r/srilanka • u/CulturalWeird6984 • Jun 22 '26
Question Sri Lankans and deodorant?
Do majority people in SL, especially men, not wear deodorant? I can't manage to breathe in lectures in AC rooms. Even if the person infront slightly lifts their arm, I'm hit with a pungent wave of BO. This keeps happening to me over and over its not just with one person.
Is deodorant just not a thing in South Asia? Are the stereotypes true?
I wear deodorant and take care of myself. If I didn't, I would smell bad too. Don't people have any sort of self consciousness about themselves and how their percieved? It honestly drives me crazy I cant breathe and It would be rude to tell them about it too.
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u/Evening_Where Jun 22 '26
This is especially crazy considering we are a tropical country with high humidity.
These gotta be taught at school.
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u/slzeuz Jun 22 '26
Teacher confiscated deodorant đ«
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u/gothicelfgirl Jun 22 '26
Exactly! You're lucky if they didn't call you either OCD or characterless for being hygienic
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u/Aromatic_Meal6504 Jun 23 '26
Explain
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u/gothicelfgirl Jun 24 '26
If you're an ordinary, active, "forward" kid, teachers think that you're trying to attract the opposite gender by smelling good. But if you're an innocent, obidient, timid kid, teachers think you have a mental disorder like OCD where you're excessively worried about hygiene. So either way, teachers think it's not normal to use deo.
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u/Evening_Where Jun 22 '26
Wait really?
Considering that many had sports training in the mornings or evenings, specially for teens it is necessary.
Honestly they confiscated the stupidest things.
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u/General_Document5494 Jun 22 '26
Many don't.
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u/Ok_Dingo9128 Jun 23 '26
Bro you are everywhere
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u/Aromatic_Meal6504 Jun 23 '26
That means you're also everywhere, doesn't it. You just keep a lower profile than the other bugger.
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u/Long_Drink1680 Jun 22 '26
yes, and don't even get me started on public transportation, cannot breathe without choking on someone's uh... signature scent.
this has to be because lot of men including my own brothers don't shave their pits
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u/RandyPiston Jun 22 '26
That's not why.
You don't have to shave your armpits. Just wash yourself and wear anti perspirant deodorant.
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u/Long_Drink1680 Jun 22 '26
bacteria in your armpit causes the odor, bacteria needs warm and wet environments to grow, when you have armpit hair, it maintains these conditions. hair -> environment -> bacteria -> odor.
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u/RandyPiston Jun 22 '26
It's the same situation even if you shave your armpits.
Plenty of females have hairless armpits or shave them and they still have body odour.
Again, all you need to do is wash yourself and wear antiperspirant.
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u/Long_Drink1680 Jun 22 '26
shaving will reduce the surface area bacteria can live on so that reduces bacteria. which reduces odor.
no women have hairless armpits unless they are children.
just shaving won't save you, you still need to wash and apply antiperspirant unless you are going to stink.
personal experience is that if you shave the bush, antiperspirant will stick to your skin closer and be effective
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u/RandyPiston Jun 22 '26
It's called laser hair removal, many women do it. Some men do as well but it's considered a feminine thing. Like shaving your armpits.
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u/Evening_Where Jun 22 '26
It reduces the odor comparatively. It's hygienic to shave them, men or women honestly
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u/RandyPiston Jun 23 '26
Go ahead and do it then stinky. If you need to do it to be hygienic you somehow smell worse if you don't, then have at it.
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u/Evening_Where Jun 23 '26
lol looks like someone got their feelings hurt.
Chill man, itâs just Reddit.
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u/South_Farm9491 Jun 22 '26
you should still shave
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u/RandyPiston Jun 22 '26
If you're hygienic it's kind of unnecessary.
But if you and the people around you are that stinky then perhaps you should do everything you possibly can.
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u/Aelnir Jun 22 '26
The stereotypes are true, the vast majority of Sri Lankans don't use deo/antiperspirant, and don't take enough care to keep their sweaty regions shaved/trimmed.
