Bodily odors can be offensive, from stinky armpits and feet to a stench in the groin. Finding out how to smell better is easier than most people think.
Guys produce more sweat glands than women. Men tend to sweat more because they are physically bigger. Larger bodies produce more heat, and it takes longer for them to cool off. Our bodies also become less heat-tolerant as we get older.
When we get hot, our bodies’ natural cooling mechanisms kick in and make us sweat. “Sweating helps release heat, which helps maintain optimal body temperature,” says Pamela Webert, an exercise physiologist at Henry Ford Health. “If we didn’t sweat, our bodies would literally cook from the inside out.”
So, it’s not all bad. Sweating is a natural process that’s essential to our health. It prevents our bodies from becoming too hot. What about the stench? Now that’s a whole other story. But don’t worry, if you like to get up close and personal, there are plenty of steps you can take to keep yourself smelling sweet all day.
There are many useful products that you can purchase, in addition to natural ways of smelling sexy. These range from men’s grooming kits to deodorants and colognes, and all go a long way to helping you ace the sniff test.
For me, there’s no better compliment than being told I smell amazing, which is why I’ve put a lot of time and effort into getting to grips with male hygiene.
Here’s my take on how to smell good all the time!
The Key Takeaways
There’s lots of info online to help us guys find out how to smell good. As we know, the importance of making a good first impression is not negotiable at work and in social settings.
After reading countless research articles and studies, I found that our bodies are naturally susceptible to bacteria, sweat and odor. If you want to learn to smell better and banish the BO, then a regular hygiene routine is essential. Use soaps, gels and washes to create a hot, steamy shower. Trim excess hair and eat healthy. Also, be careful when choosing your scents. Simple, right?
The Best Products for a Fresh Smell
There’s no secret recipe when it comes to how to smell good. The first step is to never skip your daily bath or shower. Lather up with men’s soap, shower gel, and body wash products that contain natural oils and moisturizing properties.
After showering, forget the notion that lotions are only for women and start slathering. Moisturized skin retains fragrance better for longer. Reach for products that are either unscented or have only a hint of fragrance that won’t clash with your go-to cologne.
No amount of cologne is going to be able overcome the unpleasant smell that comes from your body. Before venturing out into the world, use a fresh-smelling product that doesn’t fight for air space with your cologne. Many people ask me to explain the differences between the two products.
Deodorant protects against body odor while antiperspirant has aluminum particles that actively block pores, preventing sweating and body odor. Both can be used daily, but I prefer the antiperspirant, Jack Black Pitt Boss. The nourishing formula contains vitamin E, which keeps pits smooth.
Whether you’re a clean-shaven gent or a bearded bro, there’s no excuse not to always smell good. You’ll need a kit of basic products for touch-ups on the go. I’m not talking about fancy trimmers or high-tech toothbrushes here. You only need gum, breath fresheners, mouthwash, foot spray and deodorant.
If I can, I always keep clean socks and shirts in my bag. Finally, since we’re all bros here, I’m going to recommend you invest in some butt wipes. Coined as a “breath mint for your butt” these wipes are a great way to clean up your most private area.
There are a variety of exotic scents that can infuse clothes with a lasting fragrance, sometimes up to 14-days. But my advice is don’t opt for a laundry detergent with a long-lasting fragrance.
The best men’s colognes have a high concentration of scent. To showcase your cologne, it’s way better for your skin and clothes to be an unscented blank canvas. After all, you don’t want multiple conflicting fragrances to go head-to-head in the ‘how to smell good’ battle.
Diet has a major impact on your body odor. The Cleveland Clinic reports that while asparagus is known to give off a sulfur-like smell, other vegetables, such as broccoli and cauliflower, can have the same effect.
Even worse, junk food can ruin your smell. The body struggles to digest processed foods meaning it tends to sit around in our body for a long time, and toxins may seep out via your skin’s pores – yikes. My advice is if you want to cozy up, rethink some of your food choices and boost your overall nutrition by incorporating a daily men’s multivitamin.
