How To Kill Body Odor This Summer
Here’s My Secrets For Killing BO This Summer. Sincerely, A Seriously Stinky Girl.
It's officially high sweating season!
While you've no doubt been stocking up on deodorants and antiperspirants, those tried-and-true products don't always do the best job at masking body odor. Especially when it's a particularly sweltering day!
If you've ever had a bad bout of B.O., knowing there's an unpleasant smell coming from your body isn't fun. According to a study conducted by Devries Global, 7 in 10 women who deal with body odor say it negatively impacts their life.
What if we told you there were ways to get rid of body odor without relying on deos?
Whether it happens while you're enjoying cocktails with friends or lounging at the beach, we got you. Follow these body odour tips for fresh-smelling pits that last for hours.
WHAT CAUSES SMELLY ARMPITS?
Despite sweat being the culprit behind smelly underarms, there is a good reason for it.
The purpose of sweat is to help the body maintain balanced body temperature and cool it down when your body temp increases. This can happen during workouts, stress, or hot temperatures outside.
Our body is made up of sweat glands that react to signals from our brain to release sweat. Ever noticed how you get extra sweaty when you're nervous? That's your body responding to sweat signals - most likely caused by your accelerated stress levels.
As for body odour, that happens as a result of bacteria on the skin.
"Much like acne, which in part is the result of the action of bacteria on the skin, [body and] underarm odor is caused by bacteria that thrive in the ideal environment—a combination of sebum (oil) secreted by the body through the pores, and warm, moist skin," says dermatologist Alicia Zalka, M.D., an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine.
So it's not actually the sweat that has a foul smell. It's what creates an unpleasant smell in response to coming in contact with the bacteria.
Thankfully, there are a few ways to treat body odour if you're prone to excessive sweating.
NATURAL WAYS TO GET RID OF BODY ODOR
Never fail the sniff test again with these body odour tips...
Exfoliate
Besides giving you super-smooth pits, regularly exfoliating your armpits can reduce body odour-causing bacteria buildup.
"Regular exfoliation helps to keep bacterial numbers in check by getting rid of dead skin cells, which can harbor extra bacteria that interact with sweat to cause malodor on the surface of the skin," says Dr. Corey Hartman, an Alabama-based, board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology.
In short, a good hard scrub is seriously in need.
Try Truly's Moon Rocks Scrub for a refreshing exfoliation session. Made with blue tansy, lavender essential oil, jojoba oil, and dream catcher oil, this product uses natural ingredients for smooth, odorless skin. For an AHA/BHA formulated scrub, opt for Truly's Blueberry Kush Scrub. It'll draw out impurities from skin and act as an antibacterial treatment to get rid of smelly BO.
Shave
Shaving your underarms frequently will help prevent the accumulation of bacteria, reducing sweat and odor.
To achieve the smoothest, most luxurious shave, use a shaving cream to soften hair cuticles and moisturize while leaving your pits smelling divine. It's one of the most overlooked beauty tips for conquering smelly armpits.
Truly's Coco Cloud Shaving Butter isn't just a hero for delivering an ultra-smooth, close shave. It also acts as a natural deodorant thanks to its exotic, coconut-y smell. So the next time you eat too much spicy food or ended up smelling due to excessive sweating, try this sweet-smelling coconut shaving cream. If you're shaving in the bath, try adding it to your bath water so you can step out smelling extra fresh.
Prep with Unicorn Butter
Lastly, a fun and easy skincare tip for getting rid of body odor: put a little of Truly's Unicorn Butter under your armpits. This candy-scented body butter is perfect for quelling redness post shave, and for sealing in a nice smell before applying deodorant. It works as a scent and stays on the skin. Seriously, it's one of the best deodorants we know of - and it isn't even classed as a deo.
Formulated with rosewater, acai, chia seed, and collagen, this beats antibacterial soaps and home remedies for BO. Forget baking soda and apple cider vinegar. The beauty experts may say they work, but frankly, we've been seeing visible (or shall we say scent-able!) results from this rainbow-swirled, sweet-scented formula.
Lifestyle Changes to Omit Odors
Besides investing in a few good skincare products, your lifestyle choices can drastically impact body odor.
To start with, make sure you're wearing breathable clothing to reduce sweating. Since tight clothing traps heat, it's more likely to cause you to perspire. Pay attention to clothing labels too, as synthetic fabrics can trap sweat and bacteria that lead to body odor.
Now take a look at your diet. Do you regularly consume strong-smelling foods (like garlic and onions)? This may be the explanation for your more pungent body odor.
And finally, try to reduce your stress levels if you want to smell good - everywhere.
"If your stress level is high, you're triggering the hormone cascade that can lead to increased sweat production," says Sarah Villafranco, M.D. and CEO and Founder of Osmia Organics. "No time like the present to revisit your meditation practice!"
Sweating is a normal body function - and body odor is its unpleasant side effect. Usually it's nothing to worry about and can easily be treated with the right products and a few lifestyle changes.
However, if you feel like your sweating is something unusual, talk to your doctor. There could be a chance your thyroid function and other hormonal levels aren't functioning as well as they should.
If your lab tests are normal, but your sweating is plain old annoying, give our recommended tips and products a try to see if they work for you.
