Quick fact: Your sweat is not the culprit behind smelly armpits. It’s the bacteria that breaks down the protein in the sweat to release a pungent odor. Moreover, sweating is simply your body’s way of regulating temperature. Who knew? Well, that establishes the guilty party here.
Underarm smell is like an awkward byproduct that doesn’t discriminate and sneaks up on all of us. Sure, everything from puberty to indulging in more alcohol and spicy treats can further ramp up some serious underarm drama. So, think of the sweat-and-smell as the circle of life that happens to the best of us.
What Causes Underarm Smell
So what causes smelly underarms? When you perspire, the apocrine glands (sweat glands) in your armpit produce sweat high in protein. When bacteria present on your skin breaks down this sweat into acids, it results in an unpleasant smell which is the body odor. Your genetic makeup, diet, and hygiene also decide the kind of smell your body emanates.
Here are some other reasons that can cause underarm smell:
- Certain health conditions might cause you to sweat more.
- Certain kinds of medication might increase the level of perspiration in your body.
- Not changing clothes immediately after working out.
- Not showering enough.
- Certain foods, like garlic and onion, can also cause underarm smell.
- Hormonal changes could be another reason for body odor.
Home Remedies For Smelly Armpits
Since body odor (B.O.) is pretty natural and only gets stronger as the day wears on, the best you can do is try natural cures to score fresh-smelling armpits. So, here’s a lowdown on the home remedies for underarm odour.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Step 1:
In a clean spray bottle, add 1 cup of Apple Cider Vinegar and dilute it with ½ cup of Water. Shake it well.
Step 2:
Spray the solution on your underarms before sleeping and leave it overnight.
Step 3:
In the morning rinse off with lukewarm water.
2. Potato
Step 1:
Peel a Potato and cut it into thin slices.
Step 2:
Rub the slices on your armpits. Let it sit for 30 minutes.
Step 3:
Wash it off with water.
3. Coconut Oil
Step 1:
Massage the Coconut Oil on your armpits for 15 minutes.
Step 2:
Let it sit for 30 minutes.
Step 3:
Rinse off with water and pat dry with a clean towel.
4. Aloe Vera
Step 1:
Scoop the gel out of an Aloe Vera Leaf into a bowl.
Step 2:
Apply the gel on your underarms.
Step 3:
After leaving it on for 30 minutes, wash off with water.
5. Baking Soda
Step 1:
In a bowl, add 2 tablespoons of Baking Soda and 1 tablespoon of Lemon Juice. Mix well till it forms a paste.
Step 2:
Massage this mixture in circular motions on your armpits and let it sit for 10 minutes.
Step 3:
Wash off with water.
6. Tea Tree Oil
Step 1:
In a bowl, add 2 tablespoons of Tea Tree Oil and 2 tablespoons of Water. Stir it well.
Step 2:
Apply copious amounts of this solution on your underarms and leave it on for 15 minutes.
Step 3:
Wash off with lukewarm water.
7. Epsom Salt
Step 1:
In your bathwater, add 1 cup of Epsom Salt and 3 drops of Lavender Essential Oil.
Step 2:
Now soak in the water for 15 minutes.
Step 3:
Wash off with cold water and follow it up with a moisturizing lotion.
8. Lemon Juice
Step 1:
In a bowl, squeeze half a Lemon and dilute it with 4 tablespoons of Water.
Step 2:
Directly apply this solution on your underarms and leave it on for 10 minutes.
Step 3:
Wash off with lukewarm water.
9. Lavender Oil
Step 1:
In a clean spray bottle, add 4 drops of Lavender Oil and dilute it with ½ cup of Water. Shake it well.
Step 2:
Spray the solution on your underarms before sleeping and leave it overnight.
Step 3:
In the morning rinse off with lukewarm water.
10. Tomato
Step 1:
Blend a fresh Tomato and extract its juice into a bowl. Squeeze 2 drops of Lemon Juice and mix it well.
Step 2:
Now massage this mixture on your armpits for 10 minutes.
Step 3:
Rinse off with water.
How To Get Rid Of Body Odor With These Skin Care Products
We’ve rounded up a list of super-effective products to help beat body odor.
