How To Eradicate Body Odor from Armpit Area – Smell Fresh After a Good Workout
Maintaining a physically active body is great, but we all know it’s not that easy. Aside from recurring body aches and cramps, it’s also difficult to get away from body odors.
After a sweaty workout session, there are times when you need to grab some groceries or meet up with some friends. But despite changing into new, fresh clothes, there’s still that peculiar smell that other people smell when you walk up to them. Take note that this doesn’t only happen after a workout, especially during hot days. All of us would most likely sweat every day, even without doing anything.
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In case you didn’t know, body odor wasn’t always present in our lives, but it’s natural. Body odor, or Bromhidrosis, starts at puberty as a result of the increasing number of hormones called androgens. This is the reason why body odor wasn’t a problem when we were kids despite getting sweaty from playing all day.
Sweating is our body’s way of regulating temperature, and it doesn’t normally stink. However, bacteria take advantage of the sweat and use it to breed and multiply. And when bacteria breaks down, that’s when the smell comes in. When talking about body odor, the armpit is the most critical area, and let’s be real – it’s a major turn off for anyone.
Even during winter, your armpits can still smell even when you’re not sweating too much, and that’s totally normal. But, it doesn’t always have to be that way. There are some tricks to naturally remove that peculiar smell from your armpit area.
Here are the simple ways to stay smelling fresh after a good workout:
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a natural remedy for a lot of body predicaments and their are so many benefits of apple cider vinegar. It can be used for just about anything, even for weight loss! But because of its natural acidity, apple cider vinegar effectively controls armpit odor. It neutralizes the environment and gets rid of the odor-causing bacteria on your armpits.
To apply ACV, put a considerable amount in a small ball. Then dip a cotton ball on the liquid and apply directly to your underarms. For best results, repeat the process two times a day, one in the morning after taking a bath, and the other one before going to bed.
Baking soda
Baking soda is a common household item for baking and cleaning, but it can also treat health and beauty issues. With the help of baking soda, the odor-causing bacteria will be eliminated, leaving your underarms smelling fresh.
For this simple trick, mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with a tablespoon of lemon juice. Gently rub the solution directly to your armpit area and leave it for about 2 to 3 minutes. Rinse it off afterwards, or you can go ahead and take a shower.
Iodine
Iodine also does an excellent job in removing odor from armpits. It aids in disinfecting your armpits and helps restore the skin’s pH with its antibacterial features.
If you don’t have one at home, grab a bottle of iodine from the nearest pharmacy. For this remedy, you will also need a soft brush.
Apply a few drops of iodine on your underarms, then gently scrub it with the brush. Leave it there for about 3-5 minutes and then you can take a shower. Do it continuously for a couple of days and you’ll eventually see (or smell) the difference!
Lavender essential oil
Aside from its pleasant smell that can feel relaxing or put you to sleep, lavender oil also helps in treating skin and health problems. Not only does the fragrance of lavender mask the bad odor, but it also has antiseptic properties that get rid of the bacteria. Take note that essential oils like this one can be powerful so remember to mix it with water. Add a few drops of lavender oil to a glass of water, and pour the mixture in a spray bottle. Spray it directly to your underarms for about two times a day.
Some people tend to have skin reactions towards some oils, so if you feel any irritation, it would be best to discontinue this method.
Tea tree oil
Just like lavender essential oil, tea tree oil also works to eradicate armpit odor. In fact, this is considered as the most potent antimicrobial essential oil. And since it also has a strong effect on your skin, it must be diluted in water.
All you need to do is to mix two drops of the tea tree oil in two tablespoons of water. Using a cotton pad, apply it on your underarms and gently rub it on. Repeat two times a day for effective results.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera is a popular ingredient added to skin care products. That’s because this plant is rich in antioxidants as well as antibacterial nutrients.
If you have fresh aloe vera planted on your garden, you don’t have to spend money to get a natural bacteria killer for your armpit area. Just squeeze some gel from the aloe vera leaf and apply directly to your underarms. Leave it there overnight and wash it off in the morning. The natural antiseptic features of aloe vera will guarantee odor free underarms all day!
Coconut oil
Aside from cooking and baking, coconut oil is also an ingredient that can fix almost anything. You can use coconut oil for your hair, skin, nails, and of course, your underarms. It contains antimicrobial properties and, amazingly, it doesn’t only keep off bad smell, but also helps hydrate your skin.
For this remedy, make sure to only use virgin or raw coconut oil. Take about a tablespoon and let it warm on your fingers. Directly apply it on your underarms and leave it on until your skin absorbs it. For best results, do it two times a day, preferably after taking a shower.
Castor oil
Castor oil, which is collected from castor plants, has a lot of benefits. It has increasingly become popular for supporting hair growth, including eyebrows and eyelashes. But little people know that it’s also effective in reducing body odor, especially on and around the armpit area.
To apply, just take some of the castor oil and rub it gently on your underarms. It’s best to do it before going to bed and then washing it off in the morning. Do this every day for as long as you require.
Body Odor isn’t something you should feel conscious about. And it definitely shouldn’t be the reason why you avoid going to the gym. Or similarly the reason why you don’t always put in 100% or are too scared to enter beast mode. With these eight simple ideas, you can have the reassurance that you and your fellow gym goers are unlikely to be worrying about how much odor is protruding from your armpit area, and more worried about who’s going to be doing the next set of burpees.
Author Bio: Isabel Speckman is a North Carolina-based freelance writer and work-from-home mother of three. In her 10 years as a professional writer, she’s worked in proposal management, grant writing, and content creation. Her writing skills may be confirmed independently on Vivotion. Personally, she’s passionate about teaching her family how to stay safe, secure and action-ready in the event of a disaster or emergency.