6 expert-approved tips to get rid of armpit odor (hint: it's not just about deodorant)
Welcome to sweat season. This is especially true for those who excessively sweat to begin with - and that's not just a few people: Roughly 500,000 Brits deal with excess sweating, per the charity Hyperhidrosis UK.
Even if you don't sweat buckets, it's still possible to struggle with armpit odour. However, there are a few ways to keep the smell at bay. Whether it happens while you're enjoying rooftop drinks, hitting the dance floor at an outdoor wedding, or lounging at the beach, team WH has you covered with dermatologist-approved tips on how to get rid of armpit odour.
Meet the experts: Mona Gohara, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and Women’s Health Advisory Board member. Lauren Eckert Ploch, MD, is a dermatologist and spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology. Dr. Deeptej Singh, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Sandia Dermatology.
But first, read on to find out what causes it to begin with.
What causes armpit odour?
You might assume that perspiration alone equals body odour, but it’s a bit more complex than that. The odour is caused by a combination of sweat and bacteria, says Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and Women’s Health Advisory Board member.
The two main types of sweat—emitted by eccrine and apocrine sweat glands—are both odourless. 'Eccrine glands are found all over the body and release fluids to cool the body when it gets hot,' says Dr Gohara. 'Apocrine glands are found in hairy areas like the armpits, groin, and scalp, and release an oily fluid when a person is stressed or during puberty.' The odour kicks in when bacteria on the skin comes into contact with the sweat.
How to get rid of armpit odour
Struggling with armpit odour can feel like an uphill battle. Luckily there are a few tips that might be able to help.
Swipe at night: If you’re using an antiperspirant (which blocks both sweat and odour—deodorants just neutralizes odour) try applying it at night, says dermatologist Lauren Eckert Ploch, MD, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology. Antiperspirants use aluminum to plug up your sweat glands, and swiping it on in the evening hours (while you’re not perspiring) gives those sweat ducts more time to absorb the effects. You can give another swipe in the morning after showering, too. (And don't worry: There is no research to support the idea that antiperspirants can cause any ill health effects.)
Dry before you apply: Most of us barely towel off before rolling on our odour-blocker and throwing on clothes. If you can, 'wait approximately 15 minutes after showering before using antiperspirant,' says Ploch. If you’re running late, blast your pits with a blow-dryer on cool for ten seconds to speed up the process of drying before applying. (Sounds silly, but it works.)
Wash with benzoyl peroxide: Since it's the bacteria that causes the odour, consider using antibacterial agents that can reduce the bacteria on your skin to improve the smell, says Ploch, who suggests using a benzoyl peroxide body wash in concentrations less than 10 percent if you’re in need of extra protection. A word to the wise: the ingredient is strong, so make sure it's completely rinsed off your body so that you don't accidentally bleach your towels, bath mat, or clothing, says Deeptej Singh, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Sandia Dermatology.
Look for the 20 percent: If you’ve passed by the 'clinical strength protection' antiperspirants at the drugstore in the past, now is the time to try them. Concentrations of 20 percent aluminium give these bad boys an extra boost for long days. On the flip side, some folks prefer to go aluminium-free, which is also okay. 'There is a wide range of options from conventional to organic in this category,' says Dr. Singh.
Try the hand sanitizer hack: You slept in, rushed to get ready for a 9 a.m. meeting, and as you’re sitting on the train it hits you: no deodorant. In a pinch, swiping a little bacteria-fighting hand sanitizer under your arms can be a short-term solution until you can score some deodorant, says Ploch. (Skip this if you’ve recently shaved or waxed your pits—it’ll burn!)
Switch up the brand: While there are no studies proving that deodorant immunity is a thing, anecdotally, sometimes a certain brand or scent just stops working. (Blame it on your chemistry, hormones, whatever.) If you’re halfway through summer and feel like your old stick just isn’t cutting it anymore, it’s worth trying out a new brand or scent to see if it helps.
How to prevent smelly armpits
Getting rid of the stubborn odour is one thing, but preventing it is another. Here are some pointers beyond applying deodorant to keep in mind.
Wear deodorant and antiperspirant together on dry armpits.
Use glycolic pads under your arms to reduce bacteria, absorb sweat, and minimize hyperpigmentation.
Try getting Botox in you armpits every three months to reduce how much you sweat.
Re-apply aluminum-free deodorant throughout the day if you're going the more natural route.
More resources to help you survive the heatwave...
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