1. Sukin Natural Deodorant
You can’t go wrong with this odor protection. It calls upon its blend of citrus and aromatic oils (Hi Tangerine, Mandarin, Lavender and Vanillin) to tackle the odor emanating from bacteria thriving on sweat. So whether you are scaling mountains or maneuvering your way into the train for your work commute, you will remain enveloped in a cocoon of soft fragrance laced with delicate floral notes. All of this with zero alcohol content. Genius.
2. First Water Hydrating Moonlight Body Mist
Made for your sweatiest days, the First Water Hydrating Moonlight Body Mist blesses you (and everyone around you) with a burst of floral energy. It keeps your pits smelling fresh thanks to extracts of Indian carnation and the essence of Calendula. Just spritz it on and watch it soak in quick without leaving any glaring residue to instantly mask odor.
3. First Water Hydrating Jasmine Body Mist
We are officially swooned. Who wouldn’t be? Saturated with the extracts of natural Jasmine flowers, this body mist gives your underarms (often neglected) the care they deserve. The best part? This alcohol-free formula is designed to last all through your deadlines and dates. If you’ve got sensitive skin, your underarms will surely thank you for switching to this rescuer that’s easy on skin.
4. Fabindia Musk Perfume Oil
If you are worried about parabens and phthalates seeping in through your armpits and working their way into disrupting your body’s normal functioning then this one’s made for you. Infused with the pleasant aroma of Musk, this toxin-free formula is a gentle treat for your underarms; plus, it leaves a lingering flowery yet warm, earthy scent minus, of course, any skin irritation.
How To Prevent Sweaty Armpits?
Are you wondering about how you can get rid of armpit smell without a deodorant or any other skin care product? We’ve got your back! Here are some simple tricks and tips to keep in mind and you can keep the smelly underarm problem in control:
- Shower Daily
- Change Clothes Frequently
- Keep ‘Em Dry!
- Don’t Shy Away From Shaving
- Check Your Wardrobe
This might sound incredibly simple, but you must take a shower daily. Even on weekends! In fact, if you feel unusually sweaty at the end of the day, no harm in sneaking in another quick shower before bed too.
When your underarms sweat, the sweat gets absorbed by the clothes you’re wearing and this might lead to bad odor. One way to tackle this naturally is by changing clothes more frequently.
As much as possible, keep your underarms dry. This will prevent bacteria from breeding in the area.
Further, you can also shave your armpits. This will also help in reducing sweat and odor.
If you’re someone who sweats a lot, you should try to wear light, breathable fabrics like cotton. This will ensure you sweat as little as possible.
FAQs
1. How to remove smell from underarms with best deo for women?
Once or twice in a day spray a deodorant to keep smelling fresh.
Best deodorants for women include:
- NIVEA Deodorizer Fresh Lily & Sandal Deodorant Gas Free – Women
- United Colors of Benetton Colors Blue Deodorant Body Spray For Her
- Skinn Deodorant Spray Amalfi Bleu For Women
- Fogg Sprays Paradise Fragrance Body Spray For Women
2. Suggest underarm pads for sweating.
Here are the recommended sweating pads.
- Pee Safe Disposable Underarm Folded Sweat Pads
- Slickfix Underarm Sweat Pads Pack Of 28 - White (Free Size)
- SanNap Disposable Underarm Sweat Pads
- Sirona Under Arm Sweat Pads for Women
3. Suggest best underarm roll on.
- NIVEA Deodorant Roll On - Whitening Smooth Skin
- NIVEA Deodorant Roll On - Pearl & Beauty
- Rexona Aloe Vera Underarm Odour Protection Roll On
4. Suggest some tips to get rid of underarm smell.
- Wearing fresh clothes helps minimize body odor.
- Cut back on caffeine, alcohol, spicy food, cruciferous vegetables and other such dietary choices that trigger body odor.
- Bathing with an antibacterial soap can help reduce bacteria that causes the pungent odor.
- Prefer clothes made from wool, silk and cotton that allow sweat to evaporate faster. Synthetic clothes on other hand don’t allow your skin to breathe and trap the sweat on your skin which means a breeding ground for bacteria.
- Hair tends to trap sweat thus, providing a friendly environment for bacteria to multiply and result in body odor. This is why it’s necessary to regularly shave or wax the hair on your armpits.
