Life
16 Nasty But Necessary Things Every Grown-ass Woman Needs
Let’s just put it out there — I’m a sweater. For instance, if any gym needed an emergency fire sprinkler, they could twirl me around after a spin class and the fire would be drenched in seconds. It might be nasty, but sweating or smelling are things every grown-ass woman needs to deal with.
And even though a lot of silly beauty myths about women seem like a thing of the past now (We poop! Get over it!), sometimes we have a hard time admitting that we don't always have hairless, delicate skin that smells like roses. Sometimes we sweat profusely, have ingrown hairs, and you can smell our sneakers from across the room. There's absolutely nothing wrong with any of that, it just means it's good to have a couple things to keep our natural grossness at bay.
Whether you'd like something to help you avoid rubbing and blisters when you wear your favorite heels, or you need a bra-liner to keep your sweat from turning your shirt into an accidental ombre, we have you covered. It's not like you need to be a perfectly clean, sparkling example of womanhood at all times, but sometimes it's just nicer for you to not have to worry about chafed thighs or bikini shaving rash.
It might feel a little nasty to deal with all these weird body quirks that nobody wants to talk about, but remember you're not alone. Every woman deals with these things, whether it's you or Gigi Hadid. After all, you're a grown-ass woman and everything your body does is part of what makes you great.
1A Cream Made For Cyclists But Perfect For Anyone Who Chafes
Petal Power Joy Ride Natural Anti-Chafe Cream, $20, Amazon
The idea of riding your bike on a sunny summer's day is lovely. The reality of a day on a bike can mean a lot bikini area chafing and butt pain. Luckily, this creme keeps your ride smooth and painless — and because this plant-based formula is great for any kind of friction, it'll work for any day you experience chafing or irritation from your thighs rubbing together. It's all vegan with no animal testing, parabens, or petroleum. Made in the USA, it's very mild for those of you with sensitive skin. It's a no-tingle formula that's made to avoid micro-tears and keeps your skin soft and feeling good.
2A Spray To Save Your Feet In Your Most Punishing Heels
PreHeels Clear Blister Prevention Spray, $14, Amazon
Blisters are gross, and you can save that one band-aid in your purse and use this simple spray instead. Just spray wherever your feet need a little protection and this creates a barrier between your sensitive toes and your tough shoes. It dries super quick and won't rub off over the inside of your heels, and it's water- and sweat-resistant, so it will stay in place. It's hypoallergenic and washes off with soap and water, too. And the best part? This company gives 5 percent of all profits to cancer research, so you're helping the world while saving your feet.
3A Wipe To Keep Your Pits Bone Dry
SweatBlock Antiperspirant Towelettes, $19 (8 Pack), Amazon
Sometimes, you just have to stop the sweat before it starts and this wipe does just that. Wipe the towelette wherever you need some serious sweat protection and this will keep you dry for up to seven days! These are clinical strength, doctor recommended, and one Amazon reviewer sums it up best: "Sweat Block has been so effective for me for this problem that it almost qualifies as a miracle drug."
4A Natural Deodorant You Can Use Anywhere
Crystal Body Deodorant Spray, $15 (6 Pack), Amazon
Odor isn't confined to your pits — it can pop up anywhere and this spray is a great natural solution. You won't find any chemicals, parabens, aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum zirconium, or other bizarre items in the spray. The spray is hypoallergenic and forms a layer of protection between you and odor causing bacteria, so it stops smells before they start. Keep this in your purse for those moments you suddenly realize you might smell.
5The Quick Test Strips That Keep Your Urinary Tract In Check
Azo Urinary Tract Infection Test, $9, Amazon
Urinary Tract Infections happen to the best of us, but it can be hard to tell if you actually have an infection or just a weird peeing day, so these tests clear it all up for you. Just pee on the strip and in two minutes you'll know if you have a UTI or not. This is the exact same test doctors use, so you know it's legit — and the faster you do this test, the faster you get to a doctor, do a cranberry juice cleanse, and get it all over with.
6These Wipes To Help You Freshen Up
Swipes Lovin Wipes, $7, Amazon
Whenever you need a little cleanup, these wipes do the trick — but let's be honest, they're meant to be used after you're done gettin' it on. Who doesn't need a little freshening up after that? They're unscented and alcohol free, so they'll feel nice in sensitive areas, and the wipes are fully flushable, so there won't be any embarrassing toilet shenanigans during your date. They're also enhanced with Vitamin E and aloe to keep your skin soft and lovely. The product and packaging are especially eco-friendly, made with 98 percent renewable resources and 70 percent less plastic than similar containers, so this is a lifesaver for the planet, too.
7A Peel That Makes Your Feet Feel New Again
Grace & Stella Dr. Pedicure Foot Exfoliation Mask, $13, Amazon
To easily fix cracked heels, try this coconut foot mask and watch your feet become reborn. Seriously, so much skin will peel off. And you don't have to worry that you're giving your feet some chemical treatment — it's made from 17 vegetable extracts that help remove the skin and give you a little energy. So if your heels are in tough shape, this is the best way to get smooth skin without filing away for hours — you wear them for a little bit, and the dead skin will peel away (ew!) all week, revealing the baby soft skin underneath.
