gunnarltn
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THE ULTIMATE HYGIENE & GROOMING GUIDE (HYGIENEMAXING)
This is the complete hygiene playbook: showering, hair, skin, body odor, fragrance, oral hygiene, diet, hydration, exercise, grooming, and what to do when you have acne, dry skin, clogged pores, oily skin, or other concerns.The goal isn't to have 50 products.
The goal is:
Clean body + healthy skin barrier + healthy hair + good oral hygiene + good grooming + good habits + a signature scent.
Think of this as a system rather than a collection of products.
PART 1 — THE SHOWER SYSTEM
Your shower can be divided into two different routines:
Morning/daytime shower
Focus on cleanliness, sweat, and skin care.
Night shower
Focus on deep cleaning, grooming, fragrance, and preparing your skin for overnight recovery.You don't necessarily need two showers every day. If one shower is enough for you, that's completely fine.
HAIR-WASH DAY — ONCE A WEEK
If your hair and scalp do well with once-weekly shampooing, make one day your dedicated hair-wash day.Step 1 — Completely wet your hair
Use lukewarm water and make sure the scalp and hair are thoroughly saturated.This helps distribute shampoo and makes it easier to cleanse the scalp without using excessive amounts of product.
Step 2 — Based Body Works Shampoo
Apply your Based Body Works shampoo primarily to the scalp.The scalp is where the majority of:
- Sebum
- Sweat
- Dead skin cells
- Product buildup
- Environmental debris
Don't attack your hair with shampoo.
Shampoo is primarily there to clean the scalp, not aggressively strip the lengths of your hair.The cleansing ingredients in shampoo surround oils and oily debris so they can be lifted away with water.
Step 3 — ALWAYS USE YOUR SCALP SCRUBBER
Use a scalp scrubber every time you shampoo.You can also use it during non-shampoo showers as a gentle scalp massage.
Move it around the scalp rather than digging it into your skin.
Think:
Massage — don't scratch.A scalp scrubber can help physically loosen flakes and buildup and distribute shampoo.
However:
If your scalp becomes oily before your weekly shampoo, you may need to wash your hair more often.
Your ideal shampoo frequency depends on:
- Hair type
- Scalp oil production
- Exercise
- Sweat
- Hair products
- Dandruff/seborrheic dermatitis
- Climate
- Individual preference
Step 4 — Based Body Works Conditioner
After rinsing your shampoo:- Apply Based Body Works conditioner.
- Concentrate it on the mid-lengths and ends.
- Let it sit for several minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly.
Shampoo cleans.
Conditioner deposits conditioning ingredients that can make the hair shaft feel smoother, reduce friction, improve manageability, and reduce the rough feeling that can occur after cleansing.
Important:
You generally don't need to heavily condition your scalp unless the product specifically recommends it.
NON-SHAMPOO DAYS
On days you're not shampooing:- Wet your hair if desired.
- Use the scalp scrubber gently.
- Massage the scalp.
- Rinse.
- Don't aggressively scratch.
If your scalp is visibly greasy or uncomfortable, cleanse it rather than trying to scrub the oil away with a tool.
AFTER THE SHOWER — HAIR HEALTH
When your hair is wet:Based Hair Elixir
Use your Based hair elixir according to its directions.The goal here is hair care rather than making your hair look greasy.
Apply a modest amount rather than soaking your hair in product.
Then:
Figure out your hair type.
Look at:- Straight
- Wavy
- Curly
- Coily
- Fine vs. thick strands
- Low vs. high density
- Dry vs. oily scalp
- Frizz
- Porosity
- How easily your hair holds a style
Based products can be your starting point if they work well for your hair.
AIR-DRY OR DIFFUSE
Air-drying
Best when you want minimal heat exposure.Diffusing
Useful for:- Waves
- Curls
- Coils
- Creating volume
Use a heat protectant.
Excessive heat can damage the hair's cuticle and weaken the hair fiber over time.
Don't blast your hair with maximum heat for 30 minutes every day just to make it dry faster.
PART 2 — CLEANING YOUR BODY
Your cleaning tool can be:- Loofah
- African net sponge
- Washcloth
- Your hands
Whatever you use:
KEEP IT CLEAN.
Rinse it thoroughly after use and allow it to dry completely.Don't keep a permanently wet sponge sitting in a humid shower.
BODY WASH
Use a good body wash over the areas that actually need cleansing.Pay particular attention to:
- Armpits
- Groin
- Buttocks
- Feet
- Skin folds
- Chest/back if sweaty
- Anywhere dirt or sweat accumulates
The objective is removing sweat, excess oil, dirt, and odor-producing buildup without unnecessarily irritating your skin.
