5 Personal Care Products You Shouldn't Leave the House Without

Personal care is not just about feminine hygiene. It encompasses everything you do to keep yourself clean and presentable. Whether returning to work, stopping by the mall, or embarking on an adventure, you should never leave the house without these essential personal care products.

Did you know that you could use hand sanitizer as an emergency deodorant? Besides protecting you from germs that can cause diseases and infection, hand sanitizers have other uses. Meanwhile, ethyl alcohol can clean surfaces, minor cuts, and wounds. It can also quickly refresh clothes and other fabrics. You should always have either of these whether shopping or hiking up a hill.

A dental kit is one of the most important personal care products. The fact is, you never know when you need to brush your teeth. You never think you'll require a minty refresh until you get home. But it's game over when you bite into a clingy and garlicky quesadilla. All you need is a toothbrush and a product like closeup Red Hot Toothpaste to keep your mouth clean and your breath fresh. However, if you want to be thorough, you could throw in some dental floss and mouthwash.

Having a cleanser or antibacterial handwash could be a huge lifesaver if you’re leaving the city for an outdoor adventure. Sure, hand sanitizer can quickly remove germs, but you need a cleanse for when you have to wash your face or other parts of your body. Bring a non-soap cleanser such as Dove Care & Protect Bar, which is milder on the skin and won’t strip it of excess oil. Since dry skin is more susceptible to inflammation and infection, avoid anything too drying especially if you’re exposed to the elements outdoors.

Sunscreen is the foundation of any skincare routine. Anything you apply on your face would be negated or won’t be as effective if you frequently leave your skin exposed to UV rays. Even indoors or on overcast days, sunscreen is essential in blocking both UVA and UVB rays, which can cause premature skin aging and sunburn. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen or one that indicates PA+ protection on its label. The more plus signs, the better!

You’re always just one wet wipe away from looking and feeling fresh. You can also use wipes to clean germ-infested surfaces, such as public tables and chairs, doorknobs and handles, car doors, and grocery carts, among other things. If you’re traveling with kids, they’re super handy for instantly wiping sticky food off your baby’s hands and mouth. Dove Baby Care Wipes Rich Moisture is moisturizing, non-irritating, hypoallergenic, and alcohol-free, so you can use it as often as needed without drying out sensitive skin.

Dry lips are not just unsightly, they can also be painful! At their worst, they can keep you from eating, sleeping, or eating well. A nourishing lip balm with petroleum jelly or beeswax can help protect your lips from dry air and cold temperatures. A lip balm with SPF can also protect your lips from sun damage.

Always bring these personal care products with you when you leave the house to stay clean and protected on the go.