11 Common Hygiene Mistakes That Women Make (And The Products That Can Help)

Dead Sea Mud Coconut Oil Soap, $11, Amazon

Antibacterial soaps (or soaps with harsh ingredients like SLS) may leave you feeling clean, but they actually strip essential oils and key bacteria that your body uses to hydrate and cleanse itself on its own. This leaves your skin dry and open to infection. This Dead Sea mud coconut oil soap uses all pronounceable ingredients from nature that deeply hydrate skin while gently washing away odors, dead skin, and dirt. “Smells heavenly and works like a miracle,” says one reviewer. “Great for sensitive combination skin. Tightens skin. Removes redness. Fades brown spots. Get rid of summer back acne and year round face acne. It’s like it deep cleans (detoxes skin) and repairs.”

Violife VIO100 Toothbrush Sanitizer and Storage System, $40, Amazon

Did you know that flushing aerosolizes the germs and bacteria in your toilet? This means if you leave your toothbrush exposed to the elements in your bathroom, it is likely speckled with fecal matter. Revolted? Well, before you clamor to cover your toothbrush, you should also keep in mind that storing your toothbrush in a closed-off container could lead to mold and bacterial growth. Enter a UV-sanitizing toothbrush holder that kills 99.9 percent of bacteria while protecting your bristles from being sprayed with weaponized toilet water.

ALASKA BEAR, Natural Silk Pillowcase, $20, Amazon

While it’s hard to call sleeping on a cotton pillowcase a “mistake,” it isn’t doing your hygiene any favors. A cotton pillowcase can cause acne, dry skin, and even split ends, which is why more and more people are making the switch to silk. Not does a silk pillowcase feel luxurious, but it also won’t suck the moisture from your skin, pick up as much pore-clogging bacteria, or chafe your hair like cotton does.

CRYSTAL Essence Mineral Deodorant (3 Pack), $13, Amazon

The majority of antiperspirants use aluminum to block up your sweat glands, but in addition to disrupting your body’s natural detox systems, it’s also an element that we do not need in our body. It’s been linked to kidney problems, Alzheimer’s, bone disorders, and breast cancer.

About a year ago, I switched from my aluminum-ridden deodorant to CRYSTAL Essence mineral deodorant, which uses natural mineral salts to create a clear, non-sticky coating on the skin. This coating prevents odor-causing bacteria, and it comes in a convenient roll-on form that keeps me fresh legitimately all day.