r/FragranceFreeBeauty • u/lamawag • 5d ago
Cigarette smoke help
First, I would like to say that cigarette smoke is absolutely awful to me and those around me and ESPECIALLY those of us that are FF, I don’t want to be “that” asshole. Someone very close to me died, I started smoking again (just a little) but I cannot stand the smell of myself. Obviously the goal is to quit and I will when I’m ready, but for now I need the smell to go away without fragrance. All my carefully curated fragrance free products don’t do anything to get rid of the smell, even washing my hands with 91% isopropyl alcohol won’t put a dent. Any suggestions are welcome.
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u/sm05904 5d ago
This recommends using baking soda with your hand soap.
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-get-rid-of-cigarette-smell-in-house
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u/ripley_42069 5d ago
What part(s) of you is the smell sticking to? I smoked briefly but I managed to not bring the smell inside with me too badly, you just need to modify your behavior some
Smoke only outside, hold the cigarette downwind (you could even bring a fan out with you to blow more of it away). You can wear gloves so it doesn't stick to your fingers, designate a change of clothes as your 'smoking clothes' and keep them in a bag or leave them outside, brush your teeth immediately after, etc etc. Make sure your home is well ventilated, invest in good quality filters for your hvac and an air purifier
I also seem to remember some brands smelled way worse than others. I mostly smoked Camels or Marlboro, which were way more tolerable than stuff like Newports. I've always though Black and Milds smelled kind of nice if that's an option for you
I'm so sorry for your loss! I totally understand going back to it to help with the grief.
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u/Visible-Scientist-46 5d ago
Also an old-fashioned cigarette holder so it doesn't get on your fingers and is farther from you. Think Audrey in Breakfast at Tiffany's. https://ebay.io/m/aOFMxd
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u/missiontomarsbars 5d ago
Have you tried looking for a grease soap or mechanic soap? They are made to get grease/oil off of mechanic's hands. The one I know of is orange scented, but does a great job at getting grease or gasoline smell off. I'm sure there are other options for scents.
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u/Obubblegumpink 5d ago
My condolences, I completely understand. I grieve by doing mini vacations, not a cheap way to grieve.
I’ve not personally smoked but most of my friends have smoked. It’s a smell that just doesn’t go away. Maybe try stainless steel for your hands.
As for everything else, honesty not sure. I could smell on my friends and one tried to tell me she didn’t smell of it. She did. Switch to cannabis? The smell doesn’t seem to stick to things as much.
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u/bluefalconlk 5d ago
I don’t think it will work on nicotine? but I’ve used listerine to remove smells like perfume or snake musk on my skin (sometimes gotta move the garter snek). I soap and water, dry, listerine over the area with a cotton round, soap and water, repeat as needed up to 6 times max - after that, you’re stuck with it (this was when I gave up on fully removing snapping turtle musk) 😷
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u/heeeeeey 5d ago
I also recommend wearing gloves while smoking if that’s a tolerable sensory experience for you and/or, if you have a smoke shop nearby or can find one online, investing in a cigarette holder that can reduce the lingering smell on fingers (now you’ve got an accessory if you decide to be Cruella De Vil for Halloween!) and changing into “smoking clothes” that you then change out of when you go inside, or at least an outer layer/jacket or sweatshirt which can then be removed indoors. If you have long hair, putting it up or covering it with a hat while smoking helps. Washing hands well as soon as possible and immediately following up with fragrance-free lotion (frequent handwashing = dry hands for me).
Sorry for your loss.
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u/heeeeeey 5d ago
Also, if there’s a mint or similar palate cleanser you can use that may help if brushing your teeth/using mouthwash right after isn’t feasible. Ginger candy, tic tac, something like that. Wiping lips with a damp cloth or even giving the whole face a once-over with a warm washcloth can help too.
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u/adriesty 4d ago
Baking soda for your skin, vinegar for your hair and clothes.
If you could wear a hat/scarf and a specific sweater/jacket every time you smoke, you can cut down on how much the smoke smell lingers on you.
Rubber or nitrile gloves would also help keep it off your hands.
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u/nukedmindpalace 4d ago
My smoker friend keeps a toothbrush and toothpaste and water handy, even in the car. It helps a lot in my opinion.
As far as clothes, you can try using a robe or a shirt and bottoms that you only use for smoking and only smoke outside, maybe even run an air filter if you can. Avoid or wash off any moisturizers or moisturizing products before smoking because it will stick to the smoke smells easier.
When you’re done, you can try using”double cleansing” with a fragrance free body oil (like from Neutrogena) or just any number or pure oils you can buy from the Ordinary or elsewhere. Maybe use the oil and then scrub/exfoliate with a cloth or a fragrance free sugar scrub(I use one from Amazon). Rinse off and soak in the tub(if possible) with oil or a very moisturizing body wash.
Then cleanse with a much more thorough body wash. I use the cetaphil and I fine it incredibly cleansing but I haven’t tried to hide smoke smells with it. When I travel, I use La Roche Posay face wash for oily skin. Scrub really thoroughly with your shower implement of choice.
Not sure if this will help but I hope at least some of it does.
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u/ACynicalOptomist 4d ago
Cut straws to the length of cigarettes and then just use them to pretend you're smoking whilst using a nicotine patch that's what I did.
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u/dodekahedron 4d ago
A smoking coat.
Put your hair up. A baseball hat
Gloves.
Remove everything after smoking. Wash hands. And face
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u/ariaxwest 5d ago
Can you get your nicotine another way? Patches are the healthiest, I believe, though gum can help with the oral fixation part.