It only takes a few hours of exposure to smoke for hair to smell bad. Huron Shampoo is mild and hydrating, so you can keep up with the competition by washing your hair every day. The menthol, citrus and juniper scents are complemented by the aromatic green fragrance. Argan oil hydrates your hair.
Dry shampoo is a great option for those with oily or coarse hair. Dry shampoo is relatively new in the world of men. It gives limp hair body and texture while absorbing grease. The result is a fresh fragrance. You can check out my holy-grail Dry Shampoo, Living Proof. It’s a cult favorite that sells out fast. Stock up while you can for those days when you just don’t have time for the full grooming regimen.
Wash your balls and groin daily, potentially more if you’ve worked out or are having a sweaty day. Your crown jewels act as a breeding ground of bacteria and germs, which, if unchecked can lead to an offensive odor and infection. Ballwash, a specialist hygiene item that will leave your balls smelling great, is the product you should use. Charcoal powder is one of the key ingredients, as it absorbs odors and bacteria. Dry your garbage thoroughly after washing. No one wants jock-itch, chafing or yeast infections.
By shaving excess hair from the pubic and underarm area, you can reduce body odor. Both areas are breeding places for bacteria. Trim your hair as often as you can, every 2 to 3 weeks, with a manscape body hair trimmer, or a pair of scissors. The excess hair traps moisture and odors, causing the skin to become warm and moist. This leads to sweat. Bacteria on the skin then break the sweat down, and it’s this that prevents you from smelling good! Saying that, don’t get razor-happy and make yourself baby smooth either. A healthy amount of body hair helps to absorb skin moisture.
During the day, your body emits heat, and you may notice you’re smelling a little funky. It’s a good idea to have a small version of your favorite everyday men’s cologne handy to spray on your wrist, neck, or elbow crease. These pulse points, which get warm throughout the day, help the fragrance to interact with the body’s chemistry to create a pleasing aroma. The best tip I can give is to look for combos with travel sprays, such as this one.
I spray some cologne on my mattress whenever I change my sheets. When possible, I only use fragrances down to their dregs. Once the new bedding is on, you’ll notice a faint scent in the air and a lingering scent on your PJs or if you sleep in the buff, your body. Prada’s Luna Rossa is a great choice if you want to impress your guests. It’s one of my favorite men’s EDTs because it smells like freshly laundered linen. FYI. Spraying the pillows or sheets is not something I would recommend, because it could irritate your eyes.
Why You Should Be Trusted
I have tried and tested a cornucopia of men’s colognes for FashionBeans during my search to discover how to smell good and sifted through dozens of reviews. It is a tip that I frequently miss: apply cologne on clean skin to make it last longer.
A layer of dirt or oil can affect the scent. But dodging deodorant and swerving a decent shampoo can also affect a guy’s scent appeal. It doesn’t end there either, so here, I will share some of my hygiene habits that will ensure you smell mighty fine from dawn ’til dusk.
Final Verdict
You may have wondered why the person next to you always smells so great. Luckily, you aren’t chasing the holy grail when it comes to the quest of how to smell good. Personal hygiene starts the moment you get up until you go to bed. Knowing your body is the key to smelling great. Here are my 10 best tips to help you smell good.
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Whether you’re a lumberjack or a lawyer, dirt, sweat, and bacteria can result in body odor. Take a shower or bath every day to ensure you smell good. Instead of using regular soap which raises the skin’s pH level and creates a breeding ground for bacteria, choose a shower gel suitable for sensitive skin or consider buying a soap-free body wash. Lastly, make sure you dry your skin thoroughly. The bacteria and fungi that can grow on wet skin and interact with sweat to produce body odor.
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It’s all about the smell! To ensure your follicles are fresh and your crowning glory shines, some experts, depending on your hair type, advise washing your hair three or more times a week, “Those who have thin or fine hair, exercise, and sweat during the day—or those who live in a very humid place—should be shampooing their hair daily,” says Dr Lucy Chen, a board-certified dermatologist. Dr Chen goes on to say that “those with thicker hair, and those with a dryer scalp, can go a few days without washing their hair. Moreover, use hair-specific fragrance products that contain essential oils as these won’t dry out your strands like regular perfume.”
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