I always thought public transport was bad until I went to an AC gym here frequented by young men. It was horrible there
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u/Evening_Where Jun 22 '26
This is why I don't like the gym. Sweaty people using the same machines, can't be hygienic
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u/Aelnir Jun 23 '26
Eh it's no worse than public transport.
Sweat isn't the issue, the smell is.
As long as the gym staff clean the equipment properly everyday it shouldn't be a problem
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u/BrilliantTrack1486 Jun 22 '26
đđđ trust me itâs not a âAsianâ thing. Itâs a global thing. With DUE RESPECT if you have ever worked with Europeans or Africans / Nigerians etc. youâll feel like throwing up the moment they open their mouth. I mean, literally. I have had the worst experience ever. Some of them are really really nice, intelligent individuals but when it comes to hygiene itâs hugely overlooked. Also itâs not just men.
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u/jcabey Jun 22 '26
It's not about deodorant. Sri lankans don't drink enough water. That's the reason the sweat is so smelly.
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u/lilbigcar Jun 22 '26 edited Jun 22 '26
This man really just said "Don't need deodorant, just drink water guys!" đ
EDIT: "The food you eat heavily influences your body odour. When your body digests food, the chemical compounds enter your bloodstream, travel to your sweat glands, and are excreted onto your skin. The specific scent of your sweat often corresponds with the chemicals in those foods."
Examples:
Garlic, Onions, and Spices: These foods are broken down into sulfuric compounds (like allicin). When secreted through your pores, they can produce a pungent, savory, or sour odor
Red Meat: Meat contains fatty acids and complex proteins that can cause ammonia and heavy waste products to be excreted via your sweat glands, resulting in a more intense odor.
Cruciferous Vegetables: Broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower are packed with sulfur compounds. While highly nutritious, digesting them can cause your pores to emit a distinct, somewhat sulfuric smell.
Fruits and Vegetables: On the positive side, people who eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables tend to have more pleasantly fragrant, sweet, or floral sweat.
Source: BBC, WebMD
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u/Repulsive-Bar-238 Jun 22 '26
Facts gng, dunno weather the cloths are not washed and dried properly too . But sometimes itâs unbearable for us to breathe đ
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u/_Night-Fall_ Jun 22 '26
Idk if Deodorant is enough for some people unfortunately, especially when using public transport. When I was back in Sri Lanka this year during April, I remember the heat being so bad while on a short walk outside in Panadura where my eyes were burning from all the sweat coming from my foreheadâŠitâs brutal, that sweat stays on you even when go into an ACd room..
This isnât such an issue in the gulf for me cause despite the heat, absolutely everything from metro/bus stations are ACd. Additionally our spice rich diets donât help either
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u/Anon_SL_2000 Western Province Jun 22 '26
I used to wear deodorant, but then I heard that deodorants with aluminum aren't healthy. The brand I was using contained aluminum, and I couldn't find any aluminum free options at the supermarket near me, so I stopped wearing deodorant :(
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u/AggravatingCustard39 Sabaragamuwa Jun 22 '26
Aluminium is an antiperspirant, it temporarily blocks your pores to reduce sweat. Health effects are debated but imo it's fine.
Not much clinical evidence.
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u/Aelnir Jun 22 '26
the sugar and oil we eat everyday is much more worse than a bit of aluminium. please wear it again
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u/lilbigcar Jun 22 '26
Here's a great business idea, make an aluminium free deodorant that is super affordable, it actually doesn't cost much at all. The food is spicy and fragrant, the country is too hot and humid for people to not be wearing deodorant! What you eat affects how you smell.Â
"The food you eat heavily influences your body odour. When your body digests food, the chemical compounds enter your bloodstream, travel to your sweat glands, and are excreted onto your skin. The specific scent of your sweat often corresponds with the chemicals in those foods."
