How to Have a Healthy Personal Care Routine

What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning? Some people might brush their teeth, while some might take a shower. It is important to build a healthy personal care routine that includes proper skin care, oral hygiene, and shower hygiene. Having a healthy personal care routine will leave you feeling refreshed and can improve your overall well-being.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Creating a Morning Routine

  1. Image titled Take Good Care of Your Teeth Step 1
    1
    Brush your teeth. Keeping the surface of your teeth clean can prevent cavities and gum disease.[1]
    • Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste.
    • Brush at a 45-degree angle against the gums and in circular short back-and-forth motions.[2]
    • Brush for at least 2 minutes. Make sure to brush your molars, outer tooth surfaces, and inner tooth surfaces.[3]
  2. Image titled Take Good Care of Your Teeth Step 5
    2
    Brush your tongue. Brushing your tongue can reduce bad breath by removing bacteria and food particles.[4]
    • Use your toothbrush bristles or a tongue scraper. Some toothbrushes have a tongue scraper on the back.
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Clean Your Skin Step 3
    3
    Cleanse your face. Washing your face daily will remove accumulated dirt, bacteria, and oil.[5]
    • Buy a suitable cleanser for your skin type. You can get varying cleansers based on whether your skin is oily, dry, or sensitive.
    • Wet your skin and massage the cleanser on your face.
    • Gently wash off the cleanser with warm water.
  4. Image titled Use Toner Step 2
    4
    Use a toner. A toner can further balance and replenish your skin by adding nutrients.[6]
    • Saturate a cotton pad with the toner and pat onto face, avoiding your eye area.
    • You can also apply the toner with clean hands, if you do not have cotton pads.
  5. Image titled Clean Your Skin Step 7
    5
    Moisturize your skin. A moisturizer rehydrates and softens your skin after cleansing.
    • Pick a suitable moisturizer for your skin type. Use cream, or oil-based moisturizer for dry skin. For oily skin, use gel or water-based moisturizer.[7]
  6. Image titled Take Care of Your Skin Step 4
    6
    Wear sunscreen. UV light from the sun can cause skin cancer or add more wrinkles.[8]
    • Choose a sunscreen with a broad spectrum SPF of at least 30.
    • Apply sunscreen evenly 15 to 30 minutes before sun exposure.
    • Reapply sunscreen at every 2 hours, especially if you are participating in outdoor activities like sports.[9]
    7. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Creating a Mid-day Routine

  1. Image titled Take Good Care of Your Teeth Step 7
    1
    Eat healthily. Poor nutrition can increase susceptibility to gum diseases. Improving your diet can prevent tooth decay and gum diseases.[10]
    • Limit acidic beverages like soda and fruit juices. Food acids can erode the teeth enamel causing cavities.
    • Reduce sugar intake like ice cream, brownies, and cookies. Bacteria can ferment sugar and produce acid that will damage your teeth.
  2. Image titled Lose Weight With Water Step 1
    2
    Drink more water. Dry mouth occurs when you do not have enough saliva to keep your mouth moist, which can lead to tooth decay and infection.[11] Drinking water can further hydrate your skin, and rid your skin of toxins.[12]
    • Drink 8 glasses of water.
    • Set a reminder to drink water, or carry a water bottle with you.
  3. Image titled Take Good Care of Your Teeth Step 3
    3
    Floss after meals. Flossing allows you to clean the tight spaces between your teeth and gums, which can prevent build up bacteria that cause plagues and gingivitis.[13]
    • Use about 18 inches of dental floss. Hold floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.
    • Gently guide the floss up and down between your teeth. When the floss reaches your gum line, curve it against one tooth, making a c shape.[14]
    • Floss one tooth at a time.
    4. Advertisement
Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Creating a Nighttime Routine

  1. Image titled Take a Relaxing Shower Step 11
    1
    Take a steam shower. Warm, steamy showers can increase blood flow, improve immune function, and ease muscle aches and pains. A steamy, night shower can also help you sleep.[15]
    • Turn on the hot water in the shower.
    • Close the bathroom door and windows to capture steam and increase humidity.
    • Lower the water temperature from hot to warm. Go in and shower.
  2. Image titled Get a Shower Done in 5 Minutes or Less (Girls) Step 5
    2
    Keep it short. Showering for too long can strip the skin of oils and moisture, resulting in dry, flaky skin.[16]
    • Shower for 5 to 10 minutes.[17]
    • You could time your showers with a music playlist or an alarm.
  3. Image titled Deep Clean Your Body Step 13
    3
    Moisturize your body. After showering, you should rehydrate your skin with a moisturizer to prevent dry skin.
    • Use lotion or oil-based moisturizing cream.
    • Apply moisturizer within 3 minutes of showering to allow better absorption of the moisture.
  4. Image titled Have a Good Face Care Routine Step 10.jpeg
    4
    Repeat your skincare routine.
    • Cleanse, apply toner, and moisturize your face again.
  5. Image titled Motivate Yourself to Brush Your Teeth Everyday Step 7
    5
    Repeat your dental routine.
    • Brush your teeth and tongue.
    6. Advertisement

