Why Is Axe Body Spray Hated?

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Every teenager and adult man may have already encountered Axe at least once in their lives.

Whether they heard it in a TV commercial, radio, or on social media, it’s a scent that you will easily recognize.

According to some, it’s not that bad, but why does everyone hate Axe body spray?

In fact, there are several Reddit threads on the brand, which often make one wonder about the cause behind hatred. And that’s what we intend to enshroud in this article.

• Is it the fact that there’s a stigma attached to it?
• Could it be because of the way the product was advertised to reach its intended audience?
• Is it because some people think it’s immature to use it?

Why Is Axe Body Spray Hated?

How did the hatred begin? Let’s flashback a little:

Axe body spray was first launched in France in the year 1983 by Unilever under three original scents: Spice, Amber, and Musk. Over time, Axe has launched a lot of variances for its fragrances.

Whether it’s for aftershave lotion, deodorants, or shower gels, there’s no doubt that Axe has been known in the market for quite some time.

Axe’s Marketing Strategies

Its marketing strategies drew a lot of attention because it centered more on promiscuity and similar tactics.

Since the 1990s, Axe has been marketed as a product that will help men attract women.

In the year 2003, an Axe advertisement in the UK showed how young nerd men were given the confidence to dance with a woman with just a few sprays of Axe body spray.

Another advertisement showed how women become obsessed with men because of the smell. Since then, the stigma attached to Axe has been the same.

I personally don’t believe that a body spray will do any of those things. So many brands often just ride whatever it is that is driving youths to sell their products. Not surprised a lot of people feel the same.

The Advertisement that Shaped the Brand

To some young men who are drawn to the advertisement that Axe did, carrying the very distinct smell differentiates them from other men of their age.

According to them, it is the most convenient way to smell good. You’ll find Axe in all grocery stores, convenience stores, or even drugstores.

They come in different smells and sizes but even in the vast variations that they come, people think of them differently.

In 2006, Axe was able to sell $71 million worth of products. Their marketing strategy is working. So…

Why Does Everyone Hate Axe Body Spray?

But why is it stigmatized?

According to some, the smell is so strong that they can smell someone wearing an Axe spray from a mile away. It has gained the reputation of a deodorant that’s so strong, you can sneeze because of it.

For almost 20 years now, it is still associated with middle school. There was a time when their target audiences were 15 to 18-year-old men who were just coming into adulthood.

According to a sociologist at the University of Pittsburg, using Axe is the easiest possible way to truly become a man.

Their tagline “Spray more, get more”, showed how immature their marketing technique is.

Their marketing strategy worked but some people are now realizing the deeper and darker meaning of their marketing technique. It’s as if the easiest way to seduce girls and prove that they are already a man.

For whatever personal reason, Axe has delivered its message very clearly. It’s now the buyer’s discretion on how to interpret their message.

Is Axe Body Spray Bad for You?

I wouldn’t say that Axe body spray is bad for you per se. However, there are a couple of things you may want to know before using it.

Axe body spray, like many other scented products, contains “fragrance” or “parfum” on its ingredients list. This is a catch-all term that can encompass hundreds of different chemicals.

You should confirm you are not sensitive to these fragrance mixtures, otherwise, you may experience skin irritations or allergic reactions.

It also contains alcohol, which can be drying to the skin. And because it contains propellants, you should be careful of inhaling it as this can be harmful.

Finally, over-applying Axe or any other body spray can result in an overpowering scent.

This can potentially cause headaches or some kind of irritation for you and even those around you. In all of these, you shouldn’t have any issues if you’re just using it occasionally or as directed.

Final Thoughts on Axe Body Wash

As you can see, the reason behind the Axe Body Wash hate is the marketing strategies employed by Axe.

There is also some reference to the effectiveness of the product itself. Some users complain that it is too potent and probably needs a remake.

One thing I’ve noticed is that the hate may only be with some minor set of people. Some users of Axe products may not feel this way.