Did you know that only two percent of people have armpits that never smell? Unfortunately for the rest of us, that means we need to take measures to control our body odor so we do not annoy others.
Although standard deodorant or antiperspirant and regular showering can usually combat body odor effectively, you may need a bit more help. Excessive body odor could be due to a medical condition or simply the way that your body operates.
Have you ever wondered how to get rid of body odor so you do not have to feel self-conscious any longer? Here is a guide with some handy tips that will have you smelling good in no time.
Avoid Harsh Soaps
Although that fancy body wash bottle may say that it will leave you smelling fresh and clean, it can actually do more harm than good. This is because harsh soaps can irritate your skin and cause it to produce more bacteria.
The more bacteria that your skin has, the more that your body has to work to fight it. This will cause a cycle that leads to more body odor.
Your best bet for controlling body odor is using antibacterial soap. This will do the single purpose of destroying the bacteria on your skin, which is the primary cause of body odor.
If you do not know which soaps to look for, try using formulas with all-natural ingredients. This is one of the easiest ways to avoid harsh chemicals that can irritate your skin.
You can also talk to your doctor about different soap options that may work to eliminate body odor. They will have some drugstore recommendations that you can try.
Try Breathable Fabrics
If you sweat a lot, chances are that this is contributing to your body odor. One of the best ways to combat excessive sweat is by wearing breathable fabrics.
Some of the most popular breathable fabrics include cotton and bamboo. They are also great for hot weather because they will not stick to your skin or trap heat inside of your body.
Although many synthetic fabrics are advertised as wicking moisture away, they can still cause problems like body odor and keep you from smelling good.
For added protection, you should consider wearing a breathable undershirt. The undershirt will absorb your sweat and bacteria, which will prevent the smell from developing.
If you are going somewhere where you will get hot and sweaty, it is a good idea to bring a change of clothes. You can always change into more breathable fabric later on.
Dry Yourself Completely
When you get out of the shower or any other water activity, you must dry yourself completely. Although this may seem obvious, you would be surprised to learn how many areas you miss after only one pass.
Bacteria use moisture to grow and reproduce. Therefore, even if you feel like you got clean in the shower, you could still harbor more bacteria if you do not dry off properly.
A good technique is to start with your head and neck and work your way down your body. Take care to get into the nooks and crannies that you might have ignored before.
Obviously, you should make sure that your armpits are completely dry before you apply any deodorant or antiperspirant. This will help create a baseline without bacteria so the formula can do its job.
You should also ensure that you wash your towels regularly. Using a towel too much can cause bacteria to reproduce, and you will wipe it all over your body when you dry yourself off.
Buy Extra Strength Deodorant
Not all deodorants are created equally. Although many formulas say that they do a great job combatting body odor and sweat, you may need something stronger if you still find yourself stinky.
If you do not see a change in your body odor with regular deodorant, you should try clinical or extra-strength deodorant. Despite the name, you often do not need to get a doctor’s prescription to get this type of deodorant.
When you look for a good clinical deodorant, check for ingredients such as aluminum chloride. Not only will these help control body odor, but they will even aid your body in producing less sweat.
Since these deodorants tend to be more powerful, you may need to buy one that is designed for sensitive skin. You can search for alternative products without aluminum or any clinical deodorant marketed for sensitive skin.
One of the downsides to clinical deodorant is that it is often more expensive than the average brand. Make sure that you do your research before buying it so that you do not waste your money on a formula that doesn’t work for you.
Change Your Laundry Habits
How you do your laundry can have a major effect on your body odor. You may think it is just as simple as throwing your clothes in the wash, but many other factors will influence how you smell.
When you make your clothes sweaty, try to get them in the wash as soon as possible. This will prevent bacteria from growing and causing even more body odor. You will more easily get the smell out of the clothes.
Make sure that you turn your sweaty clothes inside out before you put them in the wash. With this technique, you will have the best chance of cleaning the areas that have the most contact with sweat during the day.
If you have skin sensitivity, try to change up your laundry detergent. This can cause irritation, which can lead to scratching and sweating. Avoid formulas that have lots of unnecessary scent boosters and stick to a simple detergent that will get the job done.
