15 Hygiene Habits We Need To Forget

May 23, 2018 by apost team

Growing up, our families taught us how to maintain and take care of our bodies by teaching us simple hygiene habits. Although you’ve probably had the same routine for years, it’s time to change that. By switching up your outdated and harmful hygiene traditions, you’ll notice great improvements in your hair, skin and overall health. Ditch these habits for good!
 

Each time you notice your skin is a little dry, you probably apply a generous amount of moisturizer. This bad habit actually causes our skin to become naturally more dry, as using too much lotion will cause our skin to adapt and produce less emollient, leaving our skin deprived of natural moisture. Dry skin causes wrinkles, so be careful with the moisturizer!
 

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Although using cotton swabs to clean your inner ear is common, it can be dangerous. Many cases of hearing loss, punctured eardrums, and even infections can be caused by this bad hygiene habit. Earwax is actually a natural, healthy substance which can help keep your ear safe from harmful bacteria or even insects. Wash excess away with water in the shower, but ditch the cotton swabs.
 

You may think the more times you brush your teeth the better, but you would be wrong. If you’ve eaten food with critic acid, it is important to wait at least an hour before brushing your teeth. During this time, your saliva will naturally neutralize acids from the food. Brushing after the meal will actually damage your tooth enamel much more than not brushing at all.
 

Much like tooth brushing, you may think that washing your hands often is the safest practice, but not if you’re making this crucial mistake. Electric air dryers that we use after washing our hands are breeding grounds for bacteria, dispersing these germs back onto your freshly-washed hands. Utilize paper towels for a safe and sanitary hand washing experience.
 

Antibacterial soaps and hand sanitizers contain harmful chemicals that are known to be cancerous. They utilize triclosan for use in place of soap and water in a bind but can be detrimental to your health. Always wash your hands with regular soap instead when possible.
 

With the growing popularity of bath bombs and other luxurious soaps meant for relaxation, it’s hard to believe that these products aren’t the best for our health. Soaking in these products can be dangerous and lead to skin problems and even infections due to the scented ingredients, which can mess up your natural pH balance.
 

Much like bubble baths, you may look forward to a long, extremely hot shower at the end of the day. But utilizing hot water in your shower is actually a bad hygiene practice. Too much of this and you could end up stripping your natural protective oils from your skin, and even end up slowing down your metabolism.
 

Much like using too much moisturizer, using too much shampoo and conditioner can be detrimental to the health of your hair. Washing your hair daily will end up stripping the natural oils from your hair, actually leaving it more oily and dry than it was previously, making you want to wash it even more and starting a vicious cycle. A better hygiene practice is to allow your hair to keep its natural oils by skipping a few washes weekly.
 

Many of us were taught to spray perfume on our wrists or neck, but this can actually be harmful. These substances can contain toxins such as acetone, or even formaldehyde, many of which are known carcinogens. Too much of these chemicals can actually accumulate in your body and be hazardous to your health. It’s a better practice to spray perfume onto articles of clothing, but skip spraying onto your underwear, as you could end up with an infection.
 

Have you noticed unexplained acne or even infections on your skin? It’s probably because you’re resting your hands on your face without noticing. This bad habit could be to blame for many of your skin problems, as our hands are a breeding-ground for bacteria. It’s also an even better hygiene practice to make sure you have clean hands before applying makeup or moisturizer to the face.
 

Even if you think your old loofah looks clean, it’s not. These products are amazing at hiding buildup of mold and other types of bacteria, which can cause skin irritation or even infections. You should be replacing yours around four times a year to ensure safety. You might love to exfoliate with this product, but using a bath sponge made out of natural materials can ensure your safety when washing.
 

How many times a day do you pick up your phone? It’s probably more than you can count, so why don’t we clean them more often? Even when we are washing our hands regularly, we are still putting our hands on our dirty devices right afterward. Cellphones can be dirtier than toilet seats because of the frequency we use them. Cleaning your devices with wipes regularly cuts down on this bacteria.
 

Although it may feel amazing to splash your face with some cold water after a workout or being outside on a hot day, it is actually a hygiene mistake. After you sweat, it’s important to remember to use more than water. Cleanse your skin with a gentle facewash instead to reduce bacteria.
 

You may think that if you’re flossing, you’re automatically doing it correctly. Most people glide floss in between the teeth and remove it. You should actually be flossing in between your teeth, and also softly on the top of each tooth as well. Take extra caution not to prick your gums, or you’ll start bleeding.
 

Growing up, you probably used cotton pillowcases. As we all know, cotton is absorbent, which can be detrimental to the health of your hair and skin. Sleeping on these is a little outdated, as many people have begun to exchange them for silk pillowcases instead. The smoothness of the silk against your skin helps prevent wrinkles and is more gentle for your hair.
 

You were probably taught to follow these incorrect practices decades ago and still follow them. Which of these new hygiene habits are you actually willing to try? Tell us in the comments and make sure everyone you know sees this!