Men are always looking for new ways to appear more masculine. Whether that means hitting the gym and packing on muscle or growing a beard, when something has the potential to make a man manlier, we seem to be right on it. However, one recent study implies that a simple part of your grooming routine can make you appear masculine quite easy. The product in question is a regular deodorant.
So, let’s see how a deodorant makes you appear more masculine.
Body Odor and Our Perceptions
It’s nothing new that someone’s body odor can affect the way people perceive them. Many studies found that the way we smell can affect the way people perceive our personality traits. For example, one study published in the Frontiers in Psychology journal found that the use of cosmetics can influence your attractiveness and make a stronger first impression.
Another study explored the other side of this coin and found that bad BO can cause feelings of pity in people around us.
How a Deodorant Makes You Appear More Masculine
A 2016 study by the University of Sterling, Scotland found that artificial fragrances can affect our perceptions of masculinity and femininity. The scientists asked the participants to rate the masculinity and femininity of individuals based on their photographs. They then asked them to perform the same task based on odor samples.
The men who were rated as less masculine were also the ones whose odor sample didn’t contain deodorant.
The Bottom Line
Now that you know that wearing a deodorant makes you appear more masculine, you can add this to the long list of reasons why you should care about personal hygiene.
