11 Little Hygiene Rules All Men Should Live By
Updated: Aug. 16, 2018Guys, here's how to look and smell your best with a few simple grooming tweaks.
Reduce foot odor
Scrub your feet every day, and make sure to dry them completely (don’t forget between your toes!) as soon as you hop out of the shower. Before you slip on socks, apply antiperspirant to your feet to keep odors at bay.
Prevent a dull razor
Oxidation can dull your blades, but mineral oil will stop the process to keep them sharper longer. After shaving, soak your razor for a few minutes in a shallow dish of mineral oil, then use rubbing alcohol to clean the blades. These 10 products for men will help you look and feel more polished.
Freshen up without the shower
If you don’t have time for a full shower, you can still leave the house feeling clean. Add 4 tablespoons of baking soda to a sink full of water, then use a washcloth or sponge to rub yourself down with the solution.
Don’t be afraid of body grooming
If the hair on your head has started thinning, you might find that the hair on your nose, back, and ears is growing in full force. Clean up your look by trimming, plucking, or waxing any unwanted hair.
Don’t neglect your armpits
Armpit hair traps bacteria, making body odor more intense. During the summer, trim your armpit hair for fresher, cleaner pits. Here’s what your body odor reveals about your health.
Prevent ingrown hairs
If you tend to get ingrown hairs, soften facial hair before you shave by lathering for five minutes with shaving cream or pre-shave oil, such as Alluvian Pre-Shave & Beard Oil, which has essential oils, antioxidants, and vitamins for even sensitive skin. (You can buy the shave oil—and other men’s grooming products—on the Navago website, a curated online marketplace of eco-conscious indie beauty and wellness brands.) Use a shaving brush for a richer lather and even softer skin. Always use a sharp blade and shave in the direction your hair grows. Finish by applying a gentle moisturizer.
Keep your armpits fresh
Rub a cotton ball soaked with tea tree oil or witch hazel to keep your underarms dry, fresh, and bacteria-free. Alternatively, vinegar, rubbing alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide will kill odor-causing bacteria. Body odor is just one of the 25 dating deal breakers for women.
Shave after (or in) your shower
Hot water and steam open your pores and make your stubble softer, so wait until you’re well into your shower to get the least painful shave. After five minutes under the spray, you might be able to get a nick-free shave without any shaving cream.
Change your razor often
Without a sharp blade, you could end up with red blotches on your face and neck, so make sure to change it out regularly. These are the 9 grooming treatments every man should be getting.
Shave off five years from your look—literally
Facial hair tends to look older. Trim down a full beard into a goatee for a more youthful look, or go totally clean-shaven.
Wear breathable clothes
Synthetic fibers like nylon and spandex don’t let your skin breathe, making you more prone to body odor. Pick a natural material like cotton to give your skin more air. Plus, make sure they’re loose enough. Tighter clothes will trap sweat against your skin, giving you icky sweat stains and BO. Now that you’ve got your leisure gear down, learn the 7 men’s office styles that will earn you a promotion.