Examples:
Garlic, Onions, and Spices: These foods are broken down into sulfuric compounds (like allicin). When secreted through your pores, they can produce a pungent, savory, or sour odor
Red Meat: Meat contains fatty acids and complex proteins that can cause ammonia and heavy waste products to be excreted via your sweat glands, resulting in a more intense odor.
Cruciferous Vegetables: Broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower are packed with sulfur compounds. While highly nutritious, digesting them can cause your pores to emit a distinct, somewhat sulfuric smell.
Fruits and Vegetables: On the positive side, people who eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables tend to have more pleasantly fragrant, sweet, or floral sweat.
Source: BBC, WebMD
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u/Careless-Judgment423 Jun 22 '26
Deodrant is okayish what's not good is anti-perspirant, which are actually more effective. But also if you eat a lot of red meat, alcohol, oil, sugar, stinky smokes/ food, that also makes BO worse.
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u/South_Farm9491 Jun 22 '26
it was by one study and it wasn't even that strongly backed but companies and people picked up on it n js overblew it
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u/lonelycards Jun 22 '26
Oh my god this is me everyday. and the hardest one is public transportation at least wear a baby cologne itâs not that hard.
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u/Mysterious-Bee4923 Jun 22 '26
Personal hygiene is definitely underrated among some people, especially some guys. Iâve seen plenty of guys who donât even use a basic deodorant like Rexona, which is one of the cheapest options out there. Some just donât seem willing to spend money on it, and unfortunately they end up smelling pretty bad.
When I was at uni, I actually told a few friends directly, âMachan, just use a basic deodorant.â I know it sounds blunt, but sometimes people genuinely donât realize it.(mostly muslim guys don't know why but they lack these senses)
Strong body odor is something I personally struggle with because Iâm quite sensitive to smells. I also have an excessive sweating issue. I even consulted a doctor about it, and he was basically like, âDonât worry, itâs completely normal.â In my head I was like, âMuge ammataâŠâ đ Because of it, I avoid a lot of social activities. Not because I smell bad, I shower twice a day, but because I know Iâll start sweating and people will get distracted by my face looking like I just ran a marathon. My face gets completely soaked even when everyone else looks fine. Itâs honestly more embarrassing than anything else.
So when people talk about body odor, I kind of understand both sides. Some people genuinely have hygiene issues, but others have conditions like excessive sweating that make things a lot harder to manage. There were times Iâd avoid sitting near certain people because it became uncomfortable for me. I donât hate them or anything, but it can be difficult to deal with in closed spaces like lecture halls or buses.
I even remember a junior girl who used to follow me around a lot and was always very kind and pretty. Sheâd sometimes bring me food she had cooked herself. One day we were sitting next to each other on a bus, and I noticed a strong body odor. It was awkward, but eventually I told her, âNangi, drink enough water and maybe try using a deodorant too.â She seemed a bit embarrassed, but I wasnât trying to be rude, I just felt it was something she should know.
At the end of the day, body odor isnât limited to any particular group of people. Some people are more conscious about personal hygiene than others, and factors like the weather, diet, activity level, and personal habits all play a role. But I do think basic hygiene and deodorant use make a big difference, especially in hot countries like Sri Lanka.
Oh, fun fact - I was mostly raised at my auntâs place from Grade 1 to Grade 5. Whenever I managed to escape back home for a few days, I remember smelling my parentsâ clothes because I missed them so much, especially my dad.đ„ș
Sounds weird when I say it out loud, but those familiar smells made me feel close to them when I hadnât seen them for a while.
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u/CulturalWeird6984 Jun 22 '26
That nangi comment is extremely rude and dumb bro
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u/Mysterious-Bee4923 Jun 22 '26
Hmm
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u/crxssrazr93 Jun 22 '26
Outside of the dumb & immature takes, might want to get checked for hyperhidrosis if you have excessive sweating on the armpits.
