After shared bath times became impossible because my two girls were too big for the same tub, I had a real battle getting them anywhere near water. Then, almost overnight, the tween and teen years hit — and now I can’t get them away from it! Tweens and teens become far more body conscious, and hygiene and hair suddenly move way up their list of priorities as they grow older. My secret for good hygiene for teens? Plenty of hot water — and a bit of patience.
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Showering & Body Odour
As your teen develops and any sports they take part in get more intense, they may need to shower more often and start using deodorant. Whatever you do, don’t make a big deal about it — just add some to the weekly shop and leave it in their bedroom.
Getting them into the shower is no longer the problem — the challenge now is getting them out of it! Our hot water gets used constantly, and showers last at least ten minutes if I don’t nag them to keep it shorter. I’ve found it helps to encourage evening showers, since school mornings are chaotic enough as it is.
Recommended reading: 8 Ways to Have a Better Relationship With Your Teen
Hair Products As Far As The Eye Can See
Shampoo and conditioner are just the start of it. Now there are hair masks, styling products, and products to combat the styling products — all promising shiny, soft, healthy-looking hair.
Some teens prefer not to wash their hair daily, while others with oilier hair want to wash it every day — both are completely normal, so let your teen find their own rhythm.
If you have a boy, chances are he’s discovered hair gel, and no amount of “a little goes a long way” advice will stop him using half the tube. Tubes of gel now sneak into the shopping trolley on a weekly basis. And once your tween becomes a teen, many will want to experiment with hair colouring too.
Keeping Mouths Fresh
No teen wants bad breath, so encourage your teen to brush and floss every day — especially if they’re drinking coffee or sports drinks. I also keep sugar-free chewing gum and mints handy in the car and around the house, to encourage fresh breath between brushes.
Recommended reading: 5 Signs Your Child May Need Braces
Stinky Feet
Sweaty feet, stinky socks and smelly shoes are a common teen problem. Encourage your teen to change socks regularly, and keep the sock drawer well stocked. If you can manage a second pair of shoes so they can alternate day to day, that helps too. Avoid synthetic materials where possible, as these tend to make the smell worse.
If stinky feet are particularly persistent, there could be an underlying issue worth having checked by a GP or pharmacist.
Skin Care Routine
Most tweens and teens will deal with some spots, and a few with more severe acne — it’s a normal part of the changes their bodies go through during this stage.
Encouraging a simple skin-care routine helps keep skin looking and feeling healthier. That usually means washing the face morning and night with a gentle cleanser suited to their skin type and age.
If your tween or teen is dealing with more severe acne, it’s worth having them seen by a GP or dermatologist, who can advise on the right approach for their skin.
Recommended reading: Teen Skin Care Tips That Are Good To Start Early
Make Good Hygiene Their Responsibility
If your teen is resistant to basic hygiene habits like showering or using deodorant, try not to just plead or nag. Instead, explain that looking after himself is a responsibility, just like other household jobs. Just as he’s expected to keep his room tidy, walk the dog, or empty the dishwasher, personal hygiene is now part of that same list — and if it slips, there should be clear, agreed consequences, like a lost privilege.
Recommended reading: Effective Consequences for Teens That Really Work
Mornings No Longer a Quick Dash
You’ll find far more time is now spent in front of the bathroom mirror on school mornings than in the entire decade before. Every inch of skin gets examined for blemishes, every bump gets smoothed out of hair, or set hard with styling product.
For girls especially, you may find at least three types of brushes have appeared, along with straighteners, curling wands, and other styling tools — plus plenty of time spent perfecting the look in the mirror (or checking it via a phone camera). Between getting ready for school and perfecting the selfie, a lot of time gets spent in that bathroom.
Our best tip: set the alarm early enough to allow for all this extra preening time, so mornings stay calm rather than chaotic.
Over to you now — what’s been your experience of hygiene for teens in your house? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age should hygiene routines start changing for tweens and teens?
There’s no single age — it varies by child and by when puberty starts. Once you notice increased sweating, body odour, or oilier hair and skin, it’s a good time to introduce deodorant, more frequent showers, and a simple skin-care routine.
How do I get my teen to shower without turning it into a fight?
Keep it low-key and practical rather than a lecture. Stock the bathroom with what they need, set an evening shower routine to ease morning stress, and frame hygiene as a normal responsibility rather than a criticism.
Is it normal for teens to want to shower or style their hair every day?
Yes — increased focus on appearance and cleanliness is a completely normal part of the tween and teen years, though how often they need to wash hair depends on hair type and oiliness.
When should I be concerned about acne or persistent foot odour?
If acne is severe or foot odour persists despite regular washing and clean socks, it’s worth checking in with a GP, pharmacist, or dermatologist rather than relying on home remedies alone.
Related Articles
- 8 Ways to Have a Better Relationship With Your Teen
- 5 Signs Your Child May Need Braces
- Teen Skin Care Tips That Are Good To Start Early
- Effective Consequences for Teens That Really Work
Before You Go
Enjoyed this? Have a browse through our other parenting articles for more real-life tips from parents who’ve been there — and feel free to save this one for whenever the teen hygiene battles kick off in your house.
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