Interestingly, sweat by itself doesn't smell at all. It's the bacteria that live on kid (and adult) skin that get mixed up with the sweat and give it so much fragrance. A deodorant helps stop that odor, while an anti-perspirant helps prevent wetness-stopping the perspiration itself.

It’s not about being the right age. It’s about whether they need it or not. Kids generally need to start using deodorant when they enter puberty. That’s when special hormones start to affect their sweat glands and cause body odor. And the onset of puberty can be around eight years old or earlier, depending on your kid.

Sweat acts as a cooling system for the body, so the more active your child is, the more sweat you’ll see. In rare instances excessive sweating in children can be a problem, so if you’re really concerned it’s probably best to talk to your pediatrician. But, in general, it just means that your child is active, healthy and probably closing in on puberty. It’s also a sign that it might be time for them to start using deodorant or antiperspirant.

Consider yourself lucky, many kids have to be prodded to keep up the minimum of body maintenance. Letting your child use deodorant and other products, may provide them with confidence-building practice and opens the door for you to talk about other exciting changes that are right around the corner.

Tweens are busy, and their over-active body changes combined with their busy schedules can lead to them overlooking the obvious. Since it’s not a pit problem, zero in on the location of the offensive odor. Remind your child to use soap and shampoo in the shower, every time. Make sure they’re changing their socks, every day. Sprinkling powder or letting them air out their sneakers helps combat odor that’s underfoot.

It is possible that your tween actually thinks his (or her) sweat don’t stink. Perhaps you should expose your sweaty sweetie to some other funky smells: a locker room, fancy cheese shop or a farm. While some people have a penchant for particular scents that other people can’t stand, explain to your tween that body odor has been proven offensive to 100% of the population.

Cue the eye roll. And the foot stomp. You may even get a door slam. Pushing your kid to clean up his or her act can occasionally cause conflict. It boils down to a control issue. Some tweens get emotional when they’re trying to stake out a piece of independence. Outfit them with knowledge and tools (aka – the right deodorant) and then step away. By giving them options and space, you’re helping them learn to savor the sweet smell of self-reliance.

Ah, selective memory – frenemy of parents the world over. The real question should be, what’s NOT stressful about being a tween? When you’re approaching puberty like a bullet train and attempting to navigate the cruel halls of Middle School, little things like getting picked last for the team or having food stuck between your teeth really can feel like the end of the world. Your kid may not have the coping skills to deal with every day embarrassments. Make sure they’re covered with a good deodorant to build their confidence.

At room temperature, these products remain fresh and good-to-go for at least two years. It’s not recommended that products be stored in an area with high temperatures exceeding 120 degrees or hidden underneath your child’s bed.

These products are sold in drug stores, mass retailers, club outlets and supermarkets all over the country. Occasionally, shelf space and demand limit the number of items a retailer is willing to carry. So you may not find that every store carries every product. Don’t forget to print out the coupon on this site before you shop.

The many requests for products spurred the current movement to sponsor worthy programs. The ability to distribute to so many qualified agencies is, quite literally, a breath of fresh air. Keep an eye out for our participation and sponsorship of national organizations and PTA programs in your community.

Products labeled hypoallergenic are designed to be gentle and non-irritating to sensitive skin (skin that may develop a reaction to ingredients in skin care products).

Yes. When used as directed, these products are very safe. Some sensitive individuals may experience skin irritation. If irritation develops, discontinue use and try a fragrance-free hypoallergenic formula like Dove_® Ultimate Sensitive Care.

No. This is an unfounded rumor that has circulated on the Internet for years even though it is not backed by any credible scientific evidence. In fact, according to the American Cancer Society an extensive scientific study reported in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, found no link between breast cancer and using deodorant or anti-perspirant.

No. According to the Alzheimer's Association, there is no conclusive evidence that exposure to aluminum causes Alzheimer's disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institute of Health (NIH) also share this conviction.

The urban myth that aluminum can lead to Alzheimer's dates back to the 1960s when a study found high concentrations of aluminum in the brains of some Alzheimer patients. However, scientists have never been able to replicate the results of that study despite many attempts.