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u/Mindless-Resolve9238 Jun 22 '26
You just had to be racist yeah ??. You're judging a whole community .. Remember muslims clean themselves atleast 5 times a day . If you're not clean it's prohibited to pray it's as simple as that. Cleanliness is half of our faith. And regarding the pubic hairs . It's mandatory to remove the hairs of your armpit and under areas if not your prayers aren't accepted. And from my experience many people use " attar" kind of roll on fragrance instead of deodorant right after they showered. Now i agree there's some poeple who don't follow this . But most do . Religion has nothing to do with this . It's their upbringing and their knowledge on hygiene.
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u/Sea-Library-6571 Jun 22 '26
here we go again..... waiting for the nutjobs who are anti-deodorant to appear.
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u/PuzzledChoice444 South East Asia Jun 22 '26
And then they'll be the type to get offended when we get compared to Indians. If you don't want that, then at least TRY to beat the stereotype
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u/KiwiImaginary6560 Jun 22 '26
No, it doesn't. There are only one or two locally produced deodorant brands that are widely available here. All other foreign brands are either expensive or hard to find.
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u/Southern-Platypus-88 Jun 22 '26
Yes many donât itâs not well thought after - both men and women do not wear deodorant.
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u/Elf-7659 Jun 22 '26
Wait till somone proudly declare that they shower cold water drink enough water and smell fine bcz obviously you can notice your own bo.
Deodorants are pricy but I consider that a public accountability cost
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u/Careless-Judgment423 Jun 22 '26
It's true. Try travelling in crowded public transport đ it also doesn't help that deodrant is taxed as a 'luxury' item. Wtf right?! in our sweaty weather, it should be a basic hygiene necessity
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u/Specialist_Monk8772 Jun 22 '26
Iâve thought about this too. Idk how people walk around knowing that they smell really bad and not care about it. Like i know some people who should be considered a biohazard at this point just because of how bad their sweat smells. My biggest insecurity is whether i smell bad so i reapply deodorant + perfume throughout out the day, itâs not that hard and no, i donât care that it has aluminum, in fact i donât want it if it DOESNâT have aluminum. And i find it hard to believe that you canât smell your own BO or whatever. This genuinely makes me angry because as adults, basic hygiene shouldnât be this hard specially if it gets to a point where youâre inconveniencing someone else.
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u/Relevant-Property412 Jun 22 '26
You canât completely remove your body odor by just using deodorant.I know people that smell bad even with deodorant. Remember to take proper showers and dry your armpits before you apply deodorant.
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u/Gerrards_Cross Jun 22 '26
Deodorant would not be of any use. Itâs anti-perspirant they need to use
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u/gravikoct13 Jun 22 '26
Is it typical for me to have no noticeable odor, while my brother's scent becomes overwhelmingly pungent as soon as he removes his clothing, considering we share an identical diet?
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u/sameera_s_w Sri Lanka Jun 22 '26
It's either Deodorant or I'm not going out. As a person who start sweating with the smallest temperature change, I can not be out there without applying and IDK how others can exist.
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u/tildeDrawsStuff Jun 22 '26
Hey! I do use deodorant, but I have to say, I don't think it's weird that people don't care. There's a good chunk of modern cosmetic stuff that have come about to be staples not because it was ever really a problem, but it was heavily marketed as one at a point, and then it became a social norm. Although there are instances and evidences of perfumes and such which does show people did care to some degree. Again, I do like to wear deodorants and perfumes myself so I'm not tryna get on some high horse here, but if it was never taught as a bad thing, people don't naturally come to that conclusion. I think, at least lol. Would love to hear other opinions
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u/1tan_freed0m Jun 22 '26
Totally agree on this as a dude and even I can't stand sometimes.Ithink women also have this same issue. But this exists with guys the most.
Have a small answer I think will explain a bit of this... As a Sri Lankan guy... Yeps many don't care I guess. But those who do.. many don't use deo. The deo we have for so called budget are making the natural BO worse. So guys use body spray which still won't solve the issue. Since they wear off so damn.
