Stress Sweat Affects People’s Perceptions Of Women

Stress-related sweat – “the worst smelling of the three causes of sweat” – can influence how others perceive a woman, according to a study from deodorant maker P&G Beauty. While exercise sweat and heat sweat come only from the eccrine gland, stress-related (or emotional) sweat is produced by the eccrine gland and the apocrine gland. The result is “a distinguishably foul odor”. Both men and women evaluators said female participants in the study who endured the Trier Social Stress Test – and used Secret Clinical Strength antiperspirant – appeared more confident, trustworthy and competent than those whose stress sweat was untreated. The Secret brand launched a "Stress Stinks" marketing campaign this year to reach women worried about stress-induced sweat.