Growing up can be an awkward and humbling experience for everyone but due to bodily changes, there becomes a specific task that some people might neglect: hygiene. 

It is easy to assume that neglecting some aspects of hygiene won’t cause much harm. Still, according to surveys by the American Cleaning Institute and Value Penguin, 42% of Americans do not wash their hands after using the bathroom. Not washing your hands makes people unclean and can also lead to multiple diseases that either you or other people can contract.

Some important qualities to keep in mind when it comes to hygiene are that unlike what social media may try to portray, having those extensive routines will not be what keeps you clean, but rather, the consistency of a simple routine that begins inside. 

It starts with the basics: washing hands, daily showers, getting proper sleep and eating healthier. Continuing these habits helps prevent strong body odor and bacterial infections or illnesses. 

Eating greasy or strong-smelling foods has been seen to cause body odor as it reacts with sweat, making the smell stronger. So, switching to eating healthier options not only makes body odor smell less potent but also the body function properly. 

If it’s within affordability, the addition of deodorants/antiperspirants, perfumes/mists and other products can improve smell. Choosing a particular scent, such as vanilla or floral scents, mask the natural body odor, but without doing basic hygiene, it will end up backfiring as it could clash with one another. 

Overall, having an effective yet basic hygiene routine allows the body to smell clean, while keeping yourself healthy in the long run.