24 Essential Feminine Hygiene Tips Every Woman Should Know

• Our bodies as women face many challenges that can be hard to navigate.
• Accurate information about women's bodies is often scarce or misleading.
• Here are 24 essential feminine hygiene tips every girl should know.

Our bodies as women go through a lot, and sometimes that can get hard to handle. Firstly, there's not a lot of genuine, accurate information present about women's bodies online or otherwise. Secondly, a lot of the information that is out there can often be misleading and inaccurate. In fact, many of the tips that I'm sharing with you guys in this video are things that I personally learned very, very late in life, and I don't want that to be you. So here are 24 feminine hygiene tips that every girl needs to know.

1. Don't be afraid to shampoo frequently, especially if you are physically active. Workouts are great for our bodies, minds, and souls, but an unintended side effect of being physically active or just going out a lot is that you sweat. That sweat often gets mixed with sebum on your scalp, which can clog your pores and hair follicles, causing issues like fungal infections and dandruff. Many people will advise you to go shampoo-free to preserve natural oils, but that's subjective advice. In modern environments, especially with regular gym sessions, it's not always the best advice. A dirty scalp can lead to infections, and I once caught a fungal infection from my scalp in school; it was challenging to get rid of it. Therefore, I make it a point to wash my hair frequently. While it's challenging to wash hair every day, especially if you have long hair, I wash mine every other day. Nourishing your scalp can also include oiling and massaging it once or twice a week.

2. Clean your hair brushes every week. I cannot stress this enough; most people neglect this task. Hair brushes are like sponges, collecting everything from your scalp, including dead skin, hair particles, dust, and product buildup. If you’re not washing your brushes, you are prone to infections and debris re-depositing back onto your scalp. It’s ideal to wash your brushes once a week. If you haven’t done that already, this is your sign! You only need some shampoo, an old toothbrush, and 5 minutes. Mix shampoo with water, dip the brush, let it sit, then remove the buildup with the toothbrush and rinse with clean water.

3. Learn how to condition your hair correctly. I was 28 when I learned that you should condition every time you shampoo, but there’s a right way to do it. Golden Rule: Never apply conditioner to your scalp unless the product explicitly states so. After washing, squeeze water out of your hair gently—avoid tying or scrunching it when doing this—to prevent conditioner from washing away. Use a towel to soak up excess water. After applying conditioner, leave it on for 5-10 minutes with your hair up to prevent it from dripping down your back. To improve absorption, I started using a self-heating hair cap with my mask.

4. Floss once every 2 days. I take excellent care of my teeth, but after a recent dental visit, I learned that plaque accumulates in gaps that are sometimes genetic. Food gets stuck in places a toothbrush can’t reach, and my dentist recommended flossing. Even if you find it challenging, try doing it while sitting comfortably rather than in front of a mirror for better coordination.

5. Learn how to brush correctly. Many of us have been brushing our teeth since childhood but still don’t do it right. Hold your toothbrush at a 45° angle, and use a gentle motion to remove gunk rather than just polishing the enamel. Avoid harsh back-and-forth motions that can cause gum recession and sensitivity.

6. Scrape your tongue. Tongue cleaners were essential for previous generations, but many skip this step today. Dental professionals agree that the tongue harbors millions of bacteria, which can cause bad breath and oral hygiene issues. A simple tongue scraper can solve this; do it daily when brushing your teeth.

7. Try oil pulling. This may not resonate with everyone, but I find it refreshes my mouth and breath. While scientific opinions on its efficacy vary, in Ayurvedic tradition, it’s considered beneficial. If you try it, start once a week for 5 minutes and see if you notice any differences.

8. If you shave your body, use conditioner instead of shaving cream. Conditioner contains proteins that smoothen your skin. However, if you have acne on the area, avoid using it there. The key is to wash it off after shaving to keep your skin clean and smooth.

9. Double cleanse your body. Just as double cleansing your face improves cleanliness, doing the same for your body is beneficial. After using your body wash, follow up with a scrub or washcloth to ensure dead skin cells and bacteria are thoroughly removed.

10. Don't forget to clean behind your ears and under your folds. Areas like under your elbows, behind your knees, and the back of your neck are often missed but can harbor sweat and dirt. Make sure to give extra attention to those spots while showering.

11. Skip the loofahs. Instead, use a washcloth or exfoliating glove. Loofahs can harbor bacteria when moisture gets trapped. Replacing them with a washable towel means a cleaner exfoliating process protecting your skin hygiene.

12. Clean your makeup brushes regularly. Ideally, do it after every use, but aim for at least weekly. I use a brush holder with a scrubbing pad to simplify this process, and I ensure my brushes stay covered to avoid dust accumulation.

13. To smell great, layer fragrances with similar notes. Use body wash, lotion, and perfume with matching scents, which helps the fragrance last longer. Applying vaseline on your pulse points before spraying perfume can extend its longevity.

14. Skip feminine hygiene washes. These products are often strongly scented and can disrupt your vaginal health. Your lady parts are self-cleaning; just rinse with mild soap and water externally.

15. When washing your intimate areas, avoid douching. This practice can disrupt your vaginal flora, leading to infections. Use mild soap and just wash the outside.

16. Trim your pubic hair instead of removing it completely. They serve to prevent infections, and trimming is often sufficient. Removing all hair can lead to issues like UTIs.

17. Wash your underwear daily. If you sweat a lot or have discharge, change often. Neglecting this creates a breeding ground for bacteria. Wash with mild detergent and thoroughly dry them in the sun.

18. Go commando at night. Let your lady parts breathe by not wearing underwear while sleeping. Clean pajamas or shorts can help with airflow and hygiene.

19. Prevent yeast infections by maintaining gut health. Probiotics can balance your vaginal flora and help prevent infections. Cranberry capsules and probiotic-rich foods can be beneficial.

20. Always carry toilet sanitizer spray in your bag. Before using a public toilet, spray the seat and flush handle. This simple practice can help prevent infections.

21. Schedule annual visits with your gynecologist. Regular check-ups can lead to early detection of issues and promote overall health. If you haven’t received the HPV vaccine, consider getting it.

22. Monitor your bowel movements. The state of your poop can indicate your health. If you notice irregularities, get checked out.

23. Do not hold your bowel movements or pee. Delaying either can cause serious health issues, including urinary infections.

24. Take care of your gut health. It influences your overall well-being. Feed it nutritious, probiotic-rich foods to maintain a healthy balance.

That was it for the 24 feminine hygiene tips every girl should know! If you think I missed something, let me know! Keep an eye out for my upcoming video on menstrual health tips. If you enjoyed this video, please give it a thumbs up, subscribe, and check out my next video!