As the Artemis II mission with Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen heads toward the Moon, the crew is navigating not only scientific challenges but also the everyday realities of life in orbit.
Life in microgravity requires a complete rethink of routine personal care. Water behaves differently—rather than flowing down, it forms floating, sticky droplets, and long hair tends to lift and drift in all directions. Powder-based products and perfumes are replaced with creams to prevent particles from damaging lungs or equipment, and hygiene routines are simplified due to limited water supply.
Astronaut Kelly Gerrardi told Glamour that “NASA provides every astronaut with a personalized hygiene kit—they can even choose their favorite toothpaste. Astronauts rarely wear full makeup like on Earth, but they bring items that help them feel put together.”
Washing hair in space takes about 20–25 minutes, using specialized foil or plastic bags with no-rinse shampoo. Shaving is done with unscented cream or gels suited for long missions. Long hair is often left loose to improve ventilation and prevent follicle clogs or bacterial growth.
Veteran astronaut Sunita Williams, who spent 288 days in space, is known for her long hair—and upon returning to Earth, her hair turned completely gray, a result of stress and hormonal changes accelerating the depletion of pigment-producing stem cells.
Skincare also requires special attention. European astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti demonstrated using a special soap packet where water literally floats on the skin due to surface tension, with excess wiped away on a towel drying near a vent.
As for makeup, astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor notes, “I bring eyeliner, eyeshadow, and a brow pencil, but it’s more hassle than benefit. Other female astronauts do wear makeup daily.”
Dental hygiene involves either swallowing toothpaste or spitting into a towel, and nails are clipped carefully with clippings collected by a vacuum to prevent them from floating around the station.
Since Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space in 1963, approaches to female astronaut care have evolved dramatically. In 1978, NASA introduced dedicated hygiene and makeup kits for the first women astronauts, including mascara, lip gloss, and blush.
Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, recalled dealing with tampons, lotions, and creams more suitable for women, replacing the standard male-oriented supplies.
Despite all the challenges of microgravity, female astronauts continue to find ways to stay groomed and comfortable, proving that even in orbit, self-care is possible.
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