Hello!

After years of bathing your children, washing their hair and supervising tooth brushing to ensure they are squeaky clean from head to toe; teen years approach and it’s time to let them loose.

What is a mother to do?

Boys especially can be lazy so it’s important to start the education process early before puberty hits at around age 10-12.

Be mindful that all children develop at different stages and of the difference between the needs of boys and girls.

Here are some helpful tips to help correct the wrongs into rights to help guide teens into having a great personal care routine of their own:

Ten do’s & don’ts of teen hygiene

  1. Do go out and buy them their own teen products. These products are developed especially for hormonal teenage skin and changing body development. For boys try 808 Dude and the girls Harmonis Kiss. Both Australian and natural.
  2. Do show them how to use the products step-by-step. If it is washing their face, explain how much to use and whether to apply to a wet or dry face and suggest using a face cloth.
  3. Do check in on them occasionally and ask how they are going. Be aware that if they are starting to experience pimples it can affect them emotionally. Choose natural skincare as opposed to chemical products as they tend to strip the skin of moisture and can cause all sorts of problems down the road such as sun sensitivity.

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  4. Do explain the reason why they smell (i.e. bacteria dying off creates the stink around their sweat glands) and how to prevent it by washing and using deodorant.
  5. Do remind them to brush their teeth every night. As teens stay up later, they often go to bed and fall asleep without brushing their teeth. Make it a rule they brush their teeth before hopping into bed.
  6. Don’t assume your teens will ask for what they actually need. Advertising of male spray products influences them and is not ideal for their developing bodies as they are full of chemicals.
  7. Don’t assume they know how to use the products correctly. Explain the concept of the size of a 50 cent piece when pouring out shampoo.
  8. Don’t assume that just because there’s a lot of product in the shower that your son or daughter will use it correctly. Often it is too confusing so they’ll use nothing. By giving them a teen product they can identify with, they will more likely use it.
  9. Don’t assume they’ll tell you when they run out. Always keep spare product in the cupboard.
  10. Don’t use negative language. Reinforce how nice they smell after a shower of how good their hair is looking.

Have you ever had a challenge with your teens’ hygiene? How have you overcome this, please share in the comments below.

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  • I had all girls and they were very good at looking after their own hygiene

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  • I think I’ll be ‘reminding’ them until they’re in their 40’s!!!!
    Some good tips there.

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  • It can help with their self confidence too and energy levels if they feel good about themselves. They seem to want privacy, but still need the guidance of parents and gentle reminders, hard to sometimes get the balance right.

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  • These tips are actually very helpful.

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  • I can’t believe how quickly this time is approaching us. We are already super vigilant with hygiene so hopefully our kids can carry that through into teen hood!

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  • I like tip 10, such a good reminder to keep on to it in a positive way.
    My little isn’t so little anymore and before you know it she will be a teen. She is always really active and we have spoken about the way our body tells us we are ready for a shower etc.
    Tbh, I didn’t even know there was specially formulated teenage stuff, I thought all face wash was (somewhat) equal. Such great insights

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  • This is a brilliant article. I stupidly assumed that my teenager knew to wash their face – they didn’t. We have now implemented a skin care routine.

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  • I am trying to find the right product! There is such a wide variety out there and the prices vary so much. Can anyone recommend a set that wont break the bank and has great results please?

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  • I have a teen and is so hard to make him have a routine. And he does not want to go shopping with me anymore. so, a good excuse was when we went Xmas shopping the other day and I went to a lovely store where I asked directly for advice and they explain to him the use of the products. so it’s better when somebody that is not mum talk with them. he got all pampered and i bought him all the things he need it and he mixed and matched his favorite scent. And the things he wants to use to make it easy for him. 2 weeks and so far is working .

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  • I find that if they smell good, their self esteem automatically increases. So get them a few bottles of deodorant or roll on to put on their school bag or locker or even keep one in the car for after sports.

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  • Yes currently have a teen and pre-teen. Getting their own products is definately an incentive to keep them on top of their own hygiene.

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  • Try and start a routine early, in the pre-teen years. May not always work, but the foundation is there!

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  • Great tips. My kids are just about there I think this popped up and a good time

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  • Great way to start. Even my 8 year old I check in on already. Half the shampoo is gone in 1 day or she’s not getting the back of her teeth when she brushs haha. Never too early to start these!

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  • Love the suggestions! My teen especially loves having her own products that are just for her to use.

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  • Can’t wait for my son to hit the teen years ????

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  • I loved this article and can vouch, once I started using more positive and decorative language my teenage son reposted alot better.

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  • I love all these suggestions, unfortunately they dont work on my step teen who refuses to shower.

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  • Great tips, it’s very hard convincing a pre teen or teen that you have to have good hygiene

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  • We aren’t at that stage yet but some excellent tips here. I didn’t realise there are specific teen products for a reason.

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