History records date back to over five and a half thousand years ago and it is clear that almost all key civilisations have made efforts to produce different forms of deodorants and scented products.

From early Egyptian times, body odour was kept at bay using a highly scented bath and further application of richly perfumed oils as a deodorant, using a special citrus and cinnamon oil preparation as both scents stay fresh in heat.

Further experimentation led early Egyptians to discover that by removing underarm hair, body odour actually diminished. Years later, scientists were to uncover that the reason for this is that a strand of hair is an extra surface area where bacteria can live, populate, then die, whereupon they decompose, leaving the smell of body odour.

The Romans and the Greeks based their deodorant products on the Egyptian principles. The regular washing and applying of perfume or oil was the only form of effective combat of body odour.
Now we know that there are two particular glands that produce body odour. The apocrine gland is a gland in the skin that exists all over your body at birth and is what gives babies their distinctive smell. As we proceed into adulthood these glands gradually disappear, but remain in certain areas.

The other type of gland responsible for body odour is the eccrine gland. It is responsible for producing most of the body’s sweat as a cooling system in extreme heat and will also respond to spicy foods, stress, fear and nervousness. It can affect the feet and palms of the hands too.

Now there are such varieties of deodorants, body wash gels and scented body moisturisers on the market, the choice is nearly endless. Some notable designer brands produce gift sets that contain these products, including Carolina Herrera, Benetton, Calvin Klein, Elizabeth Arden, Estee Lauder, Burberry, Ted Baker, Hugo Boss and Dolce & Gabbana.