Why Chinese people don't need deodorant – The China Project (2024)

FAQs

Why Chinese people don't need deodorant – The China Project? ›

Scientists in recent years have shown that many East Asians, a group that includes China's ethnic Han majority, have a gene that lowers the likelihood of a strong “human axillary odor” — scientist-speak for body stink.

Indeed, Chinese health websites have long promoted the benefits of sweating, ranging from a boost in immunity to memory enhancement to skin rejuvenation. To many Chinese, perspiration is a natural part of metabolism that should not be blocked. There's another reason few Chinese consumers buy deodorant: basic biology.

Name-brand shampoo and hair products are available in China, but bring any toiletries you are accustomed to using such as deodorant, face wash and lotion, tampons, hand sanitizer, toothbrushes, toothpaste, “specialty” hair products, and mouthwash.

While only 2 percent of Europeans lack the genes for smelly armpits, most East Asians and almost all Koreans lack this gene, Day told LiveScience.

Many factors--including genetic makeup, temperature, and social norms--contribute to whether people in different cultures choose to use deodorant. While deodorant is available around the world, it's more commonly used in some places than others.

Deodorant. Most Koreans lack the gene that gives sweat that classic BO scent, so deodorant is not very popular. It's hard to find here, and if you do find it, it won't be as good as what we use in America.

The fragrance industry in China is on the upswing as younger consumers embrace scents for self-expression and comfort. In 2020, during her sophom*ore year at university, Zhang Qijing was so captivated by the sweet scent of osmanthus blossoms wafting across campus that she went out and purchased her first perfume.

Spray, Gel, Liquid, Cream, Pastes, and Roll-On deodorants need to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces and placed in a clear quart-sized baggie.

Liquid, aerosol, and gel will only be allowed in cabin baggage if they are kept in containers with volumes of no more than 100 ml each. These containers must be carried in a transparent, zippered plastic bag. The bag's total volume must not exceed 1 liter. Each passenger is allowed to carry only one such plastic bag.

Which race has the strongest body odor? ›

Although there is some controversy on the subject of "racial" variation in body odor, it is determined that African blacks probably produce the greatest amount of apocrine sweat, which is the known substrate for axillary odor.

Studies have shown that body odor is strongly connected with attraction in heterosexual females. The women in one study ranked body odor as more important for attraction than "looks". Humans may not simply depend on visual and verbal senses to be attracted to a possible partner/mate.

“If you stop wearing deodorant or antiperspirant, you can develop a stronger odor over time,” Doyle said. “When you stop using (such products) and sweat more, this creates a breeding ground for bacterial and fungal overgrowth, which can cause odor to become stronger.”

Orthodox Jews are forbidden from doing anything that's considered work – even using a deodorant. And that makes Sabbath prayers in packed synagogues a very smelly affair. What they needed was a powerful deodorant – one with advanced 48-hour protection. But Gillette wasn't even considered by the Orthodox community.

The Amish have various hygiene practices, just like regular Americans. They take showers, although the frequency may vary among different Amish orders. Conservative Amish don't use deodorant, talc, or lotion. They simply wash, dry, and put on clean clothing.

According to studies, Asians should not worry about whether or not they put deodorant after a shower, or before leaving the house. This is due to their special condition. It's all about the "smell" gene. No one is born with armpits that have an unpleasant odor.

Therefore, they don't need deodorant as much as Westerners. As a result, Japanese people either don't wear deodorant or use a light spray instead of a stick, meaning no stick deodorant in normal grocery stores.