Are you navigating the world of tween girl hygiene at home? As your tween girl prepares for middle school, good hygiene practices become more important than ever. After our popular tween boy hygiene post, many readers requested a guide for tween girls too. While I’m not an expert on this topic, my sister, who has girls of her own, shared her insights and experiences. Together, we’ve compiled practical advice on essential topics like bras, managing unwanted hair, selecting the right shampoo, and even tween period tips. Plus, you’ll find a comprehensive Tween Girls Hygiene Helpers Shopping List at the end for added convenience.
Reflecting on My Tween Years:
I have oddly fond memories of my own tween years, especially when it came to learning about hygiene. Back in my day, I received an enormous pink “Period Starter Box” for the day my menstrual cycle would begin… someday. It sat in the top of my closet for what seemed like forever. I still remember looking at all the different sizes and diagrams, feeling both grossed out and curious.
When I finally got my period for the first time, my entire family went out to celebrate this milestone with ice cream. Not just my mom, but my entire family sat in a booth, celebrating my launch into womanhood. Despite having terrible cramps, the ice cream remains a memorable part of that day.
I think some of the fond memories come from the funny stories that have been retold over the years. For example, when I went bra shopping for the first time, I really didn’t have anything that warranted needing a bra, but everyone else had them in 6th grade. If memory serves me right, the new bra was purchased on New Year’s Eve. That night, my dad proudly announced to everyone, “Kristen got her first bra today.” No joke. Insert proud dad and mortified tween!
Have times changed that much? Not really, but we now have access to great products and helpful tips on the Internet. I’m thankful my sister is here to share her girl hygiene expertise. I hope these ideas give you some help and insight into products that will benefit your daughter
Acne and Tween Girls
Nothing says “I’m a tween” quite like acne. Girls are becoming increasingly aware of the wide range of skin products available for acne treatment. For spot treatment, we highly recommend these acne patches, and two dermatologists suggested this acne cream, which you can conveniently purchase over the counter. The other secret to combating acne effectively is using a good moisturizer. Tweens often think they should dry out their skin to tackle acne, but this is counterproductive, as it can lead to glands overproducing oil. Additionally, tweens often don’t realize how sensitive their skin can become to the sun. We love this light, high coverage sunscreen to protect their skin. *See the skincare section below for more tips.
How to Shave Your Legs for Tween Girls
Shaving your legs is a personal decision and for some seems to be a right of passage.We started by practicing by sitting on the edge of the bathtub. My daughter wanted to start with a real razor first, so we used the one (below) that is completely surrounded by soap. I had read that it’s more comfortable and less likely to nick. We haven’t had a cut yet! We tried a hair removal cream, but that was a complete fail.
Sister note: My sister and I were both given electric razors when we were 12. It was a right of passage to get to shave our legs. For my nieces, my sister decided to just let her daughters shave when they were ready.
Best First Razor for Tween Girls: This razor has the soap built right in and it surrounds the entire blade. It’s less likely to nick and you don’t have to fumble with shaving cream.
Best Electric Razor: This electric razor is a favorite because it’s ultra feminine and simple to use.
Tween Girls Eyebrows
The little one blade razor (click here) is the best starter tool for eyebrows. Teaching your daughter to not over pluck their eyebrows is important too! Follow this diagram and get good tweezers if you go that route. We’ve also used this handy tool to trim the hair between the eyebrows.
We’ve also tried professional waxing which helped give a guideline for good shape. Tip: Tell them you want a “natural” look. Same with tweezing, if you over do it…. they may not grow back!
Upper Lip- I’ve read all sorts of information and it seems that this little one blade razor (click here) , threading, bleaching (diluted), and waxing seem to be the most popular for girls. This is also super helpful (maybe for moms too), this is a mini electric razor (like a large lipstick tube) that can do facial hair and upper lips.
Hair Brushing and Tween Girls
Girl hair, am I right? Hair is so personal. You might know what works best for your hair, but your daughter’s hair could be completely different. We found that Hair picks for curly hair, and a Wet Brush helps with any type of tangled hair, as well as leave-in conditioner or detangle spray. My girls love flat irons and curling wands. This is a great all-in-one. We also use TONS of bobby pins and hair bands of all sizes. Best bet for quick up-do… Teach the art of the messy bun!
