Hygiene: The care of our body reflects our beauty and well-being
Undoubtedly, the daily care of our body hygiene is one of the most important factors to take into account to enjoy good health. The skin is one of our most vital organs, because it acts as a great barrier that prevents the passage of germs, while contributing to the regulation of body temperature (producing sweat through the sweat glands). In addition, there are other sebaceous glands, which secrete an oily matter responsible for the waterproofing and lubrication of the skin.
To keep these characteristics stable and to give a healthy and perfect appearance to our skin, we must take into account the different products we will use in the bath, depending on our skin type and the care we need. Perfume's Club wants to give you some advice on what steps and products to apply to your body during your daily hygiene routine.
Taking into account your age and skin type, you will be able to choose the shower gel, toothpaste or deodorant that respects and benefits your skin the most.
Hygiene for every skin type
Choosing a good bath gel or body moisturizer that adapts to the characteristics of our skin is important to keep it healthy, elastic and with its properties intact. Not everyone has the same skin type, so we will tell you which hygiene products are right for your skin:
- For normal skin: this is the type of skin with the most balanced characteristics, so we will not require much attention, other than the use of gels that are not too drying and daily moisturizing.
- For dry skin: this skin does not retain liquids well and tends to dry quickly when exposed to the outside. With it we should follow a special daily moisturizing care. Gels with aloe vera will be very useful for repairing and keeping it elastic, as well as those containing glycerin or other moisturizing components. Finally, vegetable body oils (such as almond oil) will help stabilize the metabolism of this skin type.
- For oily skin: in this case, our skin has an excess of natural fat production on the skin surface, so we can correct it using gels that stabilize it and have a neutral pH. Both gels and creams must be free of oils, and if they also contain antiseptic properties (astringent components such as alcohol) they will help us. Contrary to popular belief, oily skin also benefits from vegetable oils such as jojoba oil, which help regulate its metabolism.
- For combination skin: as this type of skin is halfway between dry and oily honey, we will see how best it comes to us are valid products for the two types mentioned above. We will opt for soaps, gels and body creams free of oils or astringent ingredients, but without neglecting the hydration of those areas that present dryness.
- For sensitive or atopic skin: it is a delicate skin type, prone to redness and allergic reactions to many products. To treat them we will look for hypoallergenic gels and moisturizers with mild characteristics (without free radicals), especially indicated for this type of skin. Some properties such as omega3 and emollients such as aloe vera will help us a lot to treat it.
Components of our bathing products
Have you ever tried to understand the label on your regular shower gel or hand soap? Nowadays, the components of body hygiene products are increasingly being mentioned due to the preservatives parabens that end up being harmful to our skin. But in general terms, we are going to tell you the basic ingredients that make a personal hygiene product that respects your skin effective:
- Water: this is the diluent par excellence of our gels, although in some cases, it can be the oil of vegetable origin.
- Emulsifiers and detergents, such as anionic surfactants, which are responsible for foaming and are also the detergent responsible for the removal of dirt and microorganisms.
- Other types of surfactants present, depending on the formula, may be glycosides that are remarkable for being mild, biodegradable and highly tolerated in sensitive skin. They come from natural raw materials such as coconut or sugar. We can also find others that reduce eye and skin irritation caused by the detergent in the recipe, etc.
- Glycerin: is the moisturizing active ingredient of our gel. It retains water in the upper layers of the skin. They are good for dry skin as they prevent the dryness generated by detergents.
- Aromatizers: are the perfumes and fragrances that give the characteristic smell of your gel.
pH correctors: they are some like citric acid (derived from lemon) that help to maintain the acidity level (pH) of the product so as not to alter the skin's natural acid mantle. - Preservatives: and here we have the parabens whose main mission is to protect the cosmetic product and to maintain it in microbiologically adequate conditions during its storage. Due to the aggressiveness of their chemical components (which can be toxic to our skin), they are being discontinued to the detriment of other types more respectful of our skin. For this reason, our personal hygiene products contain natural preservatives and antioxidant components that are harmless to our skin and effective in their function.
Don't forget to always check which components are in your bath gels and soaps to see if they are suitable and respectful of your skin, as well as to prevent any components to which you may be allergic (as they also indicate which are the most likely to cause allergy as a rule).
How to take care of our personal hygiene
Just as important as your daily hygiene is knowing how to apply it. So from Perfume's Club we want to offer you some simple guidelines for your daily care that will be very practical for you.
- The first thing to keep in mind when entering the bathroom is which is going to be the most beneficial gel or body soap to cleanse the skin. For that you must know:
- Oily skin will need products that rinse well with water and are oil-free. Better if you use gel, and the more sparkling the better.
- Combination skins will be more prone to oily (oil-free) skin gels, but if they contain any moisturizers, so much the better. They should also be soaps that can be rinsed well with plenty of water.
- For dry skin, it is best not to be exposed to water for long periods of time. If you use emulsified cleansing milks you will do much better and of course your main allies will be vegetable oils and other moisturizers. Avoid rubbing the different areas of your body too much.
- For sensitive skin, it is best to use free radical-free gels, alcohol-free and without any other harsh elements. You should try to be gentle and massage instead of rubbing when cleaning your skin. It is also not advisable to expose yourself to water for a long time when rinsing.
- Next we will move on to body exfoliation, an unusual practice, which if we get used to following it will give us a smooth and shiny skin. There are different types of body scrubs: gel, cream or oil-based scrubbing salts. To choose it, we must take into account the same guidelines as with gels. Therefore, if your skin is oily or mixed, it is best to avoid exfoliating salts or cream and opt for the gel; if it is dry, the best option would be exfoliating creams with moisturizing characteristics or salts bathed in oil; in the case of sensitive skin, the best option would be to use those specially indicated for this type of skin.
- After the skin has been well rinsed, it will be hydrated, the most important step in the process. We will follow the same guidelines of recommendation for each type of skin, when choosing our cream, body milk or moisturizing oil. The product should be applied with special emphasis on the areas that tend to dry out the most (such as elbows and knees), and wait about ten minutes without getting dressed to give the skin time to breathe and absorb the nutrients.
- Finally, we must choose a good deodorant: spray, roll-on or stick must be suitable for your skin type. Not all are the same, but spray deodorants generally contain alcohol, perfumers and other harsh agents, so it is not recommended for sensitive skin, but may be beneficial for oily or combination skin. Roll-on and stick deodorants are good for both dry and sensitive skin as they help to keep the skin hydrated while protecting the area gently and delicately.
Even if it takes some time, or can be tedious, take the time to follow these steps daily and you'll get that healthy, perfect skin we all want!