In our modern world, we might equate being odor-free to being clean, but for most of human recorded history, the quest to “smell good” has been both fascinating and at times, rather bizarre. Nowadays, if you’re worried about body odor, you can simply head to the store and choose from a variety of products designed to keep you smelling fresh. But for most of history, people didn’t have that luxury—they had to improvise.
While humans have always dealt with body odor, what we consider “clean” has changed dramatically over the centuries. To understand body odor, you have to start with sweat, which, on its own, is usually odorless. The real culprits are the bacteria on our skin that likes to feast on the compounds in our sweat, particularly in areas like our armpits, (eccrine glands, all over the body, and apocrine glands, found mostly in the armpit and genital areas). As these bacteria break down the sweat, they release smelly molecules that we recognize as body odor.
In ancient times, people didn’t understand the science behind sweat and smell, so they turned to what they knew best—covering up unpleasant odors with more pleasant scents. From cardamom, perfume baths, to ostrich eggs, and even breath mints, people have always found creative ways to combat body odor. Although we now have modern deodorants to do the job, these early efforts and methods remind us that the desire to smell good is as old as humanity itself.
01
Powdered Spices and Herbs
The ancient Egyptians, in particular, were known for their clever use of ostrich eggs as deodorant. They would crush the ostrich eggs into a fine powder and then blend the eggs with natural ingredients like nuts, gallnuts, and tamarisk, tortoise shell, along with fat to form a thick paste. This paste didn’t have a strong smell of its own, but it helped masked their body funk when applied to the skin.
This practice was part of a broader effort to maintain good hygiene and avoid unpleasant smells. By using such mixtures, people were able to feel fresher and more comfortable, even in hot climates where sweating was common.
02.
Porridge Balls, Ancient Egypt’s Creative Deodorant Solution
Before the invention of roll-on deodorant, people had to get creative with how they stayed fresh, especially in the heat of ancient Egypt. One of their more unique solutions was to flavor porridge with incense and roll it into balls, which they then tucked under their armpits, directly targeting the body’s most active sweat glands. These porridge balls would slowly release fragrance as they mixed with sweat, acting as an early form of deodorant.
Fragrances were also commonly worn as thick pastes or oil-based salves on the head, neck, and wrists. These mixtures, made from aromatic plants like cardamom, myrrh, lemon grass, cinnamon, and rose, served as both personal scent and social statement.
03.
Aromatic Oils
Long before deodorants lined store shelves, people turned to the power of nature to stay fresh. In ancient Egypt, aromatic oils made from spices, citrus, and other fragrant substances were a daily essential. Egyptians would generously apply these oils, especially under their arms, to keep unpleasant odors at bay. Scents like cinnamon, cedar, and myrrh were popular not only for their pleasant aroma but also for their potential antibacterial properties.
Olive oil was another popular base for perfumes, especially in ancient Greece and Rome. Olives were so cherished that they found their way into personal care routines. Perfume makers would steep leaves, roots, and flowers in olive oil, allowing the rich, natural scents to infuse before applying the fragrant oil to their skin. This ancient practice highlights how people have long sought to connect with nature in their quest to smell pleasant and feel clean.
04.
Scented Baths and Washing Regularly
Another effective method people used to stay fresh and smell nice is known as a “perfume bath.” This involved adding perfume or scented oils to their bathwater, and when people bathed, their skin would absorb the pleasant fragrance.
This practice was inspired by the Egyptians, who were also known for their use of perfumes and fragrant baths, and especially popular among wealthy people in ancient societies among the Greeks. They would take these scented baths daily to stay fresh and after bathing, they would still apply perfume to their armpits or other parts of their body. However, this habit changed over time, especially in the Middle Ages when bathing became less common due to different cultural beliefs about cleanliness.
05.
Ambergris
Ambergris is a substance that has been used in perfumes for centuries. It comes from sperm whales, where it forms in their intestines and is often found floating in tropical seas. Although it starts out smelling unpleasant, like manure, it changes over time. After being exposed to the ocean and aging, ambergris develops a sweet and musky scent.
People have used ambergris in perfumes because of its unique smell. It was prized for adding depth and richness to fragrances. However, because of how rare and difficult it is to get, it has mostly been replaced by synthetic ingredients in modern perfumes.
Today, you might still find ambergris in some high-end perfumes. Despite its origins and the changes in how perfumes are made, ambergris remains an important part of fragrance history.
06.
Musk
Musk comes from a small gland found in a male musk deer. This gland produces a strong-smelling substance, which is actually quite unpleasant when fresh. However, when this substance is dried and processed, it has a unique aroma and sweet smell that many people find pleasant.
In the Middle Ages, musk became a popular ingredient in perfumes. People valued it for its strong, earthy scent that lingered on the skin. Musk was used in many different kinds of perfumes to make them smell better and last longer. Because of its popularity, musk deer were hunted a lot, which led to their numbers dropping.
Today, using real musk from deer is rare because it posed harm to the animals. Instead, modern perfumes use synthetic musk, which is a man-made substitute that mimics the natural earthy scent. This change helps protect musk deer and still lets people enjoy the distinctive musky scent in their perfumes.
07.
Incense and Smoke Baths
In the past, people relied on the fragrant power of incense and smoke baths to stay fresh. Made from resins and woods like sandalwood, frankincense, cinnamon, patchouli, musk, and myrrh. incense also played a vital role in religious rituals and social gatherings in ancient Egypt and Greece. For centuries, people around the world have continued to use incense for both spiritual practices and counter body pong.
Egyptians even crafted jewelry that held scented materials, a tradition still alive in parts of northern Africa today. Imagine the ancient Egyptians, their hieroglyphics showing men and women adorned with small cones atop their wigs—cones believed to be made of perfumed wax and animal fats, slowly melting and releasing sweet aromas throughout the day.