For an added boost of cleanliness in your laundry cycle, try adding vinegar to your wash cycle. If you do not have vinegar, you can add baking soda. However, do not use the two at once, because they will cancel out.
Finally, if you can, you should not use your dryer as much. Opt for hang drying your clothing so that the breeze can do a good job getting odors out naturally.
Evaluate Your Diet
Did you know the food you eat can play a huge role in how you smell? You may think of bad breath first, but it can affect how your body produces unpleasant scents.
Items such as spicy foods may taste good at the moment, but they will affect how you smell later on. In addition, try to avoid processed foods and too much alcohol and caffeine.
You may think that ingredients like onion and garlic online affect your breath, but they can also make your body odor worse. Be mindful of the ingredients you use in the kitchen and cut out foods that cause your body odor to get noticeably worse.
It is a good idea to shift toward a healthier diet. If you need to lose weight, then this could help with your body odor as well. Some of the best foods to eat to reduce body odor include:
- yogurt
- non-sulfurous vegetables
- herbs
- kombucha
Foods high in probiotics can counteract the bacteria that your body produces and help to reduce your body odor overall. You do not have to completely cut out the spicy or processed foods, but be mindful of what you put in your body so you can regulate your body odor.
Perfumes and Body Sprays
If you want to mask the scent of body odor by smelling good, you should invest in some good perfumes and body sprays. You do not have to find one signature scent, though. In fact, it is great to have a collection based on your mood and the season.
Although perfume can be expensive, high-quality formulas only take a little spritz every day to have the full effect. They also stay on for hours at a time, meaning that you will not have to worry about reapplication.
Finding the right perfume can be tricky. It is a good idea to consult with a perfume expert to make sure that you get a scent that works for your needs. Many perfume retailers such as Perfume Price offer a wide variety of scents that you can choose from.
If you want to change up your smell during the day, then you may want to invest in body sprays instead. These are usually cheaper but the downside is that the scent does not last as long. However, you can find them in your average retail stores and stock up if you want different scents and moods.
Before you start using a new perfume, it is a good idea to see if your skin reacts badly to it. Do a patch test by spraying a small amount on your skin where it is visible. If it is too harsh, your skin may turn red or have another unpleasant reaction.
Visit a Specialist
Sometimes you may try everything, and your body odor does not budge. In this case, it may be a good idea to visit a doctor who can help diagnose the problem.
Many issues can cause persistent body odor, including:
- stress
- genetics
- weight
- medical conditions
- diet
Your doctor can do an examination and try to figure out what the root problem of your body odor is. You may also get a prescription for a stronger deodorant to combat the issue.
If you are experiencing menopause, excessive sweating is a common symptom that can lead to body odor. Your doctor should help you navigate this phase of your life so that you can get back to normal as soon as possible.
Sometimes prescription medication may be required if the excessive sweating is due to a medical condition. Make sure that you talk to your doctor about potential side effects before you start a new prescription.
Depending on the cause of your body odor, you also may need to visit a different type of doctor. For example, if it is hormones, then an OBGYN will know how to balance those with natural methods or a birth control pill.
However, if your body odor is caused by something on your skin, then a dermatologist may be able to help resolve the issue. This is why it is very important to identify the root cause of the body odor.
De-stress Your Lifestyle
Stress is one of the biggest causes of sweat and therefore, body odor. When your body has a stress response, it produces hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These make your body sweat and eventually lead to body odor if you do not take appropriate measures.
Although you may not be able to avoid some stressful situations, de-stressing your lifestyle can go a long way in reducing your body odor. Try to develop healthy habits that will help you in the long run.
Whenever you find yourself experiencing anxiety, use a technique to center your emotions and get back on track. One of the best techniques is steady breathing to regulate your heart.
Try a hobby that will help you to calm down and step away from frequently stressful situations. For example, if you like to get outdoors, going hiking may be the perfect option for you.
Meditation is also a great way to relieve stress daily. You can simply try to meditate on your own or even use a cell phone app to help you with guided meditation.
How to Get Rid of Body Odor
If you suffer from body odor, you should not have to feel embarrassed or alone. With these tips, you can learn how to get rid of body odor and smell fresh as a daisy all of the time.
Want to learn more about how you can upgrade your hygiene regimen? Check out our site for more tips and tricks on how you can take care of yourself.
