It’s difficult to maintain the same level of hygiene you do at home when traveling. Even something as simple as washing hands becomes a luxury. It’s the main reason why traveling can leave you with body odor and make you more vulnerable to diseases.

To ensure you stay fresh and get back home healthy, here are some tips on how to maintain personal hygiene when traveling. 

1. Pack a Hygiene Kit 

A hygiene kit should have everything you need to keep your body clean and fresh. For a major trip, you can pack two kits; a larger one that goes into your checked luggage with everything you’ll need throughout your trip and a smaller one for your carry-on. 

Keep in mind that flights and most trains have a liquid size limit of 100ml. For liquid products like mouthwash or sanitizer, either decant them into smaller bottles or buy travel-size versions.  

Here are the essentials to include in your hygiene kit. 

• Hand sanitizer 
• Mouthwash 
• Antibacterial wipes 
• Deodorant
• Foot deodorant if you are concerned about foot odor 

Add anything else that you think is important for your hygiene. 

2. Avoid Unsanitary Surfaces

Airplanes, trains and other public spaces you encounter when traveling are a lot dirtier than you think. Surfaces that are touched by many people are particularly unsanitary. These include handrails on stairs and escalators, door handles, benches, toilet seats, faucets, tray tables and others. 

Avoid touching such surfaces unless absolutely necessary. And if you have to touch them, use a hand sanitizer immediately afterwards.  

3. Wear a Face Mask 

Avoiding contact with unsanitary surfaces and using a hand sanitizer will protect you from germs that come into contact with your hands. But there are still airborne pathogens to worry about. 

While some planes and trains have HEPA filters that capture most airborne germs and pollution, not all public spaces have this luxury. So, Covid or not, always pack a couple of face masks and wear one whenever you are in a public place. 

Instead of the cheap disposable masks that can get uncomfortable and cause skin issues, we recommend the Hercleon Aplu flight mask. It’s designed for maximum comfort during long flights and it prevents mask acne on your face.

A face mask doesn't just protect you from airborne germs; it also keeps out things like smoke, dust, mold and pollen. This is especially helpful for people with allergies or asthma.  

4. Wear the Right Clothing

What clothes you wear, and pack, can determine how easy it is to maintain your personal hygiene. 

Clothes that make you hot and sweaty are absolutely terrible for hygiene. Remember you’ll likely sweat more than usual when traveling. Hours spent sitting down in a plane or walking in a city for hours can leave you funky with sweat. 

Wear and pack clothes that absorb sweat and dry quickly. If you have the budget, wool clothes are great. They are highly absorbent, stay dry and are odor-resistant. 

Bamboo, linen, and silk wear is also pretty good. Cotton clothing is absorbent, but it can cause issues if you sweat heavily. It holds onto the sweat, which can make you uncomfortable and cause body odor. 

Synthetic clothing made from polyester, nylon and other fabrics dry quickly, but they don't absorb sweat well and tend to trap sweat against your skin. They also smell sweatier than natural fabrics.  

For the best odor protection, we recommend antimicrobial clothing like the Hercleon HercShirt or Kribi underwear. They actively fight odor-causing bacteria, ensuring your clothes (and skin) stays fresh. You can even wear the same shirt several times without washing it.  

5. Don’t Touch Your Face

No matter what you do, it is impossible to completely avoid getting germs onto your hands. And that’s okay. You don't have to be super obsessive about it. As long as you wash or sanitize your hands often, you will be fine. 

But try to avoid touching your face. Frequently touching your face transfers germs, oil and dirt onto your sensitive skin. This can trigger acne and other skin issues. 

Other ways to protect your skin include moisturizing before and during your trip, staying hydrated, and using sunscreen.