Showerless Survival Guide: How To Stay Clean Without Running Water
The bare minimum
Need a big cleanse but can’t get yourself to a shower? Fret not—we’ve put together the ultimate showerless hygiene routine to keep you clean on the go.
Okay, if you’re here, we can only assume that you’ve found yourself in a pickle and you’re looking for some genuine advice. If, however, you’ve clicked on this thinking “Ew, just take a shower!”, hear us out: We know from the title alone that this sounds gross, but you’d be surprised. Sometimes, showers just aren’t available when you need them.
READ: How To Keep Your Beauty Routine As Hygienic as Possible
Maybe you’re camping for festival season or perhaps your water supply has been cut once again. Either way, if you find yourself stinky and without access to a shower, there are a few things you can do to get clean. We’ve put together the ultimate showerless hygiene routine essentials, complete with wet wipes, dry shampoo, and the works—find out more below.
READ: Anal Care: The Hygiene Mistakes You Need To Stop Making With Your Butt
Essential #1: Wet wipes
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This one should be a no-brainer. If you’re out and about without access to a shower, the easiest way to get yourself clean is with a gentleman’s shower—using wet wipes to cleanse your body. Don’t just settle for any wipes, though. Instead, look for plant-based, biodegradable wipes with no scent or a mild scent. This will make sure that you’re not irritating your skin, especially in the nether regions. Makeup wipes and baby wipes are both great options for this!
TRY: This Works In Transit No Traces Cleansing Pads, RM96
TIP: If you’re camping in the wilderness, it’s best to look for unscented wipes to prevent drawing attention from bugs or wildlife.
If you want to take a more eco-friendly route, you can also use micellar water on a cotton pad to spot-cleanse your body. The oil-attracting micelles in micellar water can effectively cleanse sweat and grime from the body, keeping you feeling and smelling fresh!
TRY: Sephora Collection Micellar Cleansing Water, RM95
Essential #2: Body mist
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Whether you’re in need of on-the-go touchups or you’re putting the finishing touches on your wet wipe bath, a body mist is a must. And, if you want to go the extra mile, a hair mist or hair-and-body hybrid will help you complete the ritual.
There are so many great scents to choose from, but we’d recommend gravitating towards fresh and vibrant scents like Salt and Stone’s Bergamot & Hinoki Body Mist Fragrance (RM230), Sol de Janeiro’s Cheirosa 62 Perfume Mist (RM195), and Rare Beauty’s Awaken Confidence Body Fragrance Mist (RM149).
Essential #3: Dry Shampoo
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Your hair is the first thing to suffer without a shower, so make sure you’re equipped with everything you need to keep your roots and tresses fresh. A great dry shampoo may not truly cleanse your hair, but it can certainly make it look the part.
TRY: Sachajuan Dry Shampoo Mousse, RM189
While standard aerosols and powders are good options, the best type of dry shampoo to use is a foaming or mousse formulation. Not only does it absorb oil well, but the foam texture doesn’t leave the same cakey, grimy residue that a powder formulation would, so you stay feeling clean and airy for longer!
Essential #4: Spray deodorant
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So, why a spray specifically? Well, the last thing you want to do when you don’t have access to a shower is create a petri dish of grossness on your deodorant stick. A spray ensures that you can neutralise your pit stink without the risk of cross-contamination. That, and a spray is just a lot more convenient on the go.
Essential #5: Body powder
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Let’s be real—if you’re not showering, you’re getting grimy. With all the sweat you release throughout the day, you’re bound to feel sticky. A good body powder (either baby powder or talcum powder) will help you keep dry throughout the day. Plus, if you shop for a scented formula, it’ll help you smell cleaner too!
Essential #6: Bar soap (and a towel)
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If you have access to a sink or basin, a bar of soap is all you need to get clean. All you have to do is wet your towel, lather in some soap and use that to spot-cleanse your body. Once you’ve cleansed up, rinse the towel and wipe yourself down until you’re squeaky clean. Bar soap is pretty compact and won’t take up too much space in your beauty bag, so no excuses!
Essential #7: Mouthwash
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PSA: Mouthwash is not a substitute for proper oral care! You should be brushing your teeth regardless of where you are (cavities and tooth decay are no joke, okay?), but in lieu of running water, mouthwash is great to rinse your mouth out with post-brush. Plus, it’s also just useful to keep your breath minty fresh throughout the day.
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