This post: Help Your Teen Create the Perfect On-the-Go Personal Hygiene Kit
Written By: Marybeth Bock
If you’ve ever received a text like this from your teen daughter, then you know… “OMG, Mom! I got my period at school and I thought I had tampons in my backpack but I don’t! Can you please bring me a few?”
There’s really nothing worse for our kids than being caught off guard or needing something and realizing they don’t have it. That’s where helping your teen create a personal emergency/hygiene kit can make all the difference in the world to help them feel better prepared for, well… almost anything, AND give them a heaping dose of peace of mind.
And, considering so many teens have crazy busy schedules and they’re sometimes gone from morning until night, having a few of the “just in case” necessities at their fingertips is a great thing to have! Even if they only need something once a month, when they do need it, boy, oh boy, they’ll sure be glad they have it!
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Why Does Your Teen Need a Personal Hygiene Kit?
Well… for starters, life just happens. Maybe your daughter is having an awful hair day and forgot her comb or brush. Maybe your son forgot to put deodorant on and he’s (quite literally) stinking up the classroom. Maybe your son or daughter has something stuck in their braces that they can’t get out.
Having a small bag of essentials tucked in their backpack (that can easily be transferred to a gym bag, tote bag, or purse) can be a real lifesaver for a teen who already has plenty of other stuff to worry about. Plus, just knowing they have it on hand can really boost their confidence.
22 Practical and Helpful Products for Your Teen’s Emergency/Personal Hygiene Kit
Your teen might not need everything on this list. Let them pick and choose what they feel is important to put in their personal emergency/hygiene kit.
- Lip Balm: Nothing feels worse than having chapped lips!
- A Comb and/or Brush: Whether they’re having a cummy hair day or need to tame their hair after practice, this is a must-have.
- Hair Accessories: Hair ties, clips, a headband – perfect for crummy hair days or when they just want to pull their hair back for practice.
- Toothbrush/Paste: Not only to clean their teeth but to battle bad breath.
- Dental Floss or Picks: The small dental picks are perfect for helping them remove food that might be stuck in their braces or teeth.
- Travel-Sized Mouthwash: Maybe not a necessity, but it sure is nice to have when you need it.
- Deodorant: Choose a travel-sized deodorant or antiperspirant that suits your teen’s preference and
sensitivities. Their friends and classmates will thank them! - Feminine Products: Tampons, pads, etc. Your daughter will be SO glad she has them on hand.
- Travel-Sized Dry Shampoo: Another helpful product to throw in – especially on those days when they stumbled out of bed and didn’t have time to wash their hair. (Teenager’s hair can get greasy SO fast!)
- Breath Mints or Gum: Because Dorito’s breath isn’t too nice AND they might just end up kissing their cutie.
- Tissues: A small package of tissues is great to have on hand when cold season hits.
- Hand Sanitizer: A small bottle of hand sanitizer is great to keep those germs at bay, particularly during
cold and flu season. - Personal Wipes or Dude Wipes: Great for freshening up throughout the day, especially during the hot, sweaty months or after a heavy workout or practice.
- Nail Care Kit: A small, inexpensive nail care kit that includes tweezers, a nail file, and nail clippers is another great thing to have on hand.
- Blotting Wipes for Oily Skin: A life-saver for both guys and girls. Great to have on hand to blot their oily face during the day or especially after sports practice. Plus, it will prevent nasty blackheads and breakouts.
- Acne Treatment: If your teen has acne-prone skin, consider including an acne spot treatment – especially great to have on hand if they feel a pimple coming on.
- Makeup/Cover-Up: Having just a few essentials on hand like a cover-up stick to cover pimples, blush to brighten up their cheeks or a little lip color can make a girl feel more confident throughout the day.
- Emergency Stain Remover: A small stain-removing pen or wipes can be a lifesaver for unexpected spills or stains on clothes.
- Sunscreen: Include a small bottle of good quality sunscreen to encourage sun protection.
- Band-Aids: Several band-aids of various sizes are always helpful to have on hand, especially if they get a blister (which is the worst).
- Medication: Whether it’s a prescription med or an over-the-counter pain reliever like Tylenol or Midol, be sure
to follow the health and safety guidelines set forth by your teen’s school. (They can be real sticklers about bringing unauthorized medication to school!) - EXTRA: Of course, if your teen showers at school or at a gym facility after P.E. class or athletic/dance practice, include small products like shampoo, conditioner, body wash or soap, and a razor.
Remember, it’s not necessary to include all of this in your teen’s personal hygiene kit.
They may want to add a few additional things that will make their life easier or they may decide a handful of items will suit them just fine. Either way, having these things on hand will make their life easier and a whole lot less stressful!
Check out these personal hygiene convenience kits available on Amazon!
Marybeth Bock, MPH, is Mom to two young adults and one delightful hound dog. She has logged time as a military spouse, childbirth educator, college instructor, and freelance writer. She lives in Arizona and thoroughly enjoys research and writing – as long as iced coffee is involved. Her work can be found on numerous websites and in two books. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
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