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29% of Aussies would not date someone with body odour
2021 was a real stinker. No, literally.
Between outbreaks, lockdowns and all the drama that has gone with living through a global pandemic, it’s safe to say that some people have let their personal hygiene slide.
Perhaps it’s a blessing then, that masks have been required in public settings. Now summer is here, masks are coming off and that means a whole new assault on your olfactory receptors.
The Stats
Canstar Blue’s recent survey (conducted in Brisbane, one of the hottest states in Australia), has revealed that while women are more particular than men about body odour, 29 per cent of Australians would not date someone who has body odour.
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The comparison website surveyed over 1,100 women and 700 men who purchased and used a deodorant in the past six months to understand their preferences when it comes to deodorants and the etiquette surrounding body odour.
Canstar Blue’s Home and Lifestyle expert Megan Birot says there is an undeniable social stigma attached to body odour.
“The social stigma is real with close to one third of Australians or thirty-one percent of women and twenty-five percent of men admitting they won’t date someone with body odour," Megan says.
"In spite of this, a huge forty two percent or more than two fifths of Aussie adults don't see deodorant as an essential part of their daily routine.”
The Confrontation
We’ve all been there, when you have had to gently tell someone they smell worse than your Jack Russell did that time he ate a Brussels sprout and became flatulent for days, though hopefully you delivered the news as gently as possible.
When it comes to confronting those with body odour, 12 per cent say they have had to tell someone they have the dreaded BO, while 9 per cent know someone who smells foul, but are uncomfortable broaching the subject.
The solution
And what if you’re the one who smells worse than a bag of rotten emu eggs? Megan has some helpful tips.
"Deodorant isn’t the most exciting purchase, it’s arguably a necessity for the Australian climate, so sniffing out a good quality product is important," she says.
If you suspect you may be suffering from bad body odour yourself, don’t sweat it and take a preemptive approach to avoid being in this sticky situation again. A quick and discreet sniff test is a sure-fire way to find out if you’re not smelling your best."
So how do you choose which deodorant is best for you?
"Try a few different deodorants and antiperspirants to see which make a difference,” Megan answers.
“Or find specific products tailored to problems like excessive sweating or sensitive skin. Some people like to believe that combining and layering deodorants provides better protection against body odour, but that’s a myth and a waste of money."
The sweet smell of success
And if you’re still not sure which deodorant is best to de-stink you, take a look at the top deodorant brands.
Australians rated Mitchum best for women’s deodorants and Nivea best for men’s deodorants, giving the two brands Canstar Blue’s 2021 Customer Satisfaction Award for their respective categories.
The brands were rated on their overall satisfaction, as well as effectiveness, ease of use, scent, value for money and packaging.
For those thinking about their next purchase, floral and plant-based (35%) fragrances are most popular, followed by unscented (26%), fruity (21%) and musk (17%) deodorant scents.
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