I don’t use deoderant; I don’t feel the difference and I never really cared much about my smell; but my parent keeps bringing it up and it’s annoying.
Also, what’s wrong with smell? Human smells differ anyway.
I don’t use deoderant; I don’t feel the difference and I never really cared much about my smell; but my parent keeps bringing it up and it’s annoying.
Also, what’s wrong with smell? Human smells differ anyway.
If I’m around people, yes. If I’m just at home, no. I shower usually every 1-2 days but even so, I mostly wear deodorant when I’m going to be around people because I think it’s the considerate thing to do. Also as another user said, body odor often is correlated with hydration, or lack thereof. So drink water (pee should be clear) and that will help.
It’s one of those things where I think it just boils down to being considerate of others, and realizing that using deodorant is a pretty small measure to take in order to prevent creating an unpleasant experience for other people.
This thread’s kind of depressing to read. Come on people-- this is basic hygiene/consideration, it’s not rocket science. Brush your teeth (and tongue) when you wake up and before you go to sleep. Shower every 1-2 days (use soap everywhere below your face), and wear deodorant if you’re going to be around people especially indoors.
i’m hope i don’t come off as aggressive or anything, not my intention. just remember that those things aren’t easy for everyone (but i agree, definitely more considerate).
i don’t brush often due to many health problems, one major one being OCD. i can only brush during certain time slots, which rarely occur. i know my breath is atrocious. fortunately, i imagine a mask helps. i’m also not around people often.
i shower every 3-4 days, sometimes less often (though i don’t like showering less often). i also don’t use much soap unless i’m taking my eczema medication or waxing. and of course i use soap in the private areas, because i’ve had c. diff.
might sound gross, but i’ve asked honest people and they swear i don’t smell. and they’re the kind of people who have told me when i do smell. they know about my bathing habits. i just don’t smell (breath i’m sure stinks though, i haven’t asked because i know). if i did smell i would definitely do something about it. like our stomach, we have probiotics on our skin, and if our skin biome is healthy we generally won’t stink. now being that i have eczema i probably don’t have the best skin biome, but there’s certainly something good there. when my physical health issues were EXTREMELY severe and i hadn’t bathed in two months, my partner at the time told me i didn’t stink. and it wasn’t to be kind, she was genuinely surprised because, you know, two months without bathing, a person should probably stink.
there’s a guy in my building who always stinks. from conversations it seems he showers several times a day. i suspect he has a medical condition that i desperately wish he would get checked out, because i’ve nearly vomited around him several times. i know him well enough to know he’s on medicaid, so this is something that would be covered.
so everyone’s different. some of us can get away with showering less frequently, others can’t. i believe there’s a gene that makes your sweat not smell. just know your body and do your best not to be stinky imo
I don’t think you’re coming off as aggressive.
When it’s a matter of mental health getting in the way of hygiene, I definitely am a lot more understanding. But if it’s someone who just doesn’t put on deodorant or doesn’t shower regularly because they think they don’t stink but others do, then I think it’s a little different.
I’ll add that some peoples’ shower technique is terrible. I’m a guy and I’ve met countless men who legitimately believe they don’t need to wash their feet, armpits, butt or dick because they’re under the impression that the soapy water from the rest of their body makes its way over those regions so there’s no need to actually lather up and wash them. Also, drinking water helps a TON with body odor whereas drinking other stuff i.e. soft drinks just contributes towards body odor.
But yeah, half the reason why I try not to judge strangers when it comes to hygiene stuff is because as yo said, I really have no clue what’s going on with their physical or mental health.
I’ve actually read that using soap everywhere actually might be harming our skin barrier if showering every day. It seems soap on the armpits, genitals, and any stinky parts are the only place you should wash daily.
The article in question: https://web.archive.org/web/20220121065824/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/25/magazine/my-no-soap-no-shampoo-bacteria-rich-hygiene-experiment.html
Also, haven’t read it yet, but “The Joy of Sweat” by Sarah Everts seems like a good look at sweat.
But also, yeah use deodorant around other people. I’d suggest something unscented because really fragrant smells can be just as aggressively stinky (in the opposite way) as natural sweat.
I read a book on the topic and ever since I’ve only washed my stinky bits every 2-3 days. You can overwash, and it does do damage to your skin barrier. Sorry, I know your post was from weeks ago but this is knowledge everyone should know.
No worries about the length of time. Would you happen to know the book you read? I’d be real interested in reading it! I’m very aware of skin barrier damage (had acne when a teenager and killed the barrier so I kept getting acne until I healed that up!) but never thought about those stinky bits having their own…something to ponder on
I had to dig but I found it. Title Beyond Soap: The Real Truth About What You Are Doing to Your Skin and How to Fix It for a Beautiful, Healthy Glow
Oh wow thank you! Added to my book list, much appreciated!
Yeah. I forgot to add “(unless if the smell causes problems)” to my post.
^ If it’s bothering your parents enough for them to bring it up and you presumably live with them, I guarantee you someone who doesn’t live with you is going to be more bothered than your parents about the smell.
I’d recommend Mitchum Men’s Clinical unscented deodorant. It’s (obviously) unscented, and works very well (easily a full 24 hours). It’s a little pricey but you only need one or two clicks on the dial to have more than enough per armpit.
Also, I’m not sure what your shower routine is like but half the reason I shower is just because it’s an enjoyable experience away from people that I can just enjoy in silence. 10 minutes of bliss.