Body odor is a fairly common issue. However, it can reduce one’s confidence and make socialization a nightmare for both the sufferer and those that the sufferer comes in contact with.
What is body odor
Body odor is the umbrella term for all-natural smells that a person emits. The human body produces a variety of odorants that are necessary for normal bodily functions.
In small quantities, they do not smell unpleasant but an accumulation of these odorants on the skin can result in an unpleasant smell. So, what we aim to help you get rid of is unpleasant body odor.
Body odor is most likely to emanate from the belly button, behind the ears, feet, armpits, groin, genitals, pubic hairs, and the anus. That is why you need to take extra special care in keeping these places clean.
Causes of body odor
Although sweat is almost odorless, bacteria that are present on the skin break down sweat and cause odors. Perfumes may work to temporarily disguise the odor but you’d want a more stable long-term solution.
Hygiene practices also affect how we smell. How we clean the body determines whether odorants would accumulate in certain regions of the body or not.
How to get rid of body odor
1. Stay hydrated
Everything works from the inside out. Drinking enough water helps flush your body of toxins and it will reduce the concentration of odor causing bacteria on your body.
2. Pay attention to your diet
Foods affect how you smell too. Cut down on alcohol and take notice of foods that affect your smell positively or negatively.
Onions, garlic, and strong spices like curry are known for smelling all over your body, not just on your breath. Foods containing sulfur such as cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower also affect how you smell.
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3. Take a shower
Nothing beats good hygiene in getting rid of odors. You should shower twice on hot days or after intense activity that involves sweating.
Ingredients in soaps that could help with unpleasant odors are: aloe vera, tea tree oil, neem, menthol, and cucumber.
4. Use Coconut oil
Applying coconut oil on armpits after a bath will moisturize them and give you a pleasant smell. Coconut oil also helps lighten dark armpits.
5. Keep your clothes clean
Clothes that make direct contact with your armpits and other odor concentration points should be washed after one wear.
To keep your laundry smelling fresh, toss a cup of vinegar into the laundry. Alternatively, use one cup of baking soda or washing soda alongside detergents in your laundry. Do not use vinegar and baking soda together as they will cancel each other out.
Also, turn your clothes inside out before washing so that sweat and oils can come out of them. Dry fabrics naturally because dryers can ‘bake in’ unpleasant smells and make them harder to get rid of.
6. Go for natural fabrics
Man-made fabrics like polyester and spandex are breeding grounds for bacteria. Go for natural breathable material like wool, cotton, and linen.
7. Use deodorant
Pay attention to the ingredients in the deodorant to ensure that they do not irritate you. Finding the best deodorant for you may take a while, but you don’t have to try every deodorant on the shelf to get there.
Try sprays, solid deodorants, and creams until you find the one that works for you. Ideally, the deodorant for you should last you the whole day and blend well with your body’s chemistry.
8. Homemade deodorants
Pending when you find the deodorant that works for you, you can use a solution of apple cider vinegar to deodorize your armpits. In the alternative, apply equal parts of baking soda and cornstarch to your armpits and wash the mixture off after a few minutes.
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Be careful of your sensitivity to these ingredients as they can cause contact dermatitis and burns in some people.
