Matthew McConaughey Has Some Questionable Hygiene Habits

Adults have the freedom to do what they want, and that includes sometimes making questionable choices about their hygiene. And while you might never know how many times your neighbor showers or cleans his fingernails, the questionable personal hygiene habits of celebrities are a different story — in fact, they sometimes are the story.

Take the self-care habits of Matthew McConaughey, for example. Now in his 50s, he's completely open (and has been since at least the early 2000s) about a couple of surprising (albeit not necessarily completely bizarre) choices he makes for his lifestyle and body. 

The first is his aversion to wearing any deodorant. According to previous interviews he's given, McConaughey has spent more than 40 years avoiding deodorant and antiperspirant products. In an interview, McConaughey explained that he was comfortable with his natural body smell.

But what does halting the use of all deodorant do to your aroma? Two of McConaughey's costars had revealing comments.

Actress Yvette Nicole Brown, who performed alongside him in one of his films, noted that he smelled "sweet" as well as like "granola" (via Yahoo! Life). Kate Hudson — who also doesn't use deodorant – revealed to Andy Cohen that she could smell McConaughey's odor at a distance, but only because they were both "au naturales" and she had become familiar with his unique odor.

Interestingly, McConaughey's not alone in ditching his deodorant, at least among younger Gen Z members. A 2019 YouGov poll revealed that 39% of adults under age 25 stay away from deodorant, too.

But is going without deodorant for decades unhealthy? Dermatology expert Dr. Nina Botto told CNN that while it's customary to cover up body smells, swearing off deodorant is a personal decision that shouldn't affect your longevity or health. (Here's the best way to stop body odor without deodorant.) Said Botto, "[It's] not like flossing your teeth, where there's data that you're actually going to live longer if you floss your teeth regularly."

The fact is, sweat doesn't have any smell until it mixes with bacteria. Therefore, as long as you stay clean by bathing regularly, you may be able to keep unpleasant body odors to a minimum.

There may even be practical reasons to consider ditching deodorant: The product may cause undesirable side effects in some individuals. Although science hasn't found evidence to support the rumor that deodorant and antiperspirant are bad for your health or that they might cause cancer, a 2024 study in African Health Sciences found that 25% of 500+ human subjects experienced annoying physical symptoms due to their deodorant. These self-reported annoyances included sneezing, itching, and potential allergic reactions.

McConaughey has a second surprising health habit: Instead of brushing his teeth twice a day — a schedule that's recommended by most dental professionals — he has said he brushes up to five times daily. Brushing that frequently may leave his teeth cleaner and his breath smelling fresher, but too much scouring can wear down the protective enamel on the surface of the teeth. And it can also cause the gums to recede, leading to a higher risk of tooth sensitivity, as well as a greater likelihood of exposed tooth root and bone.

McConaughey hasn't shared what kind of toothbrush he prefers. However, most dentists suggest using a soft-bristled brush that will be gentler on the gums than one with firmer bristles.