The Truth About Body Odor (And Why It’s Not Just Sweat)
Do you remember that moment you came back from a long day and wondered why you smelled terrible even after you applied lots of deodorants and perfumes earlier?
I am almost sure you felt embarrassed and worried about all those that walked past you. A million and one questions hitting your mind at the same time. Don’t worry, it happens. It has happened to everyone, we all have had a feel of body odour, no matter how little. Sometimes, even after you have your bath very well, apply deodorants and perfumes before stepping out, you get back from a long day and still notice a bit of odour.
It is normal because as humans, sweating is one of the most natural things. Our bodies must release sweat to keep us calm and release toxins but there is something we don’t know: sweat on its own doesn’t actually smell, it is the bacteria on the skin. These bacteria are attracted to damp places and you already know that sweat makes our skin damp. So, when we sweat in places like our underarm and feet, bacteria mix up with the sweat and this causes body odour.
Medical News Today makes us understand that people don’t just suddenly smell bad. It begins when we are stressed or hot. At that point, the apocrine glands release a thick type of sweat that easily mixes up with bacteria.
But with all these, there are still some people that stay fresh all day not because they are different or lucky but because there is something they know. They have learnt these little habits that keep bacteria far from them. You too can learn and apply these remedies.
You don’t have to keep buying expensive body sprays or harsh perfumes full of chemicals just to smell nice. Nature has already given you all you need and so, with some natural remedies for body odour that will be discussed in this article, you can be sure of a beautiful body scent without spending much.
Common Causes of Body Odour
It is very helpful that we know the common causes of body odour. Apart from bacteria, there are other things we do that causes body odor. Let’s see some of these bad habits that may seem little but have great negative effects just like( Cleveland Clinic) explained.
1. Tight Clothings
Have you noticed that you sweat more whenever you wear tight clothes? That is because air struggles to go in. Tight clothes also hold unto sweat because there is no space to drip or dry out from. So, the sweat remains there and begins to smell after the contact with bacteria.
Fix: Wear clothes that are loose or just a bit tight on you like dresses made of cotton, linen, and bamboo. This way, air can go into your body freely to dry up sweat and make you feel fresh.
2. Poor Bathing Habits
This is a major reason people smell terribly. They don’t bathe as regularly as they should. Some rush in and out of the bathroom. They never take out time to wash sensitive areas properly. So, the sweat keeps accumulating every day, attracts bacteria and what next? Body odour.
Fix: Have your bath everyday. You can make it twice on a very hectic day. Use mild antibacterial soap and sponge thoroughly for the sensitive areas of your body like your armpit, private part, feet and behind your ears.
3. Spicy and Pungent Foods
Eating foods made with spicy ingredients like ginger, onions, garlic also causes body odour. They contain some Sulphur materials that stay in your pores long after you have finished eating and this can cause a very horrible smell. You know the difficult part? Most times, it hardly goes away.
Fix: This is not to stop you from taking those spicy foods you love. All you need to do is balance all you eat. As you take that food made with ginger, garlic and onions, also take cucumber, watermelon and citrus juices that will help flush out those toxins, keeping you fresh and clean from inside.
4. Anxiety and Stress
It is very natural to sweat more when you are tensed. I remember standing before a very large crowd to give a speech. The room suddenly became so hot and I started sweating seriously. The Air conditioners and fans were working properly, every other person was fine except me. Hahaha.
Stress is another cause of body odour. When a person is stressed, the apocrine glands release some kind of very thick sweat that contains protein. Bacteria love this a lot and so, they feed on them immediately, causing terrible odour.
Fix: Try to calm your nerves immediately as much as you can. Some exercises like stretching will help you. If possible, take a walk too. This will make you happier, more peaceful and even fresher.
5. Synthetic Fabrics
Some clothes made of nylon, polyester and rayon may look so beautiful but are not helpful. They hold unto sweat and make you feel so hot. This way, bacteria can easily multiply because they get very comfortable.
Fix: Wear more of fabrics made of cotton and linen because they give room for air.
6. Hormonal Changes
Sometimes, body odor is caused by our hormones. The body changes and this makes our hormones unstable. During pregnancy, menstruation, menopause or even ovulation, our hormones react differently and can cause stronger body odour. Women who are attentive to their bodies understand this better.
Fix: Drink enough water to help wash off your system. Also have your bath regularly and eat properly.
7. Certain Medications or Health Conditions
Sicknesses like diabetics, liver disease, kidney issues or hyperhidrosis which is excessive sweating can make one smell terrible. Some drugs and medications can also change the way you smell. Antidepressants, supplements or some antibiotics like fish oil have very strong and horrible smell that can cause body odour.
