💨 Why Perfume & Deodorant Became Popular: From Louis XIV to Modern Life

It’s easy to take our daily hygiene habits for granted—but there was a time when perfume wasn't just about smelling nice. It was about survival. Social survival. And no story explains that better than King Louis XIV of France. 👑 The Sun King and His 3 Baths Louis XIV lived from 1638 to 1715 and is said to have bathed only three times in his life. He believed—like many at the time—that water spread disease, so bathing was avoided. But he was still a king, surrounded by courtiers, ambassadors, and lovers. What to do? Perfume. Lots of it. Louis had a new custom-made scent created weekly, bowls of flower petals placed throughout Versailles, and even fountains and furniture sprayed with perfume. It masked the odors of unwashed bodies and created an illusion of refinement. 🧴 From Royal Courts to Deodorant Aisles As science evolved and people learned that bathing prevented illness rather than caused it, hygiene habits shifted. But by then, the love for scents had stuck—and perfume became a cultural symbol of elegance, seduction, and personal care. Fast forward to today, and for some people, deodorant is less a fashion statement and more a social necessity—especially for those who still share Louis XIV’s... bathing philosophy. #PerfumeHistory #LouisXIV #HygieneFacts #FragranceCulture #FunHistory #WeirdButTrue #DeodorantDiaries #VersaillesSecrets #BathingMyths #ScentAndSociety