THE NIGHT SOAP
Here's where you can introduce your signature-scent routine.Use a bar soap at night if your skin tolerates it.
Examples could include:
- Dr. Squatch-style scented bar soaps
- Dove bars
- Dove antibacterial products where appropriate
For everyday hygiene, regular soap is generally sufficient.
If a soap leaves your skin:
- Tight
- Burning
- Itchy
- Extremely dry
PART 3 — PICK YOUR SIGNATURE SCENT
This is one of the most underrated grooming upgrades.Instead of having:
Coconut + citrus + leather + mint + vanilla + sandalwood + random cologne
choose a scent profile.
Example: Warm/vanilla
- Vanilla body wash
- Matching weekly body scrub
- Vanilla or complementary lotion
- Deodorant
- Cologne/fragrance
Example: Fresh/clean
- Clean-smelling soap
- Fresh body wash
- Light lotion
- Fresh fragrance
Example: Woody
- Woody soap
- Complementary body wash
- Unscented or matching lotion
- Woody cologne
You want your products to complement each other instead of fighting each other.
ONCE-A-WEEK BODY SCRUB
Pick your signature scent and use a matching body scrub approximately once a week, assuming your skin tolerates it.Use it gently on:
- Arms
- Legs
- Elbows
- Knees
- Feet
- Your face
- Cuts
- Sunburn
- Irritated skin
- Active eczema
- Areas that are already inflamed
Why?
Physical exfoliation removes some surface dead skin cells.But more is NOT better.
Aggressive daily scrubbing can damage the skin barrier and create irritation.
PART 4 — LOTION IS NOT OPTIONAL IF YOUR SKIN IS DRY
After showering:- Pat yourself dry.
- Leave a little moisture on the skin.
- Apply lotion.
- Eos body lotion
- Palmer's body lotion
If your skin is extremely sensitive, fragrance-free moisturizer may be the better choice.
YOUR "BASED" POST-SHOWER ROUTINE
After your shower:Dry → Based moisturizer → deodorant → fragrance
If you're prone to:
- Dryness
- Clogged pores
- Irritation
- Acne
- Rough skin
WHAT ABOUT BEEF TALLOW?
Products containing beef tallow, such as a Santa Cruz-style tallow moisturizer, can be appealing because they are rich and occlusive.But don't assume:
"Natural = better for every skin type."
Tallow may be useful for someone with very dry skin, but rich occlusive products can feel heavy and may aggravate some acne-prone or clog-prone people.
If you're oily/acne-prone:
Start with a lighter, non-comedogenic moisturizer.If you're extremely dry:
A richer moisturizer may be more appropriate.Your skin gets the final vote.
PART 5 — FIGURE OUT YOUR SKIN TYPE
Before buying a bunch of skincare, figure out what you're working with.
DRY
Signs:- Tightness
- Flaking
- Roughness
- Itching
- Skin feels tight after cleansing
Gentle cleanser + rich moisturizer + sunscreen
OILY
Signs:- Shine
- Greasy feeling
- Frequent clogged pores
- Oil returning quickly after cleansing
Gentle cleanser + lightweight moisturizer + sunscreen
Don't try to chemically strip every bit of oil from your face.
COMBINATION
Typically:Oily T-zone + drier cheeks
Use products that don't over-dry the face and adjust moisturizer as necessary.
SENSITIVE
Signs:- Burning
- Stinging
- Redness
- Easy irritation
Simple + fragrance-free + gentle
Introduce new products one at a time.
ACNE-PRONE / CLOGGED PORES
The foundation is:Cleanse → treat → moisturize → sunscreen
Potential evidence-based ingredients include:
- Salicylic acid
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Adapalene
Acne is not simply "dirty skin."
It involves oil production, follicular plugging, inflammation, and other biological factors.
PART 6 — MORNING FACE ROUTINE
Your morning routine can be incredibly simple.Step 1
Gentle cleanser if needed.Step 2
Moisturizer.Step 3
La Roche-Posay sunscreen, SPF 30+ or higher.Use enough sunscreen to adequately cover exposed skin and reapply when appropriate, especially during prolonged outdoor activity, sweating, or swimming.
Sunscreen protects against UV radiation that contributes to:
- Premature skin aging
- Sunburn
- Hyperpigmentation
- Skin cancer
FACE MASKS
Face masks are optional.Think of them as:
Extra credit, not the foundation.
You might use a mask occasionally if you enjoy it or if it's designed for a particular concern.