Fix: Once you notice a change in the way you smell, reach out to a doctor and check your body thoroughly to be sure there is no medical issue somewhere in your system. The Cleveland Clinic explains that hormonal disorders and issues with metabolism or digestion can also cause body odour.
8. Poor Gut Health
Your stomach and entire digestive system contribute to how you smell. If there are terrible organisms in there that cause odour, it comes out through your pores and makes your sweat smell so bad. This kind of odour is always a struggle because it comes from the inside.
Fix:Take some foods that are rich in fiber like fruits and vegetables and also probiotics like yoghurt, kefir and sauerkraut . They will help flush out these toxins in your system and keep you fresh all day.
9. Inadequate Hydration
Water is a cleanser. It flushes everything that causes body odour from your system. When you hardly take water, your sweat is thicker and smellier because the toxins are still in there but when you are intentional about drinking water, your system is clean and body odour is prevented.
Fix: Take about 6-8 glasses of water everyday. You can take more if you stay in a very hot environment or have stressful schedules. Water keeps your body cool, calm and reduces the level at which you sweat.
10. Smoking and Alcohol
Cigarettes and alcohol are not only harmful to your health, they also make you smell bad. There are chemicals used in making them that smell strongly and as you take these drugs often, those chemicals move into some sensitive parts of your body like your hair and skin pores. After a while, the smell mixes up with your sweat and produces a very awful odor.
Fix: Reduce your intake of cigarette and alcohol or you completely stop taking them. After a while, your body will regain its natural odour. Your clothes and breath will also smell better.
11. Excess Sugar and Processed Foods
Sugary foods cause body odour because some bacteria in your body like yeast get stronger when you take them. It is also difficult for your body to flush out toxins when your food is always processed and this way bacteria keep piling up releasing smelly sweat.
Fix: Reduce your intake of sugar, fast and refined food. You can take more of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. You will notice that you smell better and feel even stronger.
12. Lack of Air Circulation
Most times, our body struggles to have a feel of air and this causes sweat to build up on our skin. Areas like your armpit, feet and thighs need air and when the struggle to have it, the sweat attracts bacteria that feed here, causing terrible odour.
. Fix: Allow your skin breathe. After having your bath, dry yourself properly and put on a very free cloth. If you can, just go naked for a while, it helps your skin get as much air as possible.
14 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Body Odour (Safe & 100% Chemical-Free)
If you are struggling with body odour even after applying certain deodorants, there are natural and even cheaper ways to go about it. These home remedies for body odour are very easy, affordable and effective. Let’s see some of them:
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is one of those ingredients in your kitchen that can also be used to fight body odour because it balances your skin’s PH(potential of Hydrogen). It cleanses your body and makes sure that your skin is not so acidic or full of alkaline which causes odour. Some soaps we use makes our skin too acidic and attracts bacteria but with the help of apple cider vinegar, we can prevent all of that.
How to use: Mix water and ACV of equal quantity. Soak some of that mixture into a cotton ball and gently dab your armpit . Allow it for about 2-3 minutes and then, rinse off. You will feel some kind of sensation but don’t bother, that is a sign that it’s working.
Why it works: It contains acetic acid that kills bacteria and balances your skin’s PH .
2. Baking Soda or Arrowroot Powder
Baking soda or arrowroot powder absorbs moisture and makes your skin dry. If you struggle with wet armpits, feet or thighs, apply them there. These powders are also used to stop odour in our homes. Baking soda is usually applied to get rid of bad odour in our fridges. That is the same thing it can do for your body, it kills bacteria and makes you smell nice. It is perfect for people with sensitive skin too.
How to use: After having your bath, just apply a little under your arms or on your feet. It will help keep you very dry, fresh and free from odour throughout the day.
Bonus: Baking soda prevents that burning sensation in between your thighs, it also exfoliates and brightens your dark underarm. Use only arrowroot powder for sensitive skin.
3. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is not just great for cooking or hair care, it is also very useful in fighting body odour. If you have applied coconut oil on your skin before, you will notice the soft feeling it gives. That is because it keeps your skin moisturized. It also contains Lauric acid that kills bacteria and stop odour. Unlike other deodorants, coconut oil does not tighten your sweat pores, it lets air go in, heals every form of irritation and makes you smell so really good.
How to use:After having your bath, take some drops and apply under your arms or another part of your body that sweats easily. Massage gently with clean fingers.
Pro tip: You can also mix with some essential oils like tea tree or lavender oil.
