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By Eric Alt
1. Be thankful for your foul body odor. According to anthropologist Louis Leakey, it might be responsible for early man’s survival. Leakey’s theory claims that most predators avoided feasting on humans because our body odor was “too repugnant.”
2. Not only did the ancient Egyptians give us pyramids and flush toilets, they also pioneered the field of deodorants. Egyptians were the first to popularize the idea of applying scents to armpits, usually using cinnamon and other spices that wouldn’t turn rancid in the heat.
3. The Roman poet Ovid preferred a more proactive solution. In Book III of the “Art of Love,” he cautions women against carrying goats under their arms.
4. Antiperspirants are classified as drugs by the FDA. Technically, they affect and/or alter your body’s natural functions.
5. When Kurt Cobain wrote the lyrics for Nirvana’s breakout song “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” he didn’t know Teen Spirit was a popular deodorant brand. The Mennen Company, which produced the deodorant, wouldn’t say whether the song caused sales to spike, but six months after the single debuted, Colgate bought the company for $670 million.
6. The first modern brand of antiperspirant, EverDry, hit drugstores in 1903. The original formula was so acidic that it regularly ate through clothing.
7. Of course, modern antiperspirants can also ruin your clothing. Aluminum chloride, the ingredient that blocks glandular openings and prevents sweating, is notorious for turning T-shirts yellow. So, blame your antiperspirant for your pit stains, not your body.
8. Offensive body odor is actually illegal in libraries in San Luis Obispo County, California.
9. One thing modern antiperspirants don’t do is cause degenerative diseases. Medical science has found no conclusive evidence that absorbing aluminum chloride through the skin can lead to memory loss or slurred speech.
10. Aoki, a Japanese company known for its menswear, has developed a deodorant suit that supposedly absorbs sweat and neutralizes odors all over the body.
11. But that’s nothing! The greatest Japanese innovation in the fight against B.O. is Fuwarinka scented gum. The so-called “functional candy” contains aromatic compounds that cause your skin to release “Fresh Citrus” or “Fruity Rose” aromas for up to 6 hours after chewing.
12. In May 2008, actor Matthew McConaughey revealed that he never uses deodorant or antiperspirant. The next day, he received a year’s supply of deodorant body spray from the Axe Company, along with a note on why he might want to start.
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Comments (34)
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I really hate using deode. It causes my skin to turn red and break out, and it really doesn’t matter what brand or type I try. There’s only one or two that I can use rarely when I really need it (outside working with people, etc) but I think I’ll stick to my morning shower, nightly bath routine for most of the time.
I also could have sworn I read somewhere that a light regular non-deodorized scent tends to cause the part of the brain that takes interest and considers mates to become active. There was some test done where women voted that the man who smelled without deodorant smelled the best of the group
posted by IM on 7-5-2009 at 11:16 pm
I recently did some comparison shopping for gel antiperspirant. The women’s section had it for $4 for 2.7 ounces. The men’s antiperspirant was $2.50 for 4 ounces! So I thought I’d be thrifty and bought the man stuff.
Later I used it and found that a tiny twist pushed out three times what I needed, so you end up spending just as much over time. The only real difference was the packaging. I guess men need more goop per application.
posted by Miss Cellania on 7-6-2009 at 12:11 am
for IM, you might want to try a crystallized deoderant. My dad is also allergic to anything scented so he uses that instead. There’s a link to the picture and a little article. Anyway, good luck.
posted by hidden sunshine on 7-6-2009 at 12:49 am
btw, click on my name above to get to the article
posted by hidden sunshine on 7-6-2009 at 12:50 am
I had to switch to an organic deodorant. It took a few weeks of buying different brands every time I went to the store to figure out I was allergic to anything with aluminum in it. Organic deodorant is a bit hard to find, but it beats constant hives.
posted by jen on 7-6-2009 at 1:45 am
i have the same issue, especially after i shave- it causes huge welts under my arms, and is completely awful.
i keep meaning to try the homemade baking soda and lemon thing, but since i still have a few half used sticks of deoderant, i just can’t bring myself to throw them away.
ah, frugality.
posted by emmiline on 7-6-2009 at 3:21 am
Actually, deodorant has another great use — it’s fabulous for preventing razor burn! Grab your soft solid deodorant and rub it on over areas you’ve just shaved (never tried this on a face — wouldn’t recommend it, but it works well elsewhere) and you’ve got a great preventative against razor burn.
posted by dance on 7-6-2009 at 3:23 am
Miss C, just be lucky you can get a 2.7 oz for $4. I’m one of those extra sweaty types who has to wear the clinical strength stuff, and that’s $9 for 1.7 oz.
posted by nutmeag on 7-6-2009 at 8:31 am
Not that I’m complaining too much. I’m just glad they finally came out with something that works on me. :-D
posted by nutmeag on 7-6-2009 at 8:32 am
A friend of mine who has gone TOTALLY natural SWEARS by a baking soda and cornstarch mix. I also read that using equal parts unscented coconut oil, baking soda and corn starch works. Poured into a cleaned deoderant container, that can be used as a solid.
posted by Programmher T on 7-6-2009 at 10:15 am
To all those who think you don’t smell…trust me, you do. Use it.
posted by Jess on 7-6-2009 at 10:29 am
If I remember “Heavier Than Heaven” correctly, Kurt Cobain definitely knew about the Teen Spirit deodorant. His then-girlfriend used it, and someone wrote on the wall of his apartment “Kurt Smells Like Teen Spirit.” The rest is history.
posted by Erik on 7-6-2009 at 1:36 pm
Agree with Jess.
