Personal care
Everyday hygiene and grooming products: materials, care and use.
Pick a guide below. Each one explains what to look for and how to use the product safely. It also says when to ask a doctor or other expert first. Sources are listed at the end of every guide.
Guides in this section
Body Wash: How to Choose One for Dry, Sensitive or Acne Skin
How to choose a body wash: gentle formulas for dry or sensitive skin, what FDA says about antibacterial body wash, and…
Cotton Rounds and Cotton Swabs: How to Choose and Use Them
How to choose cotton rounds and cotton swabs: disposable vs reusable rounds, pointed and long swabs, and why swabs…
More guides
Best Natural Deodorants: How to Choose One That Works for You
How to choose the best natural deodorants: what aluminum-free formulas can and cannot do, ingredients that irritate…
Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste: Does It Work, and How to Choose
What hydroxyapatite toothpaste is, what research shows compared with fluoride, who might choose it, safety, and how to…
Ear Wax Removal Kit: How to Use One Safely at Home
Ear wax removal kit guide: compare drops and bulb syringes, check label limits and ear conditions, and know when…
Hemorrhoid Cream: OTC Ingredients and How to Choose
How OTC hemorrhoid cream works, phenylephrine vs lidocaine vs hydrocortisone, how to apply it, the 7 day rule on…
Saline Nasal Spray: Sprays, Drops and Rinses Compared
How saline nasal spray differs from saline drops and rinses, what CDC, FDA and MedlinePlus say about colds, allergies…
Dandruff Shampoo: Active Ingredients and How to Use It
Dandruff shampoo guide: ketoconazole vs pyrithione zinc vs selenium sulfide, how long to leave it on, how often by hair…
Dental Floss: How to Floss, Types and What the Evidence Says
Dental floss guide: how to floss step by step, woven vs thin vs braces floss, what a Cochrane review found, ADA advice…
Denture Adhesive: Creams, Strips, Zinc Safety and Fit
Denture adhesive guide: creams vs strips vs powders, how to apply and remove it, FDA advice on zinc and overuse, and…
Denture Cleaner Tablets: How to Use Them and Safety Warnings
Denture cleaner tablets explained: how to soak, brush and rinse, very warm not hot water, persulfate allergy warnings…
Dry Mouth Spray: How It Helps, Ingredients and Other Fixes
Dry mouth sprays explained: what saliva substitutes do, ingredients like xylitol, milk protein cautions, other…
Electric Razor: Rotary vs Foil and Shaving Without Bumps
Electric razor guide: rotary vs foil shavers, wet and dry use, replacing foils and blades, dermatologist tips to reduce…
Electric Toothbrush: Are They Better and How to Choose One
Electric toothbrush guide: what a Cochrane review found vs manual brushes, rotating vs sonic heads, timers, pressure…
Hair Growth Serum: Minoxidil vs Cosmetic Serums Explained
Hair growth serums explained: what minoxidil labels say, foam vs solution, men vs women directions, how long results…
Shampoo for Thinning Hair: What It Can and Cannot Do
Shampoo for thinning hair: what dermatologists say hair loss shampoos can do, volumizing vs conditioning formulas…
Tongue Scraper: How to Use One, Materials and Bad Breath
Tongue scraper guide: how to scrape back to front, steel vs copper vs plastic, scraper vs toothbrush, bad breath causes…
Whitening Strips: How They Work, Sensitivity and Safe Use
Whitening strips explained: how peroxide strips work, wear times, sensitivity and gum irritation, why crowns will not…
Antibacterial Hand Soap: Is It Better Than Plain Soap?
Antibacterial hand soap explained: what FDA's 2016 rule found, which ingredients remain, how to read the label, and the…
Bidet Toilet Seat Attachment: Cool vs Warm and How to Fit One
Bidet attachments explained: non-electric cool vs warm water models, dual nozzles, pressure control, fit and install…
Body Hair Trimmer: Guards, Wet Use and Skin-Safe Grooming
Body hair trimmer guide: skin guards and comb lengths, trimmer vs shaver heads, showerproof models, trimming sensitive…
Feminine Wash: What Doctors Advise and How to Choose One
Feminine wash explained: why the vagina cleans itself, external-use only washes, why douching and scented products…
Hand Sanitizer: 60% Alcohol Rule, How to Use It and Its Limits
Hand sanitizer guide: why at least 60% alcohol matters, how much to use, when soap and water work better, label…
IPL Hair Removal Device: Who It Suits and How to Use It
At-home IPL hair removal explained: how it works, which skin and hair colors it suits, weekly sessions, before and…
Menstrual Cup: Sizes, Safety and What the Research Shows
Menstrual cup guide: how to pick a size, how long you can wear one, what a large review found on leaks and safety, IUD…
Neti Pot: Safe Water, Step-by-Step Use and Cleaning
How to use a neti pot safely: why tap water is unsafe, distilled, sterile or boiled water rules, step-by-step rinsing…
Nose Hair Trimmer: Why Trim, Not Pluck, and How to Use One
Nose hair trimmer guide: why plucking risks infection, how far to insert rotary vs linear heads, ear and eyebrow use…
Organic Tampons: What the Label Means and How to Use Them Safely
Organic tampons explained: organic cotton and chlorine-free claims, absorbency in grams, applicator types, how often to…
Period Underwear: How It Works, How Long It Lasts, Care
Period underwear explained: absorbent layers, how many tampons' worth it holds, how often to change, washing and drying…
Personal Lubricant: Water vs Silicone and Condom Safety
Personal lubricant guide: water-based vs silicone lube, condom compatibility, why oil-based products break latex…
Toilet Stool: Does a Squat Stool Help and Which Height to Pick
Toilet stools explained: what studies found on straining and emptying, 7 vs 9 inch heights, travel and adjustable…
Vaginal Moisturizer: How It Differs From Lube and How to Use It
Vaginal moisturizers explained: how they differ from lube, how often to use them, internal vs vulvar products, and when…
Alcohol-Free Mouthwash: Fluoride vs CPC Rinses Compared
Alcohol-free mouthwash compared from drug labels: fluoride anticavity rinses vs CPC gum rinses, how to use them, ages…
Canker Sore Treatment: Benzocaine Gels vs Patches and Limits
Canker sore treatment from labels: benzocaine 20% liquid vs menthol canker cover patches, how to apply, the 7-day limit…
Nicotine Gum: 2 mg vs 4 mg, Chew and Park, and the 12-Week Plan
Nicotine gum explained from the Nicorette label: choosing 2 mg or 4 mg, the chew and park method, the 12-week schedule…
Nicotine Lozenge: 2 mg vs 4 mg, How to Use It and Limits
Nicotine lozenges explained from the Nicorette label: choosing 2 mg or 4 mg, letting it dissolve, the 12-week schedule…
Nicotine Patch: 21, 14 or 7 mg, the 10-Week Plan and Tips
Nicotine patch explained from the NicoDerm CQ label: which step to start, the 10-week schedule, where to apply it…
Smoke Detector Guide: Ionization vs Photoelectric, Placement
How to choose and place smoke detectors using CPSC and USFA guidance: ionization vs photoelectric, where to install…