4. Exfoliate Naturally
Dead cells easily cause body odour and when this happens, there is no amount of deodorants or perfumes that will stop the smell. The only way to handle that is exfoliation. Exfoliation is the scrubbing away of dead cells, you can call it a skin reset. Scrubbing opens your pores and keeps them so clean, preventing bacteria and bad smell. hat way, products like coconut oil can work better on your skin when applied.
DIY Scrub Recipe: You don’t need to buy fancy or expensive scrubs because you can make one for yourself. Just mix a teaspoon of sugar or salt, a teaspoon of coconut or olive oil and a pinch of Tumeric. Gently massage in areas you sweat a lot, rinse gently with warm water. You can do this twice a week.
5. Tea Tree Oil
Have you smelled this oil before now?
If you have, you will agree that it has a strong nice smell. It is a very powerful antibacterial and antifungal oil. So, it does not just help you smell nice but it kills bacteria. It works very fast because of how strong it is and so, it is advisable that you mix with some other essential oils.
How to use: Mix with about three drops or one table spoon of either coconut or almond oil and gently apply under your arms. You can also add a little to your bath water.
Note: It is so strong and harsh, don’t ever use without dilution.
6. Natural Deodorant Sticks
Most deodorants we buy in stores are just full of chemicals that block your pores and prevents your body from sweating like it should. Sweating is not our challenge; the problem is the bacteria. So, this natural deodorant sticks will let you sweat but will also prevent bacteria. These natural deodorant alternatives contain baking soda, shea butter, arrow root powder and some essential oils. They can be applied the same way you apply your deodorants but make sure you dry and clean up your armpit first. If you have been using chemical deodorants but trying to switch to this, wait for about a week first before use. At first, you may sweat more than normal but after a while, your body will adjust.
7. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is one natural product that solves a lot of problems like body odour. The gel is not just for burns, it also helps to calm irritated skin and fights bacteria that cause odour. If your underarm is reddish and easily irritated after using deodorants, then, this is for you. After your bath, apply some aloe Vera gel under your arm, it will heal every irritation and also make you smell better.
How to use: Open a fresh aloe Vera, apply some of the gel under your arm and let it dry before dressing up.
8. Lemon Juice
Anyone that has tried Lemon juice for body odour will want to jump over the rooftop to scream how effective it is. This is one of the strongest natural ways to sort out body odor. It kills bacteria and brightens your underarm at the same time.
How to use: Simply squeeze some lemon juice into a container, add little water so that the harshness can reduce a bit, then, apply under your arms with cotton. As you apply it, you will feel fresh at once.
Caution: Don’t step out immediately after use because it can make your skin get irritated, this is why it is best advised to use at night before going to bed.
9. Eat More Probiotic Foods
Sometimes, body odour starts from the inside, beneath your pores. Some people apply everything they know to apply but still struggle with odour. This is why it is advisable to eat healthy. Probiotics are the bacteria your body need to be able to balance and fight the unhealthy ones and they are contained in foods like kefir, yoghurt and fermented foods. They can help make your digestion better, cleanse your system and fight toxins that produce bad smells. It is one of the best ways to fight body odour because it is handled from the very root.
This is one of the best answers to give anyone searching for howto stop body odour permanently.
Just as Mayo Clinic adevised, eating healthy and taking enough probiotics makes your body strong enough to fight against odor.
10. Neem Oil
Neem oil is a strong natural oil mostly used for traditional medicines. It is an antibacterial and antifungal oil that can be used to fight body odour. It makes your underarm fresh and smooth even as it fights the bacteria there. It smells strongly and that is why it is advised to be mixed with some other oils.
How to use:
Just mix a few drops with coconut or olive oil and apply under your arm. Allow it for about 15 minutes before washing it off.
Tip: It is better when you mix with other oil types like lavender and rose oil because it has a very strong scent.
11. Eat Odour-Fighting Foods
There are some foods that fight odour and it is good that you eat them. This way, the work is easier. Some foods like citrus fruits, parsley, celery, green vegetables are all natural deodorants. They help cleanse your system of anything that causes odour. It is always advised to start your day with a glass of citrus juice or even try adding celery or parsley to your food. As you eat more of healthy foods that contain water, your body gets cleaner and more refreshed. This way, you don’t even have to do much on the outside because the work is done inside-out
Fruits like lemons, oranges and grapes help flush out toxins
Celery and parsley act as natural deodorants
Green vegetables silences odour
12. Lavender Essential Oil
This oil is not just used for good sleep, it is great gift nature has given us to fight body odor. It is very important if you want to smell good all day. It fights bacteria without stress and has this very calm fragrance that makes you more confident.