But don't let a face mask replace:
- Cleansing
- Moisturizing
- Sunscreen
- Appropriate acne treatment
PART 7 — WATER & HYDRATION
Yes:Drink water.
Hydration is important for normal body function.
But don't turn it into a competition.
You don't need to force gallons of water down your throat.
A better rule:
Drink regularly throughout the day and increase fluids when you're sweating heavily, exercising, or in hot weather.
Your body regulates water balance very carefully.
More water isn't automatically better skin.
PART 8 — ORAL HYGIENE
This is one of the most important parts of the entire guide.Morning
Brush for approximately 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste.Night
Brush again + clean between your teeth.Floss or use another appropriate interdental cleaner.
OIL PULLING
Oil pulling can be used as an optional addition if you enjoy it.However:
It does NOT replace brushing or cleaning between your teeth.
The evidence for oil pulling providing major oral-health benefits is much weaker than the evidence supporting brushing with fluoride toothpaste and interdental cleaning.
If you're using TheraBreath mouthwash, use it as directed.
Think:
Brush → interdental cleaning → mouthwash if desired
rather than:
Mouthwash instead of brushing.
PART 9 — DEODORANT
Choose whatever works for your body.Examples:
- Based deodorant
- Dove deodorant/antiperspirant
Deodorant
Helps control or mask odor.Antiperspirant
Reduces sweating using antiperspirant ingredients.If you sweat heavily, antiperspirant may be more useful than deodorant alone.
Apply according to the product's instructions.
PART 10 — COLOGNE
Now finish the signature scent.Don't pour half the bottle on yourself.
Try a few sprays on appropriate pulse points, such as:
- Neck
- Wrists
- Upper chest
The formula:
Clean body + clean clothes + deodorant + moisturizer + subtle fragranceThat's what makes someone smell good.
Not 20 sprays of cologne.
PART 11 — CLOTHING HYGIENE
A clean body wearing dirty clothes defeats the purpose.Pay particular attention to:
- Underwear
- Socks
- Workout clothes
- Shirts
- Towels
- Bedding
Don't leave wet towels balled up on the floor.
Let towels dry properly between uses.
PART 12 — EXERCISE
Exercise isn't just about appearance.Regular physical activity supports:
- Cardiovascular health
- Muscular strength
- Bone health
- Mood
- Sleep
- General fitness
Strength
2–4 days/weekCardio
Walking, running, cycling, swimming, sports, etc.Daily movement
Walk more.Take stairs.
Don't sit for 14 hours straight.
The perfect workout is the workout you can consistently do.
PART 13 — DIET FOR BETTER HEALTH
Don't chase a magical "glow-up diet."Build your diet around:
- Protein
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Whole grains
- Beans
- Nuts/seeds
- Healthy fats
- Adequate carbohydrates
- Adequate fluids
- Skin
- Hair
- Nails
- Muscle
- Hormones
- Immune function
PART 14 — THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE ROUTINE
Here's why the system works. Cleansing
Cleansers use surfactants to help remove sweat, excess oil, dirt, microorganisms, and product residue.Too little cleansing can leave buildup.
Too much aggressive cleansing can damage the skin barrier.
The goal is balance.
Moisturizing
Moisturizers work through combinations of:- Humectants — attract water
- Emollients — smooth the skin
- Occlusives — reduce water loss
Sunscreen
UV radiation damages cellular structures and contributes to photoaging and skin cancer.Sunscreen reduces the amount of UV reaching your skin.
That's why sunscreen isn't merely a cosmetic product.
It's preventative skincare.
Exfoliation
Exfoliation removes some dead surface cells.But your skin already has its own natural shedding process.
Therefore:
More exfoliation ≠ better skin.
Too much can cause irritation and compromise the skin barrier.
Acne
Acne isn't caused simply by being dirty.It involves:
Oil production → follicular plugging → inflammation → acne lesions
That's why scrubbing harder isn't the solution.
Hair
Hair is essentially a keratin fiber.The goal of conditioner is largely to improve the surface properties of the hair, reducing friction and improving manageability.
Heat, chemical processing, friction, and mechanical stress can contribute to damage.
That's why:
Conditioner + gentle handling + appropriate heat protection
makes sense.
PART 15 — ABOUT TRETINOIN, B-CLEAR & ACCUTANE
This is where you should stop treating skincare like ordinary grooming.Prescription acne medications aren't just stronger versions of moisturizer.
