The History and Evolution of Deodorants: From Taboo to Social Acceptance

2023-07-02 20:00:13

Jul 2, 2023 at 6:15 p.m

Sweating is a natural and healthy bodily function. Sweat cools and detoxifies the body and is also part of the protective acid mantle of the skin. However, the bodily fluid is frowned upon socially: its smell and stains on clothing are taboo. Heavy sweating is only accepted during sporting activities or in the sauna, otherwise people wrinkle their noses at it. The social sense of hygiene changed around 1900, when the first deodorants were brought onto the market and the cosmetics industry declared war on body odor and, in particular, armpit odor with massive campaigns. The aim was to create a market for the newly developed products. As you know, with success: today, a deodorant belongs in our cosmetic cabinets as a matter of course.

Design: Johanna Steiner