I try to avoid public places in the summer because foul body odor offends me that much.
If I’m anti-social because I don’t want to smell you, then yes. I’d say you stink.
I don’t care how much of a beau hunk he is, Matthew McConaughey needs to stay far away from me.
posted by holly on 7-6-2009 at 1:44 pm
I tried the crystal deodorant once and it didn’t work. I had just as much BO at the end of the day as if I hadn’t worn it at all.
posted by Nicole on 7-6-2009 at 1:54 pm
I have to say that the clear goop stuff doesn’t work that well. Probably the whole “mostly water thing” Also, I agree with Jess, use SOMETHING because you do smell. Maybe not in the morning but by noon you stink.
posted by nihil on 7-6-2009 at 1:55 pm
Erik – it was actually Bikini Kill & Le Tigre frontwoman Kathleen Hanna that wrote “Kurt Smells Like Teen Spirit” on his apartment wall.
posted by Lauren on 7-6-2009 at 2:04 pm
Highly recommend plain old white vinegar. I cannot use antiperspirant and vinegar works well.
posted by barking on 7-6-2009 at 3:06 pm
I also use the crystal deodorant. I use it ‘coz I hate most deodorant perfumes and that gross residue the sticks leave. Plus, no stains on my clothes!
Crystal deodorant is tricky though. Depending on the brand, you either have to swipe a few times, or, like 50+, no kidding. It also works better if you have little/no armpit hair.
posted by tona b. on 7-6-2009 at 3:15 pm
Nicole – crystal deodorant also takes a while to work because the bacteria clogged in the pores by regular deodorant takes a while to clear out. If you try it again, exfoliating might speed it along.
posted by tona b. on 7-6-2009 at 3:26 pm
I continue to go the natural route, as I fear predation.
posted by bears? where? on 7-6-2009 at 4:01 pm
I just learned way more about my fellow readers’ b.o. than I ever really wanted. Thanks! :)
And I use Dove green tea & cucumber with no issues.
recaptcha: it reapply
posted by nikki on 7-6-2009 at 4:22 pm
Why does it say on deodorant bottles not to use it if you have kidney disease? I’ve always been curious of that.
posted by Jill...NOT Jillian on 7-6-2009 at 6:07 pm
My husband really has no b.o. Not kidding. He only starts to have b.o. after he’s been working out for awhile, and even then, it’s really mild. His dad is the same way, and has only purchased one stick of deodorant his whole life.
posted by Roxie on 7-6-2009 at 7:22 pm
The goats under the arms in number three is probably a reference to underarm hair.
posted by JBA on 7-10-2009 at 1:12 pm
Yes, someone wrote on Kurt Cobain’s wall “Kurt smells like teen spirit.” But he DIDN’T know it was referring to a deodorant. He took the statement literally, and thought it would be a great title for a song.
Click my name to read Kurt’s account of the incident.
posted by Jaclyn McKewan on 7-22-2009 at 8:48 pm
Banning “strong body odor” in public libraries is actually fairly common. Along with rules against bathing in the restrooms, and sleeping on library property, it helps prevent homeless people from moving in. These rules also help in instances where elderly or mentally challenged individuals are being left at the library instead of being taken to a day care facility.
posted by Maggie on 8-19-2009 at 11:28 am
Deodorants are the main reason why I hate being in crowded places. That stinking smell constantly gives me headaches and sometimes even makes me sick. For me “axe effect” (often exaggerated) is way worse than foul body odor which is less common (with +15oC average in summer in my country) and rarely so intense.
There are shampoos, soaps that smell like natural things – fruits, flowers and I really like them, if they are hardly noticable yet existent.
posted by krustabas on 9-16-2009 at 5:04 am
I’m all for the library law. The public library that I worked at had a plugin air freshener to combat excessively stinky patrons.
I think it was purchased for one woman in particular – I literally had to hold my breath (subtly, of course) when checking out books to her. It was the most offensive odor I have ever encountered, and thinking about it now (3+ years later) still makes me a bit queasy.
posted by dietrite on 10-24-2009 at 11:40 am
I use the strongest deodorant that is available over-the-counter and sometimes have to repply throughout the day. I’ve tried the crystal and found it didn’t work. I don’t have a couple of weeks to let it do it’s job.
I sweat even when I’m cold.
posted by Amber on 11-6-2009 at 2:02 pm
I started going for the unscented stuff once I figured out that axe doesn’t turn women into stupid sluts. Neutralize odors without catching attention, thank you!
posted by Jurandr on 11-18-2009 at 11:30 pm
Hmm, cinnamon deodorant? The Egyptians may have been on to something…
posted by Robert on 11-26-2009 at 1:23 am
When I was younger I actually used teen spirit! The berry one smells like gum, or so I’ve always thought.
Oh and the goats under the arms, because I dont think ancient Greeks shaved, is in reference to women carrying young goats to sacrifice. I don’t know if you’ve been around goats, but lord, they are smelly creatures and if you carry one, you smell terrible and it’s hard to get rid of the scent.
posted by tess on 12-13-2009 at 11:06 pm
some people really don’t smell, contrary to what most of you insist. my husband never sweats from his underarms. we live in the desert, and he stays dry even in the middle of the summer. no b.o. at all. he’s never even owned deoderant. all he needs is a shower to wash away the grease and oil smell from his work as a mechanic.
posted by Fate on 1-1-2010 at 12:06 am
wow, first post of the new year…and its only 9 over here…
posted by Fate on 1-1-2010 at 12:07 am