Shampoo and gel

A lack of hygiene, both personal and in our surroundings, encourages the proliferation of disease; in fact, the word hygiene derives from Hygeia, the Greek goddess of health. Nowadays, however, with the current level of hygiene around us, we can say that washing ourselves as often as we do cannot be justified for health reasons. Instead it corresponds to sociocultural motives: smelling of perfume attracts approval and having your hair even slightly greasy is disapproved of.  The manufacturers of hygiene products undoubtedly take advantage of the natural concern for health to stress the idea that “washing often is essential”. However, excess hygiene involves excessive consumption of natural resources and can even result in health problems, particularly if the most common products on Western markets are used.