Deodorant and Children: When to expect body odor

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Discover when children start needing deodorant (ages 4-14), signs of body odor in kids, and the best safe, natural deodorants for children. Plus tips for talking to your child about this normal milestone.

Child putting on deodorant

Discovering your child needs deodorant can catch parents off guard. While many assume body odor is a teenage concern, some children develop body odor as young as 4-5 years old. Understanding when kids start to smell, what causes childhood body odor, and how to choose safe deodorant for children will help you navigate this normal developmental milestone with confidence.

One of my most distinct memories of third grade is that of my teacher pulling a boy aside and telling him it was time he started to wear deodorant. She then told us all that many of us would need to start using it during the school year. This is burned into my memory. I don’t remember what age I actually started to need it, but I remember this so vividly that I have regularly been doing “sniff” tests on Brayden this year (his third grade year) so I wouldn’t miss it when he needed it (being in third grade and all).

When McKenna was almost five years old, she had a friend over. When they came up to me, oh boy what a smell! I assumed it was the boy. Nope. Once he was gone, the smell lingered. I realized it was McKenna! I had been watching my oldest child (9 years old at the time) for signs of needing deodorant and my third needed it first!

At the time, McKenna did not shower every day because of her eczema. We did every other day. But at this time, we were doing about every 3 days because this was the time when my ligaments in my foot were torn and I couldn’t move much. I couldn’t wash her, so my husband was having to do it in the evenings before bed. 

I was naturally quite concerned about a 4 (almost 5) year old needing deodorant! I did a bunch of research. 

Why Do Children Get Body Odor

Body odor occurs when bacteria on the skin break down sweat from apocrine glands. Young children primarily have eccrine sweat glands, which produce odorless sweat. As children approach puberty, apocrine glands become more active, particularly in the armpits and groin area. The bacteria that feed on this sweat produce the characteristic body odor smell. Factors that can influence when body odor appears include genetics, diet, activity level, and hormonal changes.

What Age Do Kids Start to Smell?

It turns out McKenna was in the range of normal for young children to need deodorant. People vary–adults vary in how much the sweat and how much it smells, and kids are no different. As the child starts to mature and get more hormones then that sweat is the kind the bacteria wants to go after. The result is smelliness. 

Sometimes this can be a sign of early puberty, but it needs to be in conjunction with other signs like pubic hair growth and breast tissue growth. We talked with McKenna’s doctor, and she didn’t have any of those signs going on, so we didn’t have concern over early puberty.

Most children do start to have body odor around 8-14 years old. Girls usually start younger than boys do.

Signs Your Child Needs Deodorant

Here are some signs your child might need deodorant:

  • Noticeable odor after physical activity
  • Smell that persists even after bathing
  • Your child mentions classmates commenting on smell
  • Odor is present in the morning before the day begins
  • Clothing or bedding develops lingering odors
Graphic showing the 5 signs need deodorant

How to Talk to Your Child About Body Odor

Some kids bring it up to you, but many will not notice. Having the deodorant conversation doesn’t need to be awkward. Approach it matter-of-factly as another part of growing up, like brushing teeth. You might say, ‘I noticed your body is changing and developing grown-up smells. That means it’s time to start using deodorant, just like adults do.’ Make it a positive milestone rather than something embarrassing.

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What To Do When Your Child Needs Deodorant

With my daughter, I started having her shower more frequently, and that helped significantly. If your child starts to have body odor but you don’t want to use deodorant, showering more often can help.

Around the same time, Brayden said he noticed he was starting to smell. So we upped his showering.

I asked you readers on Facebook about what deodorants you recommend for kids, and this is what you said:

Good Natural/Aluminum-Free Deodorant

Good options to consider include:

As you are looking at options, look for:

  • Aluminum-free formulas
  • Paraben-free
  • Fragrance-free or lightly scented
  • Deodorant (not antiperspirant) for children
  • Hypoallergenic options for sensitive skin

Here is the interesting thing. As the weather got hotter, both kids started to not really smell anymore. Isn’t that weird? They used deodorant for about a month, and then we just fazed it out because the smell went away. I learned that is normal with seasonal changes.

Natural DIY Deodorant Recipe

Here is a recipe you can try to see if it works for your kiddo if you prefer to make your own deodorant.

Simple Coconut Oil Deodorant:

  • 3 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 2 tablespoons baking soda
  • 2 tablespoons arrowroot powder
  • Optional: 5-10 drops essential oil (lavender or tea tree)

Mix ingredients and store in a small container. Apply a small amount to the underarms.

Teach Kids How to Apply Deodorant Properly

Kids don’t just automatically know how to do things. We need to teach them, even if it feels really obvious and intuitive to us.

  • Apply to clean, dry skin
  • Use after morning shower for best results (if your child showers at night, apply then and consider reapplying in the morning)
  • Start with a small amount
  • Wait for it to dry before getting dressed (or teach them how to put it on after getting dressed)
  • Reapply after sports or heavy activity if needed

When to See a Doctor

While body odor in children is usually normal, consult your pediatrician if:

  • Body odor appears before age 4
  • You notice other signs of early puberty (breast development, pubic hair, rapid growth)
  • The odor is unusually strong or foul-smelling
  • Your child has other symptoms like excessive sweating, mood changes, or physical changes
  • Home remedies and deodorants don’t help

If none of these are present, just let your child’s doctor know at your next well-child visit. I always like to tell the doctor when milestones like this have happened so we have a record if anything comes up and this small piece of information is helpful in solving it.

Deodorant FAQs

Q: At what age should a child start wearing deodorant? A: Most children start needing deodorant between ages 8-14, though some may need it as early as 4-5 years old. Watch for signs of body odor rather than going by age alone.

Q: Is it safe for young children to use deodorant? A: Yes, when you choose age-appropriate, natural formulas without aluminum or harsh chemicals. Stick to deodorants (not antiperspirants) for young children.

Q: Can diet affect body odor in children? A: Yes, certain foods like garlic, onions, and spicy foods can intensify body odor. A balanced diet with plenty of water can help minimize odor.

Q: How often should kids apply deodorant? A: Once daily after bathing is usually sufficient. Active children may need to reapply after sports or heavy play.

Q: What’s the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant? A: Deodorant masks odor, while antiperspirant blocks sweat glands. For children, deodorant is the better choice as it allows natural sweating while controlling smell.

Q: My child’s body odor goes away sometimes – is that normal? A: Yes! Hormonal fluctuations, seasonal changes, and activity levels can all affect body odor. It’s normal for it to come and go, especially in younger children.

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This post first appeared on this blog in May of 2014