Hygiene Tips for a Better Sex Life
Hygiene feels like a pretty basic topic, but because of that, it’s not often talked about. We’re not usually talking about our skin care routine in the locker room (although, maybe we should…), so how do we know if there are ways we could up our hygiene game? We’ve done the leg work for you and rounded up our top tips that not only takes your hygiene to the next level, but will elevate your sex life too.
Hygiene and sex are more interconnected than it might seem. It’s obvious that sex happens with our bodies and hygiene is the act of taking care of our body. But it’s more than just not being dirty. Hygiene can directly impact your own confidence, the enjoyment that you and your partner have, and even safety during sex. From head to toe, we’re walking you through our body care routine.
Tip 1: Wash Everywhere
Yup. We’re starting really basic. There have been a few male hygiene trends that have circulated around social media recently. One of which is partners discovering their (male) partners aren’t washing their bodies in the shower. If that’s you, we’re not here to judge. But we are here to set the record straight — washing your hair and letting the shampoo rinse down your body does not count as washing your body. Neither does washing the top half of your body and letting the soap run down your legs. The soap and how you apply it is up to you (although we might recommend upping your game from a 3-in-1, if that’s your current product choice). But you should be using soap to actively wash your whole body every time you shower. And get it into all of the cracks and crevices because even if it’s not exposed on the day-to-day, it definitely will be during sex.
If you’ve got body wash down to a science, consider throwing exfoliation into the mix. Exfoliating is just using a physical or a chemical product to remove the top layer of dead skin. Exfoliating plus moisturizing is the key to soft skin, and your partner will thank you for it. All skin types are different, so it may take time to figure out what your skin responds best to. Some examples of physical exfoliants are body scrubs, dry brushes, African net sponges, and exfoliation mitts. Physical exfoliants on the other hand are products that contain things like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, BHAs, or AHAs. You don’t need to break the bank on new products. CeraVe, Naturium, and Versed all have low-cost chemical exfoliants. No matter what you use and even if you aren’t exfoliating, always remember to layer on the lotion when you hop out of the shower.
When you’re on the go, sometimes you just don’t have time to squeeze in a shower. We’ve even got a tip for that scenario to keep you clean no matter what. Champ cleansing wipes aren’t just made for postgame cleanup. You can use them on the go throughout your day for a quick refresh. Keep a few in your gym bag, office desk, car, and bathroom. They’re perfect to use when a date went better than expected and you have to “run to the bathroom super quick” before taking things to the bedroom.
Pro Tip: If you use a loofah in the shower, you need to replace it every 3-6 weeks to prevent bacteria from growing. Using an African net sponge can be a great long-term alternative as they can last up to 2 years with proper care.
Tip 2: Scent Layering
Scent is one of our most powerful senses and it’s thought to be the sense that is most closely connected to memory. So, smelling good or bad will definitely leave an impact, especially when things are getting up close and personal. A lot of people wear cologne or have scented shower products, which are great places to start. The scent layering technique has gotten more popular over the last couple of years. It involves using the exact same scent in as many products as possible. This doesn’t mean spraying 10 pumps of cologne to overwhelm your partner, but rather using the same scent in your shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, and cologne. This helps the scent last longer and be more widespread than just relying on cologne. It also prevents competing scents that could be happening from using one product with coconut, another with sandalwood, and another with lemon.
The easiest way to do this is to find a product that you like the scent of and see if there is a whole line. Stores like Target will often have body care brands that carry multiple products with the same scent for this exact reason. If you can’t find the exact one for everything, try to go in person to find a similar one from another brand to match, or choose an unscented option so that there aren’t conflicting smells.
Alternatively, some people like to work their way backward. If you have a higher end cologne that you’re really attached to, look into what goes into that cologne. If the main components are fir and musk, look for body care products with those scents as well.
This should be a fun process, so don’t let it stress you out. It can be easier to do in the store, so take some time on your next grocery run to smell the different options in the personal care aisle.
Tip 3: Manscaping
When it comes to hair, it’s really all personal preference. There is no right or wrong way to have (or not have) hair on any part of your body. We’ll give some of our favorite tips for manscaping, but there is no requirement that people need to do any form of hair removal. Whatever makes you feel most comfortable and confident is what you should go with.
If you are going the hair removal route, there’s a few areas you can work your way through. We’ll work our way down from the top. If you have facial hair, it’s important to keep it as clean as possible especially if you might be going down on a partner later that day. Use a beard wash or make sure you’re lathering up throughout your facial hair when you’re washing your face. Facial hair can be uncomfortable for some people when kissing or receiving oral sex. That doesn’t mean that you need to remove your facial hair by any means. But if you're in the prickly stage, it can be helpful to shave before your date. If shaving isn’t on the table, incorporate a beard conditioner and oil into your routine to keep the hair soft.
Chest and back hair varies from person to person. If you have any that you want removed, you can shave or trim any excess as it grows out. If you don’t like the upkeep of shaving, but don’t like having it, look into waxing or sugaring. You can do this at home (make sure to go through lots of tutorials) or get it professionally done. Waxing and sugaring removes hair from the root, so the process isn’t going to feel “enjoyable,” but it does get easier the more consistently you do it.