Tretinoin
Tretinoin is a prescription retinoid that can help acne and certain forms of photoaging.It can initially cause:
- Dryness
- Irritation
- Peeling
- Increased sensitivity
"B-Clear"
If you're referring to a specific acne product/supplement sold by Ascend Labs, check its exact ingredients and directions rather than assuming it's equivalent to tretinoin or another prescription medication.Supplements and cosmetic products aren't interchangeable with prescription acne therapy.
ACCUTANE / ISOTRETINOIN
Isotretinoin (commonly known by the brand name Accutane) should generally be considered for severe, scarring, persistent, or treatment-resistant acne under the supervision of a qualified clinician.It's not a casual "last skincare product."
It can have significant adverse effects and requires medical monitoring and strict safety precautions.
So the hierarchy should be:
Basic skincare → appropriate OTC acne treatment → dermatologist → prescription treatment when appropriate
rather than:
Buy stronger and stronger products until something works.
PART 16 — DON'T MAKE YOUR SKIN WORSE TRYING TO MAKE IT BETTER
Avoid the internet's favorite mistakes:
Scrubbing your face until it hurts Using a scalp brush aggressively Washing your face ten times per day Using body scrub every day Picking acne Starting five active ingredients simultaneously Using extremely hot showers Assuming natural products can't irritate you Assuming expensive products are automatically better Using prescription medication without medical guidance Drinking absurd amounts of water Thinking antibacterial soap is necessary for every shower
THE ULTIMATE ROUTINE
MORNING
1. Wake up↓
2. Drink some water
↓
3. Brush teeth with fluoride toothpaste
↓
4. Wash face
↓
5. Moisturizer
↓
6. La Roche-Posay SPF 30+ sunscreen
↓
7. Deodorant/antiperspirant
↓
8. Hair styling
↓
9. Light cologne
↓
10. Clean clothes
SHOWER
1. Wet body↓
2. Clean body with body wash
↓
3. Use loofah/African net sponge gently
↓
4. Clean armpits
↓
5. Clean groin
↓
6. Clean buttocks
↓
7. Clean feet
↓
8. Scalp scrubber
↓
Once a week:
Based Body Works shampoo↓
Scalp scrubber
↓
Rinse
↓
Based Body Works conditioner
↓
Let it sit
↓
Rinse
↓
Based hair elixir on wet hair
↓
Air-dry or diffuse with heat protection
NIGHT ROUTINE
1. Shower↓
2. Body wash
↓
3. Nighttime bar soap with your signature scent if your skin tolerates it
↓
4. Gentle body exfoliation only on your weekly scrub day
↓
5. Rinse
↓
6. Pat skin dry
↓
7. Eos/Palmer's lotion or appropriate moisturizer
↓
8. Based moisturizer if appropriate for your skin
↓
9. Deodorant if desired
↓
10. Cologne/fragrance
↓
11. Brush teeth
↓
12. Clean between teeth
↓
13. TheraBreath mouthwash if desired
↓
14. Skincare treatment if prescribed/appropriate
↓
15. Sleep
WEEKLY RESET
Once a week:- Wash hair if that's your schedule.
- Use your body scrub.
- Clean your scalp scrubber.
- Clean your loofah/African net sponge.
- Wash towels.
- Change/wash bedding as appropriate.
- Clean your hairbrush.
- Clean your razor/trimmer.
- Clean your phone.
- Organize your grooming products.
- Check your skin and scalp for irritation.
THE 80/20 VERSION
If you don't want to remember everything, remember this:BODY
Shower → cleanse → rinse → moisturizeHAIR
Find your hair type → shampoo as often as your scalp requires → condition → protect from excessive heatFACE
Cleanse → moisturize → SPFACNE
Don't pick → don't scrub → use appropriate treatment → see a dermatologist when necessaryTEETH
Brush twice daily → clean between teeth dailySCENT
Clean → deodorant → lotion → signature fragranceFITNESS
Move regularly → strength train → get cardio → recoverDIET
Mostly nutritious foods → adequate protein → fruits/vegetables → whole foods → hydrateSLEEP
Get enough quality sleep. THE FINAL RULE
You don't need to smell like an entire perfume store.You don't need 30 skincare products.
You don't need to scrub your skin until it's red.
You don't need to shampoo on a fixed schedule if your scalp tells you otherwise.
You don't need to drink absurd amounts of water.
You don't need prescription acne medication unless your acne actually warrants it.
The ultimate hygiene routine is:
Clean body + healthy scalp + healthy skin barrier + clean teeth + healthy hair + clean clothes + good nutrition + exercise + sleep + consistent grooming + a subtle signature scent.
That's the foundation.
Consistency beats complexity.