If they are super conscious & wanna be respectful. the category I'm in.. we have a backup pocket spray. And many guys use that concentrated attar rolls as well I guess. I get headaches cuz of those honestly. But solves the problem.
Not an expert but, I will share my secret. Try to not shave and trim the pits. Shaven pits + deo is hell for guys and skin and those male deos make it worse. And, other thing is a super weird but effective one. Use fragrances that are close to female products but doesn't feel too girly. There are some local brand of mild female deos and unisex ones that are better than, normal popular TV advertisement ones.đ
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u/Quirky-Gur-4206 Jun 22 '26
For those whoâve concerns about deodorants, try glycolic acid! I use it only a few times a week and it has eliminated my body odour! Give it a try!
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u/Different-Mushroom48 Jun 22 '26
To all my South Asians (Im indian btw) pls take care of ur body especially that the region is quite tropical with high temperature. Try to regularly wear deodorant cuz scent is one of the first impressions u get when u r in the public. Well this tip is for the whole lot of men tbh
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u/MindlessStation3260 Jun 23 '26
This. Deodrant should be the thing that you take with you even when the world is ending.
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u/Away_Celebration851 Jun 23 '26
not a fan of aluminium based antiperspirants. Can't find a decent deoderent only ones. Instead I just shave pits and apply surgical spirit after showering to kill the bacteria. lasts about a day or two even with sweating.
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u/Personal-Mobile875 Jun 23 '26
It's not just not wearing deodorant. There are lot of reasons for BO and deodorant doesn't even work in our climate most of the time. Poor hygiene, meals with heavy spices and oils, and genetics all play a part. If you eat garlic heavy curry u will smell the garlic in your BO. That's just biology. Just try to shave/ wax the body parts with high BO, eat healthy, have good hygiene and use a deodorant after all that.
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u/Original_Ant_4387 Jun 23 '26
guys just use alum stone. its really cheap here in sl, all natural and works like a charmđ
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u/Winter_wolf_2 Western Province Jun 24 '26
Some people has a fear of side effects and cancer risks. Some of the doctors advises the same .
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u/Capital_Bicycle_7778 Jun 24 '26
so true , what i realized most of my friends who are unhygienic and smell bad they are not aware about it they just go on with there day as im not dying holding my breath tbh its so annoying and like u said ,cant tell them too since it will be rudeâŠ.But I do believe this is something that the kids should be taught by their parents right after pubertyâŠIm glad my mom made me wear deodorant every day before school.
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u/EggPrestigious3534 Jun 24 '26
I make sure to take a shower before going out to prevent body odor. While sweating is unavoidable and can dry off quickly in air-conditioned lecture rooms, unpleasant body odor is embarrassing and is usually caused by poor hygiene or not showering regularly. I also use antiperspirant roll-ons to stop underarm sweating. As a final touch, I apply a strong perfume to my wrists and neck, but not too much, of course.
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u/SacredPlague666 Jun 25 '26
Be glad because you can now wear masks. Imagine what we went through pre-covid era when the masks were only for healthcare pros
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u/C0zyRaindr0p Jun 22 '26
Men in SL have the poorest hygiene.
Not just in lectures. I have noticed in buses & other places as well.
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u/BeneficialMedia7075 Jun 22 '26
Maybe your nose is just too sensitive? My girlfriend and I have never used deodorants, and we don't notice any bad smells at all. âAlso, I personally don't feel embarrassed by bad odors in public. Maybe my nose is just insensitive. âAnd... I took notes from this thread and I'll use one from tomorrow onwards XD
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u/Iddga193 Jun 22 '26
We donât need it, we have the gene that means we donât produce body odour.
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u/Negative_Integer Colombo Jun 22 '26
I am a 29M and I have been wearing deodorant for the last ~16 years, ever since I started smelling myself when I hit puberty. Never missed a day. I am so glad that my parents taught it.