The Hygienic Quandary (Or the scent of man)

I’ve been in a bit of a hygienic quandary of late.  This happens to me from time to time.  I seem to be restless of mind.  The result is a constant need to try to improve something in my life.  That’s largely why I don’t put together a list of New Year’s resolutions.  I’m resolving something all year long.  This latest quandary is in regards to sweating and the use of antiperspirant.  Some of you may ask why, exactly, would I blog on this subject.  The answer if very simple.

My wife told me to.

As I discussed this quandary with her she indicated that the followers at The Simple Life might also share the same or similar quandaries.  And so it is with that encouragement I write about an odorous topic (you may want to stop now…the humor will not get any better).

I am what is known in the police forensics field as a secreter.  This means I sweat heavily.  It has been the bane of my very existence since I was about 12 years old.  Try being in Junior High and sweating more than most grown men working in a foundry.  I’ve tried most of the deodorant/antiperspirant products in the store.  For me, it’s Mitchum Gel all the way.  It’s long lasting and does a great job.  I’ve used it my entire adult life.  Thus begins the quandary.

My wife and I have been working for years to rid our lives of chemicals and preservatives.  While I believe that the total elimination of these things from a normal American person’s life is impossible, we can pick our battles and we can minimize the use of these things in our lives.  It is down this vein my mind tends to wander during my morning routine.  The dark green of the Mitchum container glares at me like a beacon reminding me that it is full of chemicals purported to be harmful to me…and I use it every day.

Now, it’s not like I haven’t tried.  I’ve tried several natural products to control sweating and odor.  Some work better than others.  Most tend to leave me smelling like a wet dog at the end of the day.  Still, I’m committed to finding something that will work.  I’ve read in several forums that many men who have asked themselves the same questions settle upon Old Spice deodorant .  It seems that Old Spice has less chemicals than most.  I’m going to have to check that out.  There are also recipes that you can use to make your own.  You can find some of those recipes here, here , and here . 

You may ask (because you are an inquisitive sort today) why I would worry about this anyway?  I think it’s part of the simple life.  We take it for granted that what we find on the shelf at the store is the best product and it’s safe.  Yet history tells us that what a company pushes on us is probably what is best for the company.  There is also a certain allure to doing it yourself.  Who knew that you could make your own deodorant?  We assume that people of a bygone era simply accepted sweaty, smelly men.  While that may be true, many early writings are preoccupied with a man who at least cleans himself up once a week.  For me, it’s important.  I work in an office.  A man who works in an office is not expected to sweat.  It’s also considered in poor taste to stink within the close confines of a meeting room.  So, since I have no excuse to sweat or stink, I’ll have to figure out what works.  I’ll keep you posted on my experimental findings.  Or you could just drop by the office…they’ll be able to tell you exactly how it’s going.