First Period and Tween Girlss
This whole subject can be stress inducing for girls and moms. The timeline is so broad for when they can get their periods. My girls carry an “emergency kit” with them to school. But they also know to just call the nurse or me if they get their period. Learning how to care for yourself during your “time of the month” maybe the ultimate: Tween Girls Hygiene Helpers.
This is a great Starter Kit because you can never be too prepared! There’s also a great line of tween pads.
Deodorant for Tween Girls
Ooh-eey! It’s a little overwhelming when you first catch a whiff of your not-so-fresh smelling tween or teenager. Not only does your girl need to wash her underarms, but she also needs to use an antiperspirant (helps minimize sweating and adds scent) or deodorant (control bacteria and adds scent). My girls just like what smells good to them. We literally stand in the aisles and sniff. Good times!
There are Natural deodorant (no aluminum, parabens, or toxins) or basic teen antiperspirant and deodorant. It’s a personal choice.
Also, don’t forget to keep a big bag of baking soda near your washing machine. Add a little to clothes, it helps get the stink out.
Bonus: You may need some of the charcoal bags to just remove smell. They’re reusable and “rechargeable” in sunlight. No weird smells, just cleans the bad smell out. Every closet, locker, and gym bag can benefit from one.
Best Shampoo for Tween Girls
The art of changing shampoos to prevent shampoo build up is our newest lesson. Our hairdresser told us to use clarifying shampoo once a week to help with build up and in the summer to get pool chlorine out. Too much product can make the hair look super greasy, which is definitely not needed during puberty!
Skincare for Tween Girls
Even though there are tons of products on the market specifically market to tween and teen girls, my pediatrician just recommended this type of mild soap and a washcloth or this scrubber. We’re still not sure how to get them to wash the recommended 2-3 times a day though!
Click here to learn about >>> Essential Oils for Teen Girls
Update: I have now learned that the best acne treatment is something they will use. Something that is easy to understand. This one works, but anything works if your child uses it. We looked up a video and then it came with 3 simple steps. *also see the Tweens and Acne section above
Blackhead Remover for Tween Girls
We follow the same essential oil regimen that my sister uses on her boys. Yikes when there are pimples and blackheads all over their baby soft skin. Her “Pimple Magic” is in a small small roller bottle: 5 drops Melaluca, 5 drops Lavender, and the rest is witch hazel. We also prefer doTERRA Essential Oils.
Update: My friend told me I should share this little tool with you too. You may or may not be completely grossed out, but you can purchase a professional blackhead/pimple remover tool. Click here: tool.
Tween Girls Nails
Fingernails are a breeding ground for bacteria that easily transfers to eyes, nose, and mouth. From what I’ve seen, my girls are interested in keeping their fingernails clean and tidy. Far more interested than my nephews! You’ve got to read the story click here about to find out how much ants like my nephew’s fingernails.
My girls like a great nail brush and fingernail clippers. Keeping your fingernails clean is also the ultimate Tween Girls Hygiene Helpers because staph lives under fingernails…. gross, but that’s often how acne gets infected.
If they really like getting their nails done, but the nail polish never sticks – try this awesome base coat. It’s like glue!
Shopping for Tween Girls Bras
For a girl’s first training bra, we liked Justice. Their bras are adjustable and come in many styles, including back clip, front clip, and pull-over-the-head designs. We started wit tank tops with built-in bras to help get the “feel” of wearing one. While it might be a rite of passage to go to the store (see my story above), these bras are also sold on-line., making them perfect for your daughter who might prefer trying them out at home and returning any unwanted ones to the store.
Smelly Feet and Tween Girls
This whole stinky feet thing is really a thing! Our best way to combat stinky feet…. Wait for it… wait for it….. changing your socks!! (shocking) We’ve also found that wearing sock more often than not helps, no-show socks are fun for flats and thin cotton are great for regular wear. When the shoe smell becomes too much to manage, we bought these to put in their shoes.
This is when you can lovingly say, “Honey, it’s not me, it really is YOU!”
