The effect of body wash on cologne

[xriley]

Does the soap that you wash with effect the colognes you wear? Does it effect the longevity? Any other bad effects to your application of cologne from the soap you use.?

I had recently bought a small 12.5ml bottle of Terre d'Hermes after receiving a sample I liked from Warlandsboy. After a shower and shave I applied the Terre d'Hermes from the 12.5ml bottle, then dressed and headed to the GF's house. During the ride over I noticed that the cologne had started to smell pungent. It maintained that pungency for the rest of the cologne's course.

Thinking that it was the 12.5ml bottle going bad that caused the problem, I showered and applied the Terre d'Hermes from the sample bottle. Back to the Terre d'Hermes I like.

Today I wake up, take a shower, and then apply the Terre d'Hermes from the 12.5ml bottle. No problem, no pungent smell. Just the Terre d'Hermes I liked from the sample.

The only difference is that the day of the pungency from the Terre d'Hermes I had used a grapefruit body wash from C.O. Bigelow. The other days I had used a lemon and sage goat's milk soap. I know that the grapefruit body wash will leave a pleasant grapefruit smell on the skin, evidently this doesn't mix well with Terre d'Hermes.

[Townyj]

Yeah i have had the same thing happen with me... i thought my colognes were going off. My Speick soap has a spicey smell on my skin after a shower, doesnt mix well with my colognes.

[WhosYerBob]

I try not to use any other bath products that leave a lingering scent before I apply cologne - they *can* interact with odious consequences.

[StylinLA]

Some of those body washes laden with scent, and I could see it interfering with the frag.

It sounds like your trial and error sort of proved it.

[xriley]

Some of those body washes laden with scent, and I could see it interfering with the frag.

It sounds like your trial and error sort of proved it.

I guess this proves this case. I'm curious if anyone else has noticed the same effect and what products caused the most severe reaction with scents.

For example, I believe that the grapefruit scent effects the Terre d'Hermes. Do other citrus washes (lemon, lime, orange) cause the same effect with other colognes?

[CaptCrunch]

This will happen when you use any type of body wash that has a scent. They are laced with fragrance and this is what changes your cologne of the day. I personally use a scent free body wash from dove. I even go as far as using an unscented deodorant. However, if your favorite brand doesn't carry an unscented version, your next best bet is to buy one that has a citrus scent. Typically citrus notes fade very quickly, this is why they are most common as top notes in perfumes. After showering if possible, wait 30 minutes to an hour before applying your cologne. That should be an ample amount of time for the body wash's scent to fade. Be wary of cheap body washes as most are full of synthetics and I'm sure would last much longer and react more violently with your fragrance of choice.

[Psicko]

Well, most people hit it on the head. I would like to add something. I usually like using the CO bigalo red cologne. It smells good, and cheap. I'm poor. That company also makes the same body wash and aftershave. If I layer on your scents by using the body wash, aftershave, and cologne it seems to last longer than with just the cologne.

[Deltaboy]

Your correct!