I don't use deodorant.

@Galena (9110)
May 19, 2007 5:41am CST
why are so many people surprised or disgusted by this? I don't use it because I don't see the point in using it. I smell good. instead of trying to cover the smells, I WASH. soap and water. body odour is caused by the bacteria that breed in sweat. sweat in itself doesn't smell bad unless it's allowed to go stale. if you wash then the bacteria don't get to build up. and you don't get the bad smell. on muggier, humid days I will occasionally use a natural deodorant. one using bicarb and antibacterial essential oils. but that's really rare. even in summer. I wouldn't for a moment consider using an antiperspirant, as that's just not healthy. sweating is part of the bodies natural temperature regulating system. it can't be healthy to prevent that. especially not to prevent that by blocking sweat glands with metals. I can honestly say that I don't have body odour. I even have people come up to me on public transport and saying how good I smell. so just because someone doesn't use deodorant doesn't mean they smell bad.
12 people like this
34 responses
@APMorison (424)
• United States
19 May 07
I use the 'salt rock' deodorant - basically just keeps the bacteria down to a dull roar I don't use antiperspirant - sweat is normal, however the smell is not conducive to business - I do wash regularly and well - but some days it just ain't enough in high summer ;) so deodorant yes, indeed - antiperspirant, no - it ain't healthy
2 people like this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
19 Aug 07
I wish I didn't have to wear deodorant. The darn stuff is expensive and it gets all over my clothes and the invisible stuff just doesn't work for me. If I don't use deodorant, I'd stink to high heaven and even be kicked out! lol Maybe it's the climate that I live in, who knows. My husband is the same way and gags me when he doesn't have it on.
1 person likes this
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
20 May 07
I'm one of those lucky people that doesn't need to wear deodorant as well. If I find that I do I use baby powder. With all the patches out there I wonder how much of the chemicals in the antiperspirant and deodorants soak into the skin causing problems years down the road.
@astromama (1221)
• United States
30 May 07
I use a natural deodorant when necessary, essential oils, and soap and water. I find that because I do cleanses and fasts on a semi-regular basis, my body doesn't smell as bad as it did when I had more toxins coming out in my sweat. I notice, though, if I don't wear deodorant and I have coffee, my sweat smells like coffee! I only wear deodorant when I am going out on a really hot day, or if I'm going to be socializing... otherwise I don't worry about it and enjoy my natural, pleasant smell. My hubby actually prefers me a little stinky, and I prefer him that way... pheramones, baby!
1 person likes this
@moomincat (321)
11 Jun 07
Agree with you wholeheartedly. The worse smell is when people use them as a cover up for not having a wash. Im paranoid about the chemicals in the products especially aluminium so dangerous to block the pores around the armpits its the way the body is made to secrete waste and toxins. Im convinced it could be a contributing factor to cancer. But the family accuse me of beating a drum.
1 person likes this
@nancyrowina (3850)
20 May 07
I rarely use deodorant as I don't feel I need it I just wash if I smell of sweat, it's just another product they want to convince us we need so we buy it all the time like so many others. I don't think it's healthy to stop your body from sweating too, it's a cooling system for your body apparently and stopping it can't be good for you.
1 person likes this
• India
19 May 07
I also dont like to use deodrants.But,for some people it is unavoidable.Some deosprays creates skin allergy.I am using Ayurvedic soaps to prevent body odour.There is no side sffects for Ayurvedic soaps.
1 person likes this
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
19 May 07
I certainly wouldn't use deodorant if I didn't absolutely have to! I think it's great that you can go without it and still smell good. I don't know if it's something in my body chemistry or what, but no matter how well I wash, as soon as I've been out of the shower for 10-20 minutes I smell. It's very annoying. I do wear deodorant, but definitely not antiperspirant. That's just sick, stopping your body's natural processes!
1 person likes this
• Saudi Arabia
30 May 07
Despite i use deodorant but i don't have a problem if my woman doesn't. Sometimes it is a turn-on, weird huh.
@Galena (9110)
30 May 07
not weird at all. there's pheromones in sweat, and it's only stale sweat that smells bad.
• Saudi Arabia
30 May 07
I see, well i may find that exciting too. Hey thanx 4 commenting on my response.
• United States
19 May 07
You're so lucky! I can't survive without deodorant. I have to use it everyday. I've tried not using it and I start to smell just 5 mins after my shower! :(
1 person likes this
@hezoid (2144)
19 May 07
If you're lucky enough to smell fine without using it, then why bother using it? My partner doesn't use it becuase he doesn't smell. I don't smell much if i don't use it, but i have a sensitive nose and don't like even a tiny whiff of BO on me, so prefer to use it. I would like to switch to a more natural deodorant, but didn't have much luch with the Lush ones so i've been put off.
1 person likes this
@tamskie (388)
• Philippines
3 Jun 07
Yes! Your are absolutely right. Just using the simple things are the ones that really works like soap and water. No one should really be disgusted with it besides your armpit don't even smell a bit. That is really the best therapy, just washing your underarms with soap and water?
@Galena (9110)
3 Jun 07
actually at this moment my armpit smells of honey soap and carnation and rose moisturiser. yummy.
• United States
21 Feb 11
that good that you don't have body odor :) i use it just because i feel more comfortable using it making sure i smell extra good. i use the organic all natural kind because the store bought ones are bad
@Kirinx (1688)
• United States
19 Apr 11
wow i didnt even know they had organic deordorant O_O
@Kirinx (1688)
• United States
19 Apr 11
I can understand what your talking about and its great to wash up but what happens if you get sweaty while outside and dont have an access to water and soap.I think deordorant is convienent for that while washing like you said is the best way to smell good.
@Ritchelle (3790)
• Philippines
1 May 10
you're very lucky as it is already a fact that most humans need to use a deo. it had been said that it is nature's natural body / animal perfume. but of course, evolution has to fix that now. it should fix that. it's toxic. and i mean it. that's migraine for me for two days.
@siliguri (4241)
• India
22 Jun 10
Same is here i didn't think i needed a deodorant for get free from stinky smell. I use to bath daily which is enough for me for getting free from lousy smell..
• India
26 Oct 10
Hello Galena Lol I am not surprised at all though each person has his/her characteristic body odor, the sniffing police dogs work on this principle, but if one does not bath for days together, or twice at least in summer, he/she smells bad, it is better to take bath using some scented soap , if so no need of using deodorant, one smells good like you. Thanks for sharing. Professor. . Cheers
@elvieb02 (695)
• Philippines
22 Jun 10
When I am at home I don't use deodorant too but if I go out I use it. I don't smell too even I don't use deodorant but I don't like the feeling of wet underarms when I am outside, so I use it.
@mrgpk63 (444)
• United States
9 Apr 11
That does depend on the Body Chemistry as maybe it does differ in the Country Your From. But I don't Think it is a Good idea not to Use a Antiperspirant. Which is better than a Deodorant. To Walk around with Bacteria that Causes Odor isn't Healthy either. But as I said before it is According to the Body Chemistry.
• China
28 Mar 11
you did the right thing!