There comes a point during puberty when something unexpected happens.

Suddenly, your young person's favourite hoodie smells suspicious. Their trainers have developed a personality of their own. And somehow, they can come home from school smelling like they've run a marathon.

Welcome to teenage body odour.

While it might feel like an awkward topic, body odour is a completely normal part of growing up. Understanding why it happens - and knowing how to manage it - can make the whole experience a lot less embarrassing.

Why does body odour happen during puberty?

Sweat itself doesn't actually smell.

The interesting part happens when sweat comes into contact with bacteria living naturally on your skin.

During puberty, hormonal changes activate the apocrine sweat glands, particularly around areas such as the armpits. These glands produce a type of sweat that contains proteins and other compounds.

When bacteria on the skin break these compounds down, they produce the smells we recognise as body odour.

So if body odour suddenly becomes a thing during puberty, it isn't because someone has stopped washing properly.

It's biology.

Why do teenagers suddenly smell different?

Before puberty, children generally don't experience the same level of body odour because their apocrine glands aren't fully active.

As puberty begins, hormones stimulate these glands.

That's why a young person who never needed deodorant before might suddenly need it every day.

Other factors can also influence body odour, including:

• Exercise and physical activity
• Hot weather
• Stress
• Hormonal changes
• Clothing that traps sweat
• Bacteria on the skin
• Diet and individual body chemistry

Everyone is different, so there's no single "normal" amount of body odour.

Is teenage body odour caused by poor hygiene?

Not necessarily.

Good hygiene can certainly help manage body odour, but having body odour doesn't mean someone is dirty.

In fact, even someone who showers every day can still experience body odour.

The goal isn't to eliminate every trace of sweat. Sweating is a normal and important function that helps regulate body temperature.

The goal is simply to manage the odour that can develop when sweat interacts with bacteria.

How to manage teenage body odour

The good news is that managing body odour doesn't have to be complicated.

A few simple habits can make a big difference.

1. Shower regularly

A daily shower can help remove sweat, oil and bacteria from the skin.

Pay particular attention to areas where sweat tends to collect, including the armpits, feet and groin.

There's no need to aggressively scrub the skin. A gentle cleanser (such as our microsilver WASH bar) and thorough rinse are usually enough.

2. Wash after exercise

If your young person plays sport, exercises or gets particularly sweaty during the day, showering afterwards can help remove sweat and bacteria from the skin.

If a shower isn't possible immediately, changing out of sweaty clothing is a good alternative until they can wash.

3. Wear clean clothes

Sweat and bacteria can remain in clothing even after the body has been washed.

Fresh clothes - particularly underwear, socks and shirts - can help keep body odour under control.

And yes, this includes that hoodie they've worn approximately seventeen days in a row.

4. Don't forget the feet

Body odour isn't just about armpits.

Feet have a high concentration of sweat glands, which means they can become a particularly good environment for odour-causing bacteria.

Washing feet regularly, drying them thoroughly and changing socks regularly can help.

Deodorant vs antiperspirant: What's the difference?

These two products are often confused, but they work differently.

Deodorant is designed primarily to help manage body odour.

It may contain ingredients that help reduce odour or alter the environment in which odour-causing bacteria thrive.

Antiperspirant, on the other hand, is designed to reduce sweating. It typically uses aluminium-based active ingredients to temporarily block sweat ducts.

Neither is automatically "better". They simply perform different jobs.

For young people who are mainly concerned about body odour rather than excessive sweating, a deodorant may be all they need.

What should you look for in a teenage deodorant?

Young skin deserves some consideration when choosing personal-care products.

A deodorant used every day should feel comfortable on the skin rather than leaving it irritated, itchy or uncomfortable.

Some young people may also be sensitive to certain common deodorant ingredients.

At Nubar, we believe deodorant doesn't need to be complicated.

Our approach is to create straightforward products designed with young people's skin in mind - without unnecessary ingredients simply for the sake of adding more to the formula.

What about natural deodorant?

The term "natural deodorant" can mean different things depending on the product, so it's worth looking beyond the marketing language.

Some natural deodorants rely heavily on baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to help control odour.

While baking soda works well for some people, it can be irritating for others, particularly when used regularly on sensitive underarm skin.

The most important thing is to find a deodorant that works for the individual and that their skin tolerates comfortably.

Can deodorant stop sweating?

No - and it isn't supposed to.

Sweating is normal.

Your body sweats to help regulate its temperature, especially during exercise, hot weather or stressful situations.

A deodorant is primarily about managing odour, not stopping the body's natural ability to sweat.

If your young person experiences unusually heavy sweating that interferes with everyday life, it's worth speaking to a healthcare professional.

When should body odour be a concern?

Most body odour during puberty is completely normal.

However, if there's a sudden, unusual or very strong change in body odour, particularly when accompanied by other symptoms, it's worth discussing with a healthcare professional.

It's also worth getting advice if excessive sweating is interfering with school, sport, sleep or everyday activities.

The confidence conversation

Body odour can be an embarrassing subject for young people.

That's why how we talk about it matters.

Instead of saying:

"You smell."

Try:

"Your body is changing, and that means you might need to start using deodorant."

It turns an embarrassing moment into a normal part of growing up.

Puberty brings a lot of changes - new smells, hair, skin changes, emotions and hormones.

None of it means something is wrong.

Their body is simply growing and changing.

Nubar DEO: Simple deodorant for growing humans

At Nubar, we don't believe young people need complicated personal-care routines.

They need products that are simple, effective and kind to their skin.

Nubar DEO is designed to help manage everyday body odour while keeping things straightforward.

No aluminium.
No alcohol.
No bicarbonate.

Just simple, everyday deodorant care for growing humans.

Because puberty is awkward enough.

Your deodorant doesn't need to be.

Real skin. Real growing. Real life.