Good Hygiene Products for Teenagers

As your teen begins to go through puberty, it's likely that she will start to notice some unwelcome changes in her body, according to the pediatric pros at the KidsHealth website. When her hair starts to get oily, her skin breaks out and an after-exercise stench surrounds her body, introducing hygiene products to your teenager is a must. Consider which hygiene products are necessary and beneficial for your teen.

Shampoo

The onset of puberty often causes a teen's hair to feel greasy from excess oil. A good shampoo for your teen is one that controls oil, or at least doesn't add more to her head. KidsHealth suggests that teens with oily hair try a specialized formula and stay away from styling products that might add extra oil to her hair. If your teen doesn't have particularly greasy hair, but has another issue that she feels affects her appearance, look for a shampoo that addresses her concerns. For example, if she has dry and frizzy hair, she might need a shampoo that adds oil or provides moisture.

Soap and Body Wash

Tackling your teen's body odor, especially after a day of exercise and physical activity, is a must. Before your teen splashes on super-strong smelling perfume or cologne to mask his odor, start with a basic soap or body wash. Taking a shower or bath daily can help to prevent offensive odors that are caused by a buildup of bacteria or your teen's sweat. Choose a mild soap that won't irritate or add more oil than necessary to your child's skin. Remind your teen to use his soap or liquid body wash everywhere, including his arm pits, feet and genital areas.

Facial Products and Pimples

The increased hormone and oil productions that teens experience during puberty can quickly lead to a face filled with pimples. If your teen has an over-abundance of zits or acne that is causing issues -- either physical skin and scarring problems or emotional well-being and self-confidence effects -- consult her pediatrician or a dermatologist for help. Teens with typical or mild pimple problems can try an over-the-counter facial product. The American Academy of Pediatrics, on its HealthyChildren website, suggests that teens start with a product that contains benzoyl peroxide 2. Look for a face wash, lotion or gel that contains a low dosage amount, such as 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide, to start. If you notice that your teen's skin is getting overly dry, switch her to a different face wash or lotion that contains another type of anti-acne ingredient or call the dermatologist for alternative ideas.

Deodorant

Although cleaning his body is crucial, using soap isn't the only way for your teen to stay smelling fresh. Deodorants and antiperspirants can help keep your teen's underarm smell and wetness to a minimum. While the shelves full of colorfully packaged sticks and sprays at the drug store might all seem the same, a deodorant simply covers up the smell while an antiperspirant will stop or dry the sweat. If a regular-strength drugstore deodorant and antiperspirant product isn't cutting it, try an over-the-counter clinical strength version that has a higher concentration of ant-sweat ingredients.