Article: To stay fresh, start your day by cleansing your body. Your unique body chemistry will determine how often you need to bathe. Many people take a shower every morning, but if you play sports or live in a really humid climate, twice a day might help you stay fresher. If you live in a temperate place and your skin is on the dry side, every other day might be best. No matter what, aim to bathe often enough that you smell good and feel clean. Being clean doesn't necessarily mean using the harshest cleanser possible. Use a soap that's good for your skin type and doesn't dry it out too much. Choose a body wash or bar soap that's gentle enough for everyday use. While taking a shower most days is recommended, you may want to wash your hair less often. Washing your hair every day can dry it out and ultimately damage it, since it strips your hair's natural oils. To stay fresh on the days when you don't wash your hair, consider using a little dry shampoo. It's a powder that absorbs oil and makes your hair look and feel clean. Did you know that 2 percent of the population doesn't have the gene that causes body odor? Those lucky people don't need to use deodorant, but the rest of us use it to prevent body odor from becoming too strong during the day. Apply deodorant after you get out of the shower. If you tend to sweat a lot, you might want to use a combination deodorant and antiperspirant to keep you dry. Use it with caution, though: in recent years there have been claims that the aluminum in antiperspirant could lead to breast cancer. Experts say these claims are unfounded, but it's worth looking into if you're going to use it on your body every day. Using all-natural deodorant sticks or rocks is trendy, but many find that it wears off after a few hours. The exception might be homemade coconut oil deodorant cream, which quickly absorbs into the skin and keeps you dry and fresh. To make it, just blend 6 tablespoons (88.7ml) of coconut oil with 4 tablespoons (59.1ml) of baking powder and 4 tablespoons (59.1ml) of cornstarch. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, and apply it by rubbing a little into your armpits. If your skin tends to feel a little oily or sweaty as the day progresses, try applying body powder after your dry off from your morning shower. It absorbs extra moisture, keeping you feeling fresh. You can bring a small bottle of powder with you so you can reapply during the day. Apply it to areas that tend to feel less than fresh, like your feet, armpits and so on. You can use baby powder or make your own body powder by simply mixing together cornstarch and your favorite essential oils. Lucky for us, polyester went the way of cassette tapes several decades ago. The synthetic fabric was known for being itchy and uncomfortable because it wasn't made out of natural, breathable fibers like cotton or even wool. Although thick, heavy polyester isn't commonly found these days, there are other synthetic fabrics that have a similar effect. When you wear airtight fabrics that don't allow fresh air to circulate near your skin, you can end up sweating and feeling sticky. Check your wardrobe for synthetic fabrics that might not be allowing your skin to breathe. Make an effort to wear more cotton and other natural fibers. Another way to stay fresh is to layer your clothes so you can change things up to suit the temperature. Instead of wearing a thick sweater to work and feeling hot later, try wearing a blouse with a cardigan that you can remove or put back on. If you're worried about your feet sweating or smelling, take extra care to wash, dry and powder them every morning. Wear shoes that are appropriate for the day's weather. If you wear heavy boots in the summer, your feet are going to sweat, which leads to odor and an unfresh feeling. Whenever possible, wear a pair of socks to absorb extra moisture. Have a separate pair of shoes for working out. Don't wear the tennis shoes you use at the gym when you're hanging out with friends, because the dried sweat on your workout shoes could cause your feet to smell. The best way to keep your breath smelling good is to have proper dental hygiene. Floss once a day and brush your teeth in the morning and at night using a toothpaste approved by the American Dental Association. Be sure to see a dentist every six months for a deeper cleaning to remove the buildup of tartar, which can lead to bad breath and more severe dental problems. Using mouthwash is a good way to combat bad breath. Rinse your mouth with antiseptic mouthwash a few times a day to kill the bacteria that cause bad breath. Drink water often. Aside from brushing your teeth, there's no quicker or better trick for freshening your mouth. Having a drink of water rinses away food particles that can build up in your mouth and cause bad breath.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Jump in the shower. Wear deodorant. Use body powder to absorb moisture. Wear breathable fabrics. Take care of your feet. Keep your breath fresh, too.