8A Bra Liner To Save Your Boobs In Sweat Season
Wick 'em Sensitive Skin Bra Liner, $19, Amazon
Look — our boobs sweat. They just do. And sometimes they give you those obnoxious underboob stains that will remind you just how much they can sweat. Thankfully, these bra liners absorb the sweat and keep your shirts dry. It wicks away moisture, so your boobs stay cool and comfortable and there's no risk of rash or irritation. After a hot day's work, throw the 100 percent cotton liner in the wash and reuse it again and again.
9A Relaxing Foot Soak That Eliminates Odors And Fungus
Tea Tree Oil Therapeutic Foot Soak, $13, Amazon
Usually anything that gets rid of foot odor is something that you have to pour into your shoe. So instead of dealing with that weirdness, use this natural foot soak. Made with tea tree oil and epsom salt, this treatment will eliminate all fungus and bacteria, and soothe your aching feet. There's no synthetic fragrances or dyes, just essential oils and salts to soften your skin and wash away any grossness of the day. What other foot odor treatment gives you the excuse to have a spa day whenever you feel like it? Yeah, that's why this is the best.
10A Bath Towel To Make Your Skin As Smooth As Silk
Salux Nylon Japanese Beauty Skin Wash Cloth, $11 (3 Pack), Amazon
OK, it does look like I accidentally threw some dishcloths in the mix by accident, but I promise these are here for a reason. These simple Japanese wash cloths are designed to smooth rough skin in your shower or bath. I don't just mean a touch of dry skin, I mean these cloths can take care of the roughest patches. One Amazon user wrote, "Oh dear god why didn't I find these before. These work way better than any loofah or sponge I ever used. The KP Or keratosis pilaris or chicken skin or bumps on your arms are gone after using this! Gone! I'm not talking like toned down I mean I have smooth skin for once in my life."
11A Shaving Cream To Help Bumpy Bikini Lines
IntiMD Coochy Plus Intimate Shave Cream, $11, Amazon
I am incapable of shaving my bikini zone without causing a million cuts and ingrown hairs. I'm just the worst at it. But I could save myself a lot of trouble with this moisturizing shaving cream, and if you shave your bikini line, then so can you. With natural jojoba seed, avocado oil, shea butter, and aloe vera, your intimate parts will be moisturized as you shave. And the cream also softens the hair, creating an invisible layer to keep skin safe and free from irritation. You can use this on any part of your body, but with these gentle, anti-inflammatory ingredients, it's really best for the most sensitive areas.
12A Shower Gel To Stop Odor Before It Starts
Natural and Organic Antifungal Soap With Tea Tree Oil, $16, Amazon
BO can strike at totally random times, so if you want to protect yourself from it before you even step out of the shower, try out this body soap. It's made from organic ingredients like tea tree oil and mint that not only keeps you smelling fresh, but are naturally anti-fungal. The gel will eliminate odor causing bacteria and take care of athlete's foot, itchy skin, and body odor. It naturally smells great, is perfect for all genders, and covers your body in an awakening scent that lasts all day.
13A Natural Toothpaste That Whitens Your Teeth In A Flash
Activated Charcoal Teeth Whitening Toothpaste, $8, Amazon
Rubbing coal black toothpaste all over your smile seems like the worst idea possible, but this activated charcoal toothpaste will make your teeth brighter almost immediately! You get all the good things of a regular toothpaste, but this a chemical-free way to polish your teeth to a beautiful shine. One Amazon user wrote, "The toothpaste is amazing! It makes your teeth feel so clean. You can see the change in the color of your teeth after the first use."
14An All Natural Mouth Wash That Keeps Your Breath Fresh
TheraBreath Fresh Breath Oral Rinse, $14 (2 Pack), Amazon
Do you ever think it's kind of weird that we swish a ton of alcohol around our mouths every morning? Sure, until you stop doing it and get bad breath. So if you'd like an alcohol-free morning routine that will keep you fresh, try this mouth rinse. It's natural, dentist approved, and still gives you that minty morning boost. It's certified vegan, gluten-free, and kosher with no artificial ingredients, but it destroys the bacteria that causes bad breath. Don't worry about gargling a burning solution every day, this doesn't sting but prevents odor for hours.
15A Skin Brush That Takes Care Of Ingrown Hairs
WIZKER Brush, $11, Amazon
Put the tweezers away and try this exfoliating brush to take care of your ingrown hairs. The brush is light and flexible, but strong enough that you won't have bristles breaking off all over the place. Just lightly scrub an area where there's irritation, bumps, or ingrown hairs, and the brush will gently take care of them for you. Bonus: It feels nice against your skin, too.
16An Underwear Liner That Makes Your Farts Not Stink
Subtle Butt Gas Neutralizers, $13 (5 Pack), Amazon
Here's some TMI: I have horrible gas. It's a real problem. At least it might be less of a problem for the people around me if I used these gas neutralizers. You wear them in your underwear, place them in the butt area, and they promise to take the smell out of errant farts. They're made of antimicrobial material that's filled with charcoal pads that eliminate odors. These are thin enough to wear under any outfit and it won't look like you're wearing some old timey pad under your jeans. Once your farts have been neutralized for the day, just throw the pad away and no one will ever know your gassy secrets.
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