Personal Hygiene Products

Hygiene is a controversial topic. Why controversial, you ask? Not in the sense that we all don't value hygiene. We do. The problem is some value it more than others. So when we travel, exchange with others, either through business, family, or tourism, hygiene differences arise. To be blunt – some people shower and use deodorant more than others. There, we said it. We're not judging, far from it. But if you come from country X that is uber-hygiene centric, and go to country Y that lies on the other end of the spectrum, you're going to feel the differences. The word hygiene, like many words, is Greek in origin. Hygeia was the Greek goddess of health. Moreover, she was also the daughter of Aesculapius, the great God of Medicine. That's quite the lineage, and post the Industrial Revolution hygiene began to set in. The one thing that moves hygiene forward, in a real and tangible way, is disease. Major diseases have ravaged populations throughout human history. But the mid-18th century in England might have been one of the more noteworthy events. Cholera was decimating London, and a physician named John Snow astutely observed that the spread was likely though sewage-contaminated water. A water pump in Broad Street was discovered as the source. The handle was promptly removed and the spread contained. While few would attest to this, events like this affect humanity's collective psyche. The importance of bathing, taking care of oneself, and maintaining proper hygiene is not merely a "nice thing to do." It could be the difference between life and death. Personal hygiene products run the gamut from facial, body, and hair to oral care products, namely dental floss, toothpaste, and toothbrushes. Proctor & Gamble is likely the largest personal care and household product company in the world. With sales north of $68 billion per year, this American firm is a monster in this consumer segment, representing brands such as Tide, Gillette, Crest, and Pampers. Unilever is not far behind, with brands like Dove, Lipton's, and Vaseline. Based out of the Netherlands, Unilever holds 1,000 plus brands in its portfolio and is also active in acquiring up and coming brands such as Dollar Shave Club, Schmidt's Naturals, and Seventh Generation. While not nearly as large as Proctor & Gamble or Unilever, L'Oreal is a distant, but sturdy number three on the list. The French behemoth is a cosmetic leader and continues to grow to the chagrin of its competitors here. Speaking of, Reckitt Benckiser might not have the name recognition, but you likely recognize Durex, Varnish, Lysol, and Clearasil, right? This UK firm flies way under the radar in the States, but in Europe, it is a respected powerhouse. And rounding out the top 5 is Henkel, out of Germany. Brands such as Blue Star toilet cleaner, Purex, and Pursil are more known in Europe, but making an impact on the US slowly but surely. While Germany is not known as a personal hygiene center, Henkel is doing its best to crack that stereotype wide open.     Bottom line, keep your hygiene in order. Yes, there are some places you can let it slip. But if you don't do it for yourself, at least do it for those around you. We'll all thank you at the end of the day.