Is it time to start using a deodorant?

When to start using deodorant…When things need freshening up

Have you noticed some…changes in your body odor recently?

We all get underarm smell, but it gets stronger as we get older. You might be a lucky guy who naturally smells fresh, but it’s also fine if you’re noticing your underarms getting smelly, even when you’re chilling. It’s actually totally normal. Wondering ‘when should I start using deodorant?’ Well, that’s where we come in. We’re in the sweat business, so we know a thing or two. Read on to find out.

What age should you start using deodorant

The age when you start to sweat can be anytime from when you’re 8 to 15 years old. When it comes to puberty and body odor, everyone’s different, but with our irresistible fragrances,, our deodorant’s got your back for up to 48 hours. Don’t sweat it. Literally. We’ve got you.

What causes changes in body odor in boys and men?

A quick biology lesson. We’re all born with sweat glands: between 2-4 million of them, in fact. But not all sweat glands are the same. One type of sweat gland cools you down when you get hot. Those guys are located all over your body, and mainly pump out scentless water and salt.  

Puberty and body odor is when things start to smell different. Enter apocrine sweat glands. These guys only really activate when you get older, in response to hormonal changes. They’re located in those funky smelling parts of the body like the armpits, and they really kick into gear when you’re stressed, excited, or even in pain (they’re not all bad: they also release pheromones, which are famous for playing a part in sexual attraction. Yowza!).

Apocrine sweat is also odorless but contains stuff like protein and carbs. Turns out the bacteria living on your skin eat this stuff up – literally. They can’t get enough of it. And when they process it, they release the familiar smell we know as body odor. 

Just like bad houseguests, the bacteria leave a mess behind that you have to clean up. Lucky you! Think of it as prep for many future parties you’ll be throwing.

When should you start wearing deodorant?

The first step in managing these changes in body odor is a no-brainer: you need to be clean! Remember, you want a rep for smelling good. Science shows that how you smell is important to girls (and guys)!

Managing body odor starts with your daily shower. Soap helps limit smelly bacteria, so get lathering! Our body washes get you started on the right foot: they’re refreshing, cleansing, and smell fantastic.

Ok, so keeping clean is a fairly obvious one, but knowing when to use deodorant is the next big question. It’s always best to apply deodorant to clean skin, so applying deodorant or antiperspirant after your shower is the best time to do it.

A deodorant protects against changes in body odor, while an antiperspirant stops or reduces sweating. If this is your first deodorant, Axe’s New Fresh Collection is a great choice. It’s inspired by nature with 100% natural origin scent, is aluminum free and contains no parabens. 

You can use deodorant or antiperspirant  - or both! We’d recommend starting with a deodorant and keeping the antiperspirant for days when you think you need some wetness protection. Antiperspirant and stick deodorant go straight on your underarms but deodorizing body spray can go across your chest area and still offers body odor protection.

Our tip: find a scent you love so you’ll look forward to wearing it. If you’re not sure where to start, why not check out our guide on how to choose the right deodorant for you, or for inspiration, look at a list of our most popular fragrances.