with a suitable cream or lotion. Rubbing too hard while washing, instead of aiding cleansing, can irritate the skin and disrupt its protective barrier.
Tips for effective and gentle body hygiene
- Avoid very hot water, as it dries out the skin and strips its natural protection.
- Don't overdo the frequency of exfoliation, so as not to weaken the skin's barrier.
- Apply deodorant to clean, dry skin to improve its effectiveness.
- Dry the skin with gentle pats, without rubbing, to avoid unnecessary irritation.
- Finish the routine with a body cream or lotion that locks in hydration.
Keeping an orderly body hygiene routine, with products suited to each need, is the foundation on which the rest of your skincare relies, from daily hydration to protection against external factors. Spending a few minutes on it each day, without rushing or extra steps, is usually enough to notice the difference in your skin's texture and comfort.