Remember that pubic hair typically has a wiry texture and is a bit more coarse than other body hair. It’s there to ultimately protect yourself from friction and irritation around your genitals, so it’s not there for no reason. However, some people like to shave or trim pubic hair before sex to give a neater look. If that’s you, take your time. Slow and steady wins the race here, and ideally leaves you without any race injuries. Pull the skin taut wherever you’re shaving so that the razor can smoothly move across the skin. It’s up to you on how much trimming you want to do. You can do a check trim of the main areas or do a full shave from front to back (your butt has hair too).
No matter where you’re shaving, go with the grain first to avoid irritation. Keep the areas clean and exfoliate before shaving and use any antibacterial or calming products afterwards to prevent razor burn.
Pro Tip: Hair removal expectations also apply to partners. If you have a partner who does or doesn’t shave in any specific areas, that’s great as long as it’s what they want. Hair is a natural thing and some people find it empowering and hot to forgo hair removal and others may have medical conditions like PCOS that cause excessive hair growth. Make your partner feel comfortable and celebrated with whatever decision they make.
Tip 4: Reducing Unwanted Odor
We’ve probably all experienced being with someone and realizing we may have bad breath or smelly pits. Even if the other person doesn’t notice, it can kill your mood by causing insecurity. No one wants to be worrying about bad odors you might be omitting when you’re up close and personal with someone else.
The 5 main areas that can gather some smells are breath, armpits, groin, feet, and between the cheeks. When it comes to daily oral hygiene, we like to do the recommended brush twice a day and floss once a day. If you’re still noticing some bad breath, try incorporating a mouthwash or tongue scraping to remove lingering bacteria. Sometimes bad breath can’t be avoided as we go throughout the day eating and drinking. Keep a pack of gum or mints on you to help in a pinch. We especially like mints because they tend to pack a punch and you don’t have to worry about where to spit it when you’re approaching that good night kiss.
A lot of pit smells can be reduced by Tip #1 of washing your whole body followed by a good deodorant. If you’re noticing your armpits are getting their smell back throughout the day, try a clinical grade deodorant or washing your armpits with benzoyl peroxide in the shower once a week. If you’re experiencing excessive sweating or odor that’s bothering you, it’s always a good idea to check in with your primary care doctor.
Groins and feet can get smelly through the sweat they create throughout the day. The sweat can sometimes be unavoidable, but using a foot or groin powder can help absorb that moisture and neutralize odors. But when it comes to between the cheeks, this is another call back to Tip #1. When you’re in the shower, make sure you’re cleaning everywhere. And yes, between the cheeks is included in “everywhere”. Sometimes a post-bathroom wipe doesn’t get everything, and that’s why showers (or on-the go cleaning wipes) are crucial. Using the bathroom is natural, but prevent the bathroom from joining you in the bedroom by washing with soap and water between the cheeks in the shower.
Tip 5: Nail Care
This wasn’t an accident and men should take care of their nails too. There’s the obvious aesthetics side of having neat nails, but it’s also a hygiene issue too. Bacteria and dirt get under our nails every day, no matter the length. Having cuts or hangnails can also increase the risk of general infections and STIs for both you and your partners. Hangnails can also be very uncomfortable for your partner if your fingers are inside them and cause micro cuts along the way. On the other hand, having cuts on your fingers can make it easier for infections to get into your skin or blood stream.
If you’re game, head to a local nail salon and get a buff and trim your nails with your significant other. Many places offer a buff and trim without applying polish and it’s not weird at all to get this service. They take care of cleaning up your nails and likely give you a nice hand massage as well. If you’re doing nail care at home, there are a few essentials. Keep your nails trimmed with nail clippers, wash under your nails when you wash your hands, trim excess skin or hang nails with clippers or cuticle trimmers, and use a cuticle oil if your nails are in need of some extra repair. All of these steps will not only make sex more enjoyable for everyone involved, but keep things safer too.
Tip 6: Upgrade Your Equipment
You didn’t think we could wrap up without talking about condoms and lubes, did you? Just as taking care of your body is important in hygiene, so are the products you use. Condoms and lube are going on, near, around, and in some of the most sensitive parts of our bodies, so it’s important to use products with high quality ingredients that will last you through a marathon, not just a sprint.
Our condoms come in a variety of styles including ultra-thin, ribbed, and extra-large so that you’re fitted no matter what. They’re all made with natural latex and medical grade lubricant that’s all 100% paraben and fragrance free. Both you and your partner can focus on what you want versus worrying about the feel of the condom.
On the other hand, our lube is a sex essential no matter what, and all lubes are not created equal. Just like condoms, lube is going to be inside the body, so the ingredients matter. Both our silicone-based and water-based lubricants are free of glycerin, parabens, and fragrances. They are formulated for sensitive skin, to be non-irritating, and uphold top level performance no matter what position you’re playing.
If you made it through this checklist and already do all of these things, then you might be more of a Champ than us. But if you’re looking to level up with these tips, it can be a little overwhelming to incorporate a ton of new things into your routine, especially with any level of consistency. So pick one or two things that you think will make the biggest difference in your current hygiene regimen. Once you’ve got those down, pick another couple to nail down. Your body, partner, and sex life will thank you.