Is 8 Years Old Too Young for Deodorant?

I agree with many of the previous posters, get one without aluminum. I love the Tom's of Maine deodorant in Apricot scent. Another thing to keep in mind is routine baths with a mild soap. So many people go crazy with the strong/deodorant soaps and really mess up their skin. Especially for girls, those soaps than be unpleasant. Adidas makes an aluminum free deo. So do Burts Bees and many other companies.

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J.,
There are all natural deodrants made by Tom's and others. I buy my daughter's at Target, but health food stores have a bigger variety of "natural" deodrants that don't clog the sweat glands, but keeps the odor under control.
I hope this helps.
W.

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Kids are developing quicker than they used to. Most kids I know by the end of 8 are using deoderant. I know several who started at 6. I'd recommend using Arm & Hammer's all natural deoderant stick - dye/perfume free and no aluminum so it won't cause brain damage or trigger alzheimers the way antiperspirants do. Also, it won't stain the way alot of others do. And since it's a stick - no cfc's, ozone, or toxic inhalants like a spray.

Hope that helps!

Hi J.,

No , she is not too young for deoderant. Maybe on the early side, but not by much. 4th or 5th grade seems to be the norm. If you've ever been in a 5th grade classroom, you would know what I mean! My only suggestion would be to try the trial size, they're smaller and fit their underarms better. She can also try a lot of different types since they are small and inexpensive. They do make some "teen" deoderants, but the only real difference I've seen is the packaging. My daughter's 11 and has been using deoderant for at least 2 years. It's good practice for later. I would also get an antiperspirant/deoderant. Stop the sweating - stop the odor. Good luck - make-up isn't far behind! L.

That is about the age where they do start sweating and all.

I gave my daughter the lady speed stick. They have baby blue and pink and looks girly. Works really well and unlike the aerosols, they are safer and can be less conspicuous in the gym dressing room. Since then, Dove has also come out with a stick and that's a fresh scent too.

Eight years seems rather young, but kids seem to develop and mature so fast these days. I think the first thing I'd do would be to call or schedule a visit with the girl's pediatrician, just to rule out any other physical cause. If she's developing normally and there's nothing else wrong, then why not let her use deoderant, especially when she's playing sports. I wouldn't give her adult deoderant, though. I don't think they make deoderants for "children", but they do for adolescents. Adolescents often have stronger body odor than adults, actually, so there are several brands that address teenagers. "Teen Spirit" I think is a good one (I use it myself in the spring/summer, when I garden), and it comes in several different scents. I believe it is by Mennen. But there are others, too, and it might be fun for her to experiment with scents and brands. Good luck!

No...8 yrs old is not too young. My son is 8 & has been using it for about a year. He is very active & I am sure that is what helped trigger it. A "little bit" goes a long way; no need to slap it on her as if she is a teenager or young adult. :) All kids are different. Some tend to "get a little smelly under the arms" sooner than others. Your sister-in-law can purchase her the "teenage" deodorant.

Please buy deodorants withOUT aluminum in them. Tom's is one brand [also found in stores]. Adidas is another, in stores, as well.

www.tomsofmaine.com/products/deodorant.aspx

I agree with everyone- if she is smelly, she needs it. It's hard not to go by our own age milestones, but kids aren't the same now. If you are concerned about the chemicals, there are lots of natural products out there. As far as I know, aluminum is the bad ingredient to watch out for. Any whole foods type store, and even regular stores, have natural products. Tom's of Maine is one I can think of off the top of my head.

No, I started my 6 year old last summer. I use the Teen spirit on her and she's had no problems with it.

if she stinks she needs deodorant! it doesnt matter how old no one wants to be the smelly kid lol. they do have some stuff for teenagers you can tell by looking at them when you go in to the store. let her pick out a scent she likes.

My daughter is 5 1/2 and has been using deodorant for around a year now because of underarm odor. Our doctor recommended that we use the Dove unscented over all the others because the chemicals or whatever they use in it aren't as harsh. From what I understand the underarm odor is getting more and more common for younger girls.

With having two girls of my own, I don't think that she is too young to use the same deodorant as us women do. My kids have been using deodorant since they were about her age.
The best deodorant that would be good for her (from experience) is the "Teen Spirit" by Lady Speed Stick. I think. So they are out there for teens. I hope that this helps you and your Sister in Law out.

My now 8 yr old started getting BO last year after school and dance. Every night after her shower she puts deodorant on and in the summer in the morning also. I found a mild one called "Teen Spirit". It works for her.
Good luck.

It all depends on the kid... my 1st and 3rd totally needed it way early. my 2nd is barly noticable at 14. As far as which kind, to be honest I don't THINK there are any specificly for kids, but the "teen" stuff is pretty good. I swear by degree solids though. When I was younger that was the only stuff that worked well for me (I liked to be outdoors and active ALL the time)

G.

If she is having odor then it needs to be treated with deodorant, she is not too young. Body odor is a sign that children are entering puberty. http://www.bluesuitmom.com/health/pediatrician/deodorant....

There are some safe deodorants out there, non allergenic, fragrance free ones that would do well for her, like this one http://www.tomsofmaine.com/products/deodorant.aspx
Any mild or hypo-allergenic deodorant would work well.

I have 3 sons and they all had to use deodorant by age 10. We started out with sample/travel size to see if it worked. My sons are now 14,18,21. One of them can't use the gel type because it breaks him out, MISERABLE! The other thing is when bathing make sure that she is using a deodorant bar. Another trick is to use shampoo under the arms when bathing. I know if I need to shave and don't the odor from my armpits can be downright horrible. Good Luck

Not too young for deodorant, just make sure it does NOT have aluminum in it.

Not in my opinion. My son is about to turn 9 and I just recently started trying to get him to wear it too....one day he leaned over me and about knocked me over! I figure it's just a fact of life, so he may as well get used to it now...