Back in 2016 after reading an article on the chemicals that go in to some of our skincare products. Especially the chemicals found in deodorants and anti-perspirants. I decided I didn’t want to risk my health by continuing to wear any type of deodorant. So I stopped wearing deodorant, and I haven’t looked back since. But why should you stop wearing deodorant?
The article went into detail about how it’s not you that smells bad. It’s actually the bacteria that begins to smell if sweat is left on the skin. This made me think that by using deodorant, you’re really just covering up the smell of the bacteria. Not dealing with the bacteria itself which is much more un-hygienic! What would make you stop wearing deodorant? Your health? How you smell? Some people even resort to taking steroids to help stop them sweating so much. But could it be down to our lifestyle choices making us smell worse?
Interview With The BBC
Until recently, when I was contacted by the BBC to do an interview on my thoughts and feelings towards not wearing deodorant, it hadn’t even crossed my mind since I stopped. It’s become such a normal thing for me 3 years later! WOW, I can’t believe 3 years has passed so quickly.
To be honest, I don’t know that I’ve learnt all that much. It’s now so normal for me not to wear it that I don’t even give it a second thought. I guess I’ve saved money over the years by not wearing it or having to buy it anymore. When I first stopped, it felt kind of freeing not wearing anything. Being able to feel the breeze on my under ams, especially nice on a hot day!
Do I Smell?
I don’t really remember how I use to smell so I don’t really know how this has changed. I guess if anything it has gone from smelling like chemicals and perfumes to a more natural scent. Or most probably coconut oil as that’s what I use on my skin everyday to keep it nice and hydrated.
To make sure I don’t ever smell and that I am always clean, I always have a what I like to call a ‘pit wash’ first thing in the morning when I brush my teeth – which is basically just a quick soapy wash under the arms and away I go.
One thing I have noticed is that when I get really cold – say if I’ve been on a long walk on a cold day, when I come inside, I notice I have a ‘me’ smell as I like to call it. It’s not a B.O kind of smell, it’s more like my scent if that makes sense. After I’d noticed this smell on myself, I actually noticed it on one of my brothers a few weeks later. He had the exact same smell, and it was really overpowering – I asked my husband if he could smell it and he couldn’t, so perhaps it’s a genetic thing. Maybe try smelling one of your siblings (in a non weird way) and ask some one else if they can smell it too.
Diet
Also, I have a super clean and healthy diet now but back when I first stopped if I ate particularly badly one day. The next day my sweat would have a slightly stronger odour. Almost as though the chemicals and other nasties in the foods I ate were forcibly trying to escape! Whether this was just co-incidence or not I don’t know but it did seem to happen every time I ate poorly. Now I eat so healthily, I don’t smell it at all.
My Tips
– Wash in the morning and evening – even if it’s just under the arm
– Take baby water wipes with you, especially if it’s a hot day
– Think ahead, will you be going somewhere hot and stuffy?
– Wear clothing that’s looser under the arms
– Switch to using natural skincare products
– Eat a healthy diet
– Stay hydrated
If you think I’ve missed anything or if there is anything else you would like to know about how/why I stopped and how my journey has been going, feel free to comment below.
Would you stop wearing deodorant?
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