DD and personal hygiene.

[AvonCallingBarksdale]

DD is 17 and to be blunt, smells 🙁. Her underarm odour is really strong and unpleasant. She showers every day although of course I’m not monitoring how effectively. She has Dove deodorant but again not sure how much she’s using. I washed some of her clothes today and even after drying on the line there’s still a faint smell in some tops.
She is a bit overweight but not significantly (just trying to give an overall pic)
She has a boyfriend and lots of friends but does struggle with anxiety and low mood. I don’t know if anyone’s ever commented.
So:
a) any recommendations for a better deodorant
b) any tips on broaching this with her that won’t end in disaster? She’s usually v unreceptive to any perceived criticism.

thank you.

The best deodorant I've found when I was was super stinky during pregnancy is the sure roll on that comes in a little box. Normally £4-5 bits honestly so good !
Also dettol sell a really great soap in boots which I found is brilliant for getting a good scrub !

Mitcham.
Honestly my GP recommended this years ago when l was a teenager ( I'm in my 60s now) best one ever.
Just literally dries up sweat..

I completely agree. You can speak gently but still be direct. She's basically an adult and having body odour in our society is just not acceptable. Like it or not, she will be unfairly judged for it. I would tell her that you'll work with her to sort a solution. Some of her tops, especially ones made with synthetic fibres may need to be tossed.

In the US we have some antiperspirant deodorants that are marketed as 'clinical strength'. They cost a bit more but really do work.

Some laundry detergent manufacturer are selling deodorizer for fabrics.

I know - it has to be done. I think it may be a combination of poor personal hygiene (which could be symptomatic of her general low mood) and being an overly sweaty person.

You mentioned your daughter is overweight.
This may seem a personal question but has she been checked for polycystic ovaries? That is very common among overweight girls, causes testosterone buildup and excessive sweating so that might be an issue at play?

Had exactly the same problem with Dd when she first went through puberty.

Agree with Mitchum roll on.

Using a flannel and soap.

Using biological washing powder. DD likes Surf Tropical.

I'd also recommend getting her to wash her bedding once a week at 60 and washing her dressing gown, towels, jackets and coats.

This just isnt true. I can smell by the end of the day if Im in a polyester top and its a hot day at work. I shower every day and I use shield.

Mitchum used to be good but they have changed it and it's not now. There was quite a few people saying they'd noticed the same on here recently.

Low mood? Anxiety? smelling? Sounds to me like a hormonal imbalance

False, when I’m having a sweaty phase I can shower in the morning put on clean clothes and still be a smelly sweaty mess by the time I get to work.

Mitchum is good but the best is deodorant you put on before you go to bed.

Mitchum and Sure do their own versions of this (the £5 cream bar things). Then if that doesn’t work you can pull out the big guns, perspirex or driclor.

Deodorant at night so she wakes up fresh.

Sit her down and be honest with her. Tell her her she's got bo and she can't be washing her armpits properly. She needs to scrub there every day then put her spray on straight after. I couldn't pussyfoot around this just tell her.

Bar soap and Sure Maximum Protection deodorant. Wash everything in Ariel bio detergent.

Op i use to have an issue with this myself but I noticed it was more when I wasn't wearing cotton . Some materials and sweat really don't go, so of course all the usual like washing daily and wearing anti perspirant (dove for men is a good one and I even use that now) but to trial only cotton tops and sleevless tops too where possible just to let the skin breathe. It will defo sort itself out.

I will talk to her. Those posters saying not to pussyfoot around, I get it honestly I do. However, she struggles with regulating her emotions. There will be shouting and wailing and lots of “you must hate me if you think I smell” She’s not the easiest of people to have a calm conversation with 🙁

I've suffered with this. Bar soap and men's roll on L'Oréal.

Definitely sounds like a hormonal issue at play.
Does she have facial hair? Or a lot of bodily hair?

@CowboyJoanna , no facial hair and not particularly hairy legs/arms either.