As a fan of both natural health and personal hygiene, it was a little disheartening to find out that daily showers aren’t great for you. I thus found myself asking, “Are there things I can do in the shower to feel fresher between washes?" The answer, it turns out, is a resounding yes. It might seem counterintuitive, but by switching up your routine a little, you can actually train your body to do what it does best — rejuvenate and clean itself — without that daily shower.
The same way cats are equipped with natural hygienic mechanisms (like a barbed tongue and detergent-like saliva), our bodies have delicate systems in place to take care of germs and bacteria. Unfortunately, most harsh soap-based products stifle or wipe out those systems, so bad bacteria and odors come back stronger, and hygiene becomes an uphill battle.
No, I’m not suggesting that you stop washing yourself (nor should you start doing it with your tongue). But there are smarter alternatives that support your body’s self-cleaning functions, and the general consensus seems to be that natural is better. I’ve compiled a list of my favorites here, so if you decide to take a few days' hiatus in between your showers, you can do so with confidence, poise, and happy smells.
Filter Water With A Mineralized Showerhead For A Gentler Wash
ZenFresh Filtration Shower Head , $18, Amazon
Chlorine and other chemicals in tap water dry out your skin and hair, which forces your body to overproduce oils in an attempt to compensate. That’s why switching out your shower head for this ZenFresh shower head should be your first step toward cleanliness. It has mineral spheres in the handle, which pull harsh impurities out of the water. Nonetheless, you don’t have to sacrifice shower pressure or quality; this thing is durable, affordable, and easy to install.
Switch Out Soap For All-Natural Coffee & Olive
Coffee-Olive Soap , $11, Amazon
The next step to making that just-showered feeling last longer between washes is switching out commercial soap for one that’s gentle and all-natural. This coffee-olive soap is handmade without parabens, sulfates, or alcohol, which helps preserve your body’s natural moisture levels. Because olive oil has vitamin E and natural antioxidants, it’s great for both moisturizing and rejuvenating. The organic coffee grounds provide gentle exfoliation as well as the little kick you need to start your day. Users love both the smell and how great it is for sensitive skin.
Beat Odors & Mild Irritations With Tea Tree Oil
Tea Tree Body And Foot Wash , $15, Amazon
If you’re looking for something a little stronger, this tea tree body and foot wash is a natural and organic way to soothe fungal-related problems or body odor. Tea tree oil is known to provide relief for many irritating skin issues, but it’s still gentle enough to be used as a full body wash. It kills the excess bacteria that leads to unpleasant smells or outbreaks, and it’s great on dry winter skin, too.
Minimize Body Odors With Magnesium
Magnesium Oil , $24, Amazon
Magnesium is a wonderful hack for shower-skippers because it means less body odor, which your body can produce when it’s magnesium-deficient (and many of us are). This magnesium oil comes in a convenient pump bottle for easy application, and because it’s mixed with aloe vera, it’s super healthy for your skin. It absorbs right into your skin to provide your body with the minerals it needs to alleviate things like cramps, sore muscles, and headaches — but those are just added bonuses. Plus, because it’s all natural, you know you're not irritating skin further with synthetic chemicals.
Cleanse Deeply With Coconut Conditioner
Coconut Cleansing Conditioner , $8, Amazon
If you find yourself having to wash your hair every day, it may be because your normal shampoo strips natural oils from your hair — forcing your body to mass-produce new ones. A good cleansing conditioner, like this all-natural coconut co-wash, might be your answer. It gently removes residue while leaving your hair’s natural sheen intact, and because it has ultra-moisturizing ingredients like coconut oil and tangerine, it helps your scalp find a healthy balance. That makes for a clean feeling that helps hair stay less oily between showers.
Massage Face Softly With Bamboo Charcoal
Konjac Heart Sponges , $12, Amazon
These konjac sponges are a great little trick for massaging delicate facial skin. They’re made with activated bamboo charcoal, which pulls impurities from your skin in addition to gently exfoliating it. They’re also antibacterial, hypoallergenic, and environmentally friendly. This box comes with three different kinds — charcoal for oily skin, green tea for sunburns, and natural white for sensitive skin. Because they dry quickly, they're also less likely to harbor moisture-loving germs, like other sponges do.
Moisturize & Manage Bacteria With Coconut Oil
CocoMe Bodystick , $16, Amazon
Coconut oil’s one of those things that’s great for just about anything, and skin is no exception. This CocoMe Bodystick provides the healing and moisturizing qualities of virgin coconut oil in a simple, convenient, and non-messy applicator. The only other ingredient is beeswax, which is just as natural and hydrating, and because both have antibacterial properties, they’ll keep fighting odor-causing microbes long after you’ve applied it.
Clean & Exfoliate Your Face With Coffee
Thrive Energy Scrub , $13, Amazon
Your face deserves its morning blast of caffeine, too, and that’s why this Thrive Energy Scrub is an awesome way to naturally buff away impurities without irritating the skin. Its Costa Rican plant oils and arabica coffee grounds hydrate and renew your skin without any chemicals or harsh ingredients, so your skin’s oil levels stay balanced. It also benefits a great cause, as this brand partners with rural farmers who help renew overworked farmland. Reviewers widely say it’s the best scrub they’ve ever used, and their skin has never felt smoother and fresher.
Shave Closely & Less Frequently
Blade Buddy , $15, Amazon
The best way to avoid irritating nicks and cuts is to make sure your razor is always sharp. This Blade Buddy keeps razors of all kinds (yes, even disposables) sharp and effective, so hair and skin are significantly less irritated while shaving. Also, because shaves are closer, they last longer, and you can feel fresher and smoother for another day or two. Simply lather and push your razor along the pad, and you’ve got a razor that stays sharper for longer.
Use A Back Loofah To Clean Hard-To-Reach Spots
Bamboo Back Scrubber , $15, Amazon
If you’re going to forego some showers, you should probably make the ones you do take really count. This bamboo back scrubber is a great way to clean and exfoliate all those hard-to-reach places without irritation. It helps unclog pores on your back, so oil won’t build up and cause breakouts. Plus, because it’s made with entirely sustainable bamboo fibers, it’s all-natural and eco-friendly. Just grab the easy-grip handles on either side, and scrub away.
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Images: Pixabay ; Amazon (10)