How to use:
Before you have your bath, just mix a few drops of Lavender oil in your bath water or you can mix with coconut or jojoba oil and directly apply under your arms and feet. As it kills bacteria, it also makes you smell nice and fresh without perfumes or chemical deodorants.
13. Drink More Water
Water is the best way to cleanse your system and the more you take water, the nicer you smell because bacteria are flushed out of your body. Water helps to regulate your body temperature and prevents you from sweating more than normal.
Goal: Ensure to take at least 6-8 glasses of water everyday. You should take more if you stay in a hot environment or have reasons to sweat heavily. Your skin will glow more and you won’t struggle with odor anymore.
14. Practice Good Hygiene Consistently
With a thousand and one deodorants, if you don’t practice good hygiene, all efforts will just be in vain. Take good care of your body, use soaps that are nice to your skin and wash your underarms, thighs, feet and private parts more than other areas.
Keep your toilets clean and ensure to wash your underwears very well.
Ensure your clothes are always clean, brush your teeth at least twice everyday. Wear clothes that will let you get some air. These may sound basic but if you don’t carefully practice them, the deodorants and perfumes you apply will only be a waste of time. With everything listed earlier and a good practice of hygiene, body odour will be very far from you. Smelling good will never be about the number of products you use but the little hygienic things you do everyday.
Extra Tips for Long-Lasting Freshness
• Get body sprays that are natural. Mix water with rose oil, a few drops of lemon or lavender.
• Ensure your skin is completely dry before wearing your clothes because wet skin attracts bacteria.
• Don’t apply vinegar immediately after shaving to prevent irritation. Wait for a while before going ahead.
• Control the things that stress you. Try not to get so stressed and overwhelmed because it makes you sweat so much, attracts bacteria and causes odour.
Why You Should Ditch Chemical Deodorants
Natural deodorants will always be better because these chemical ones contain materials that close your pores and stops your body from releasing harmful toxins naturally. They contain aluminum, parabens and some synthetic fibers that are not healthy to the skin.
Use natural deodorant alternatives or try to make these natural products yourself. You also need to know that if you want to switch to natural methods, your skin may need a little time to adjust but immediately it does, you will feel fresher than you have ever felt.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the fastest natural way to get rid of body odour?
Lemon juice and apple cider vinegar work so well and fast. They kill bacteria immediately and balance your skin’s PH. These two make your skin look and smell so fresh and they are the best two answers on How to Get Rid of Body Odour Naturally.
2. Can body odour be permanent?
No, you can always change that. All you need is consistency in all that you have been advised. Be very hygienic and try out the natural remedies for body odour. Body odour can either be reduced or removed completely. No matter how far it has come, all you need is the best way to go about it.
3. Which foods help fight odour?
Foods like celery, parsley, leafy greens and fruits cleanses your body and removes toxins that cause body odor. The more you take them, the easier it is to stop body odour permanently even from your inside.
4. Is baking soda safe for underarms?
Yes, it is good but don’t over use so it does not cause irritation. Whenever your skin feels dry, mix some with coconut oil and the aloe Vera gel and apply. Baking soda is one very easy way to kill bacteria.
5. Why do I still smell after bathing?
There are a lot of possible reasons. It could be the bacteria trapped in your clothes, lack of water in your system or even an unhealthy eating habit but if you have done all that and it still persists, then, check out for some medical issues like hormonal imbalance or hyperthyrosis. The Mayo Clinic explains that there are health issues that increase body odor and this type needs to be solved from the root.
Conclusion: Smelling Good Is a Daily Choice, Not a Luxury
It is clear that you don’t need all those fancy perfumes to smell nice. Yes, they add to all you can do but that is not the reason you smell good. All you need to do is to consistently care for yourself, just consistency and care. Body odor does not make you less of yourself, it is just your body’s way of asking for more care and honestly, the moment you respond, all that odor will be gone.
Just as Cleveland Clinic explained, the things that control body odour are those simple everyday routines and not the expensive chemicals we buy.
There is this saying: when you smell good, you feel good.
Yes, smelling good just being this joy and happiness. You feel differently, walk differently, talk differently. There is just this confidence that comes with knowing you smell fresh, nice and sweet.
There is something else!
You will surely feel so much better when you know you didn’t have to spend so much to achieve that.
So, you can start today by trying one of the remedies, check out the ones that work perfectly for you and stay consistent with them.
How many natural remedies for body odour have you tried and which of them worked for you? Drop your answers in the comments. That could be all someone needs to find the best remedy for their own body odour struggle.
