In a recent study, participants were shown videos of women doing neutral activities, such as working at the office or taking care of their kids. When the videos were paired with a blast of air that smelled like sweat, the participants rated the women in the videos as seeming more stressed. And male (though not female) participants thought the women seemed less confident, competent and trustworthy. The smell of sweat acts like a chemical distress signal—even when you’re calm, collected and without a hint of shine.

MORE: Sweat Signals Stress