Tween Girls Hygiene Helpers Shopping List:
- Acne patches
- OTC Acne Treatment Gel
- 3 step Acne system
- Sunscreen
- Shampoo
- First razor or first electric razor
- Upper Lip electric razor
- Fingernail brush and fingernail clippers
- Mild soap and face scrubber
- Menstrual Cycle Starter Pack and Teen Pads
- Eyebrow Trimmer and great tweezers
- Hair Pick or Wet Brush
- charcoal bags
- Natural deodorant or Teen antiperspirant and deodorant
- Shower timers: timer or waterproof timer
- Fingernail clippers
- Electric Toothbrush
- Face cleansing pads (with Tea Tree oil) or Cleansing pads
- Remove the stink from shoes
- All-in-one tool for hair
We prefer doTERRA essential oils for all of our oil use.
Recommended Books for Tween Girls and Parents:
1. Untangled: Guiding Girls through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood (click here)
I also recommend this book for parents of boys and girls. While it was written for guiding girls through the transitions of adulthood. It is not faith based, but the information is current and worthwhile for all of us to read.
2. The Emotional Lives of Teenagers (click here)
3. God’s Design for Sex series (click here)
If you haven’t talked to your daughter about the birds and the bees and God’s plan, you might like this series. It might look a little old-fashioned, but we’ve found that it grows nicely with our children and is non-threatening.
4. American Girl books:
- The Care and Keeping of You (click here)
- The Feelings Book (click here)
Click here for other helpful tween or teen posts…
How to Get the Chlorine Smell Out of Your Skin
Find some of my recommendations for children here
Visit my Teachers Pay Teachers Store here
This is the perfect list! I remember struggling (and panicking) a little bit when I was at that stage because I do not know what to buy for myself. I’m so thankful for my mother and a few friends who suggested things for me, but it took me a while to find products that suits best for me. Anyways, this is such a great post. Cheers! 🙂
Thanks Kyla!
What a list Kristen. I just impressed. I’m so appreciative for my mom and a couple of companions who recommended things for me, however, it took me a while to discover items that suit best for me. By the way, Thanks a lot for sharing this with us. 🙂
Excellent. Absolutely loved reading and very helpful at the same time 🙂
Do you have any tips for shaving air pits for the first time? Best razor? My daughter is 9 yo and has pits full of long hair. WHAAAT?!!!
Hey Cris! Oh goodness – the arm pits are literally the pits! My young teen niece recommends the Schick Intuition (has soap around the razor). Her mother, my sister, said you can do it for her while showing her how it’s done. Big safety tip: Girls at all ages can learn, but they must know how sharp a razor is! Don’t swipe your finger across the blades, we’ve all been there! I think an electric razor is a good safe alternative too, but I’ve even cut myself with one of those! Go figure… the hazards of beauty maintenance.
Hi dear friend, Your blog is really interesting. I read it. Truly loved the way you explored and posted personalized photograph. …….I would love to have your views on my blog on a similar topic to yours.
Love this post. We are currently in the depths of puberty. Just made a few changes in what we use based on your post. Thank you! Oh, I shared it on Facebook as well with all my mom friends!
Hey thanks, Any tips for girls refusing to be clean. Im a single father and my 11yo smells god awful. She refuses to bath ow wash herself and starts coughing if she smells perfume or deodorant. It doesn’t help that her pits have hair wich she has tried to cut (with a knife). She smells like an onion on a treadmill and I dont know how to to help
Hey thanks, Any tips for girls refusing to be clean. Im a single father and my 11yo smells god awful. She refuses to bath ow wash herself and starts coughing if she smells perfume or deodorant. It doesn’t help that her pits have hair wich she has tried to cut (with a knife). She smells like an onion on a sweaty skunk infested treadmill and I dont know how to to help
Thank you! An article for Dads on tips in raising girls would be awesome. I’m not a Dad. Mom here 😉 but it would be great to give my husband a manual of some kind to prime him for the beautiful up coming season with our tween. Just something like a crash course that reads for men. 😆🙄 Not sure if that exists anywhere but I love how light heartedly you wrote this article. Would love to hear a woman’s perspective too about how to prime the husband for a daughter’s evolution to womanhood.