Whether you’re heading to an important meeting, a catch-up with friends and family, or you just want to look and smell your best for a special occasion, it’s essential that you have good hygiene. And while many men think that spending money on expensive (and sometimes overbearing) colognes is the only way to smell great, this isn’t always the case. Sure, you can spray on some cologne and bargain basement body spray, but have you ever stopped to think about the chemicals and harsh ingredients in these products?
Let’s be honest: we all want to smell good naturally. The good news is that there are natural and proven methods to ensure your body smells its best.
Read on to learn how men can freshen up their bodies and smell like a boss.
Shower Daily
Taking a shower every day is one of the leading ways to stay fresh and clean — since dirt, sweat, and odour-causing bacteria can build up quickly. In fact, daily showers can do wonders for men’s personal hygiene, and many people don’t realise how much it can improve not just their smell but their overall health.
While daily showers are a great start, it’s just as important to be mindful of what products you’re using. Investing in a high-quality, natural men’s face and body cleanser, as well as a natural shampoo and conditioner, will help ensure your odour stays under control and your manliness is at its peak performance.
Eat Antioxidant-Rich Foods
Eating healthy is important for a variety of reasons, and now you can add smelling great to that list. Men, in particular, can benefit from eating healthy, whole foods that are rich in antioxidants to keep the body clean and fresh from the inside out.
Foods like berries, nuts, seeds, dark leafy greens, and citrus fruits contain powerful antioxidants like flavonoids and carotenoids that neutralise free radicals in the body. In turn, this helps to protect against cell damage (and embarrassing body odour).
For those guys who aren’t sure how to get started with upping their antioxidant intake, try adding a colourful fruit salad or smoothie into your breakfast routine or opting for veggie-packed sandwiches at lunchtime. Remember, the more colour on your plate, the better.
Wear Natural Fabrics
The days of donning stiff, synthetic fabrics are gone, and now is the time to switch over to natural materials like cotton, linen, and wool. These materials allow your skin to breathe naturally, which helps you stay and minimises sweat-related odours.
By avoiding synthetic materials like polyester and nylon, not only will you smell better but you’ll also experience a comfortable fit and an improved look. Additionally, natural fibres tend to be more durable than synthetic materials, meaning you will be able to get more wear out of them before having to replace them.
Use Essential Oils
Essential oils are derived from plants and herbs, which make them an all-natural solution that is free from harsh chemicals often found in store-bought colognes. They can also be used as stress relievers due to the calming effect that some scents have on the mind and body.
As the perfect tools in a men’s self-care toolkit, essential oils provide natural ingredients which uplift and enliven the senses without being overpowering or artificial smelling. These oils can be mixed together to create custom scents that are unique to you, which allows you to tailor your scent profile according to your taste and preferences. In addition, because essential oils are derived from natural sources, they are generally less expensive than store-bought colognes.
Try blending different scents like lavender, tea tree, and eucalyptus for a unique fragrance. You can add them to your bath water, apply them directly to your skin, or use a diffuser.
Use Shampoos and Moisturisers with Natural Ingredients
The key benefit of using shampoos and moisturizers with natural ingredients is that they are free of potentially toxic chemicals such as parabens, phthalates, sulphates, and artificial fragrances. These chemicals can cause skin irritation or even hormone disruption if used in excess.
Alternatively, using natural grooming products is a proven way to stay smelling fresh and clean without having to rely on the harsh, artificial fragrances contained in many men’s grooming products.
There are a host of natural ingredients that can be used to make soothing and invigorating aromas that leave you looking, feeling, and smelling on top of your game. Plus, these natural ingredients offer both haircare and skincare benefits such as minimising the potential for irritation or dryness (especially if you’re someone who suffers from sensitive skin).
Look for natural ingredients such as Lemon Myrtle and Sweet Orange, which are mild, subtly sweet, clean, sharp, and refreshing. Or, if you’re looking for warm, earthy, peppery, or vanilla-link aromas, you can opt for hair care products that contain natural ingredients like Patchouli and Cinnamon.
To help you look and smell even better, try adding natural deodorants for men to your routine. These products contain ingredients like Spearmint, Lavender and Eucalyptus that are cool, invigorating, and refreshing. Plus, they can help absorb sweat without relying on aluminium-based compounds found in conventional brands.
Drink Plenty of Water
It's a scientific fact that proper hydration is necessary for optimal human functioning, and good hygiene is a major component of health. But did you know that staying well-hydrated can have an impact on your scent as well?
Water helps flush bacteria from the body, reducing odour-forming bacteria and keeping skin clear and clean. It also helps create sweat that is less concentrated with impurities, leading to less odorous perspiration and potentially fresher bodily aromas.
According to science, a good general rule of thumb is to aim for at least eight 8-ounce glasses a day, which equates to approximately two litres of water. This goes a long way toward flushing your body of the toxins that cause body odour.
So, there you have it. By following these simple and proven steps, you can enjoy the confidence of skin that smells amazing — without the cologne. Best of all, your body (and those around you) will thank you for it!
Here at VITAMAN, we’re passionate about creating the best smelling men’s grooming products. We use natural plants and botanicals sourced from the Australian landscape that are gentle on your skin and perfect for an active lifestyle. Best of all, they’ll leave smelling masculine and fresh all day!