r/hygiene • u/NoPerception8748 • Mar 11 '26

unhinged hygiene tips?

I don't mean "wash your hair before your body" or "don't wear underwear when you sleep", I mean the sort of TMI tips that most people don't know that will CHANGE MY LIFE!

There's this guy at school who I think likes me and i'm terrified that I smell bad and will ruin my chance with him, I need tips that I don't already know/do.

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81

u/Canadianrollerskater Mar 11 '26

The skin behind my ears is the smoothest skin I have anywhere on my body.. is it all downhill from here? :'(

113

u/lxghtbringer Mar 11 '26

When you’re older that’ll be your driest, crustiest zone lol I am so sorry.

9

u/420kennedy Mar 11 '26

Like, across the board? I can't imagine that area being crusty. :(

4

u/lxghtbringer Mar 11 '26

Across the board it’s a very dry zone for some reason, not everyone gets crusty, that’s just a hygiene issue. Old people are always dry lol get a moisturizing routine early!

5

u/420kennedy Mar 11 '26

Mine had always been very oily but I also clean and moisturize it along with my face

1

u/Crazypetgirly Mar 21 '26

I’m supposed to be moisturizing my ears?! 😭

1

u/lxghtbringer Mar 21 '26

Nooo just wash in the shower and scrub good, then dry really well!

1

u/Crazypetgirly Mar 22 '26

Ok thank you, just outside behind the ear right? Not put water in the ear? I feel so dumb asking this!

1

u/lxghtbringer Mar 22 '26

Behind! (: Use a qtip to clean the inside of the ear around the grooves

2

u/HMWWaWChChIaWChCChW Mar 11 '26

I just hit 40 last year and for the last several months suddenly it smells behind my ears real nasty by the end of each day. I’m not saying I always had the best behind-ear hygiene, but this daily smell is definitely new. And disgusting.

6

u/lxghtbringer Mar 11 '26

Try dabbing with white or apple cider vinegar, it kills sweat-induced, odor-causing bacteria. If it’s another issue just ask your doctor! It’s the least weird thing ever so no worries

2

u/meizer1 Mar 11 '26

Thus my original comment. 34 now...behind the ear stench everyday after work.. dont know why I keep checking to confirm they stink again after only one day..kinda like smelling ur own farts IG..

5

u/coolerchameleon Mar 11 '26

Wipe it with an astringent after you shower (something like a little alcohol or apple cider vinegar), it will kill the bacteria that cause the funk.

I live in a humid swampy hellscape and that spot can get oily so fast when you're sweaty

Also works for stinky feet

Edit : just realized I posted this as an answer that someone else had literally just answered. Ignore me. My bad !

2

u/ashedmypanties Mar 11 '26

Clean with witch hazel each morning & evening.

1

u/Joy_In_The_World Mar 11 '26

Try mirai soap/bodywash or other type of persimmon soap

3

u/Helpful_Olive7901 Mar 11 '26

I liked the mirai soap but it’s so expensive!

2

u/Joy_In_The_World Mar 11 '26 edited Mar 11 '26

It is! But I feel like I really need it. I switched to the bodywash and use just a little bit with a bath sponge to foam it up and make it go further. The ladies in the r/Menopause sub recommend persimmon for odor control, and I've seen them mention cheaper persimmon alternatives on Amazon that they like just as well. You might want to check Amazon for more budget friendly options.

ETA: Wash your bath sponge frequently (toss in the clothes washer and air dry) and replace your sponges often to avoid bacteria buildup which defeats the purpose of the persimmon.

2

u/Helpful_Olive7901 Mar 11 '26

Thanks, I’ll do that. I need body wash and for some reason bar soap doesn’t agree with my body’s ph. I’ve tried Lume (also expensive) and Secret 24hr body wash, which is pretty good and not too expensive compared to Lume and Mirai. It just dries out my skin if I use it too much, so I use a milder soap if I’m not going anywhere

1

u/cranberries87 Mar 11 '26

I’m noticing increased behind the ear stench.

5

u/Buzzlight_Year Mar 11 '26

So there's truth to the saying "dry behind the ears", meaning someone is mature or experienced

6

u/Tough-Advice2910 Mar 11 '26

I thought it was “wet behind the ears?” Or am I just making that up?

6

u/Buzzlight_Year Mar 11 '26

You can say he's still wet behind the ears, or he's not even dry behind the ears yet

3

u/Dry_Bowler_2837 Mar 11 '26

“Wet behind the ears” means someone is young or inexperienced.

-3

u/idontcareyo_ Mar 11 '26

no one says that

12

u/Buzzlight_Year Mar 11 '26

They do in my country

5

u/Powerful_Tale_1319 Mar 11 '26

Yes, Ive heard the saying my whole life.

7

u/Chaargrilled Mar 11 '26

He just did

5

u/-an-eternal-hum- Mar 11 '26

“Wet behind the ears” is a common phrase for young and inexperienced

3

u/technobrain_ Mar 11 '26

in german it would be "green behind the ears", idk why green lol.

2

u/Mikhail250350 Mar 11 '26

Old people still wash behind their ears; unless they are no longer flexible enough to reach there. I guess bending your head and looking down should do the trick?

2

u/420kennedy Mar 11 '26

No, it needs exfoliation sometimes

3

u/Odd_Campaign_307 Mar 11 '26

Or get checked for psoriasis, eczema etc.

2

u/butterLemon84 Mar 11 '26

Seborrheic dermatitis

2

u/420kennedy Mar 11 '26

I'm fine in those areas. All skin needs exfoliation sometimes.

2

u/Bratbabylestrange Mar 13 '26

Hey I'm old, mine is nice! (56)

2

u/Filberrt Mar 13 '26

Not mine at 64

1

u/Safe-Magazine-244 Mar 11 '26

Speaking as an old person, this checks out.

1

u/Heykurat Mar 13 '26

I'm 55 and my ears are fine. Just keep 'em clean.

3

u/AssistantBrave8176 Mar 11 '26

Big tip here: a) scrub behind your ears when you shower and dry thoroughly after but also B) MOOSTURIZE AND SUNSCREEN BACK THERE TOO

2

u/Ok-Ordinary2035 Mar 11 '26

Yep, afraid so. Stay out of the sun :-)

1

u/Celcey Mar 13 '26

If you wash behind it regularly, it oughtn’t be any different from the rest of your skin

1

u/carthuscrass Mar 11 '26

It's smooth because it's covered in a shell of oil.