Daily Self Care Routine

Expert Q&A

  • Question
    How do I take care of myself at night?
    Alex Dimitriu, MD
    Alex Dimitriu, MD
    Sleep Medicine & Psychiatry Professional
    Alex Dimitriu, MD is the Owner of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine, a clinic based in the San Francisco Bay Area with expertise in psychiatry, sleep, and transformational therapy. Alex earned his Doctor of Medicine from Stony Brook University in 2005 and graduated from the Stanford University School of Medicine's Sleep Medicine Residency Program in 2010. Professionally, Alex has dual board certification in psychiatry and sleep medicine.
    Alex Dimitriu, MD
    Alex Dimitriu, MD
    Sleep Medicine & Psychiatry Professional
    Expert Answer
    Try to avoid bright lights or screens 2 hours before you go to sleep. Preferably, you want to engage in passive, relaxing activities like reading in a dimly lit room. Avoid checking your email, using your phone, or problem solving if you can. For the best sleep, keep a regular bed and wake time (even on weekends).
Advertisement

Warnings

  • Do not push the floss into your gums. Be careful not to injure and scratch your gums. If this is your first time flossing, you might bleed a little, but that is normal and it will get better.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
  • Do not shower in hot water, because hot water can damage your skin and dry it out.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Use a Bidet
How to
Use a Bidet
Clean Your Penis
How to
Clean Your Penis
Wash Your Vagina
How to
Wash Your Vagina
Take a Shower
How to
Take a Shower
Clean Your Belly Button
How to
Clean Your Belly Button
Use a Squat Toilet
How to
Use a Squat Toilet
Make Your Vagina Smell Good
How to
Make Your Vagina Smell Good
Keep Your Private Parts Clean
How to
Keep Your Private Parts Clean
Get Rid of Body Odor Naturally
How to
Get Rid of Body Odor Naturally
How to
Clean Your Face With Toothpaste
Be Clean
How to
Be Clean
Look After Your Pubic Hair
How to
Look After Your Pubic Hair
Douche for Feminine Hygiene
How to
Douche for Feminine Hygiene
Use Zote Soap11 Best Things You Can Use Zote Soap For
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/dental/art-20045536
  2. ↑ https://dentistry.uic.edu/patients/oral-hygiene
  3. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/dental/art-20045536
  4. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bad-breath/expert-answers/tongue-scraper/faq-20057795
  5. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/care/face-washing-101
  6. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/guides/tmagazine/skincare-routine
  7. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/guides/tmagazine/skincare-routine
  8. ↑ https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/tips-stay-safe-sun-sunscreen-sunglasses
  9. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/guides/tmagazine/skincare-routine
  1. ↑ http://knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=N&iid=315&aid=1274
  2. ↑ https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/topics/doctor-visits/regular-checkups/oral-health-older-adults-quick-tips
  3. ↑ https://www.uwhealth.org/madison-plastic-surgery/the-benefits-of-drinking-water-for-your-skin/26334
  4. ↑ https://dentistry.uic.edu/patients/oral-hygiene
  5. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/dental/art-20045536
  6. ↑ https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324682
  7. ↑ https://showergem.com/blogs/news/the-shower-routine-that-experts-recommend
  8. ↑ https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324682#showering-in-different-seasons

About This Article

Alex Dimitriu, MD
Co-authored by:
Alex Dimitriu, MD
Sleep Medicine & Psychiatry Professional
This article was co-authored by Alex Dimitriu, MD. Alex Dimitriu, MD is the Owner of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine, a clinic based in the San Francisco Bay Area with expertise in psychiatry, sleep, and transformational therapy. Alex earned his Doctor of Medicine from Stony Brook University in 2005 and graduated from the Stanford University School of Medicine's Sleep Medicine Residency Program in 2010. Professionally, Alex has dual board certification in psychiatry and sleep medicine. This article has been viewed 9,555 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 8
Updated: March 2, 2023
Views: 9,555
Categories: Personal Hygiene

Medical Disclaimer

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.

Advertisement