People tend to judge us by the way we smell because it tells a lot about our personal hygiene which reflects on our personal brand. How you smell has the ability to either attract or repel others. When it’s a pungent smell, it tends to affect your confidence and, ultimately, your social life. So it is super important that you take extra caution about what smells you give off, thus, ensuring you have no body odor that could become the talk of the town.
We can all agree that we smell a bit off now and then. A bad smell can hit you after a workout or worse, in the middle of a party where you were just about to fling your arms in the air and have a good time. Although every individual has a unique scent determined by factors like age, gender, and diet, environmental and lifestyle choices can also affect the body’s natural pH, which contributes to the presence of body odor.
What causes body odor?
We all sweat, but who loves the stink that comes after? Absolutely no one! But contrary to what we have always known, sweating is not the key issue. Rather, body odor results from how your sweat interacts with the bacteria on your skin, thereby producing a bad scent.
Here are the easiest ways to prevent body odor and keep your confidence level up…
#1. Be intentional with personal hygiene
This has to be the most important step in fighting the stink. You should bathe at least once a day, but preferably twice, using antibacterial soaps, especially after workouts or any activity that requires you to sweat. Top it up by drying yourself properly as moist areas encourage the breaking down of bacteria into pungent substances.
Be sure to pay attention to body parts that are prone to sweating, like the armpits. Also, shave the armpits regularly because hair slows down the evaporation process. Mama was right; you shouldn’t skip your regular baths and overall personal hygiene.
#2. Regularly wash clothing
Regardless of how hectic or not your day was, it isn’t a good idea to wear dirty clothes, even if it isn’t stained. As you go through your day, bacteria go partying on your skin, and consequently, your clothes. The longer you leave your clothes unwashed, the party gets intense and can breed more bacteria that assist in body odor. Avoid this sorry state by washing your clothes regularly.
#3. Reduce stress
You may not realize this but stress plays a role in festering body odor. When we’re stressed, the apocrine glands, which are responsible for sweat, activate. Therefore, keeping your stress levels low can have an impact on the way you smell.
#4. Use antiperspirants/deodorants
There are people you know who don’t seem to need this, but for most of us, antiperspirants are a lifesaver. They contain aluminum chloride, which controls underarm sweating when applied. Using this twice a day keeps the stench away, preferably in the morning before you head out and at bedtime right after a shower (this helps the antiperspirant work better because you’re in a state of rest and not sweaty).
If you have a more severe case of BO, there are antiperspirants that are of higher strength. They don’t necessarily need to be prescribed, which means that you can easily get one over the counter. Also, consider keeping deodorant in your car and in the office. A few swipes a day keeps the judgy stares away.
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#5. Eat consciously
We all know that garlic is extremely beneficial to our health, but we don’t need to be reminded that it is strong smelling and can seep through the pores. The same goes for onions, curry, and fatty foods. Also, alcohol, caffeinated drinks, and smoking can cause you to sweat more while leaving their unpleasant smell on you, which will definitely contribute to body odor issues.
You don’t have to cut out these foods from your diet completely, but it’s all about consuming them in moderate portions and at the right time. You can’t choose to nibble on garlic 20 minutes before an important meeting or event. Understanding that you are what you eat will go a long way in helping you make better diet choices.
#6. Wear natural fabrics
There’s a reason why people don’t wear polyester gym clothes anymore, and that sexy silk blouse might be one of the reasons that pungent smell skyrocketed. While you might want to stay on your fashion A-game, avoid fabrics that trap sweat against the skin, or you might end up slaying folks with body odor instead.
For workouts, avoid wearing nylon, polyester, and rayon like a plague. Opt for natural fabrics like cotton, which allows sweat to evaporate easily. As much as it lies within your power, avoid tight-fitting clothes, and wear more loose, airy outfits. Think osmosis! You need space for that air exchange to get any funny smells off your body and fresh air onto it.
#7. Go the natural way
Mother nature always has our back. She should be visualized with a cape on and a big “S” crested on her chest. From apple cider vinegar to lemons, there are many natural ways to keep body odor at bay. You can add apple cider vinegar or tomato juice to your daily bath and soak your whole body to restore balance to your skin.
You can also ward off body odor by mixing baking soda and corn starch (50/50) and applying it to your armpits or mixing lemon juice and enough baking soda to form a paste and applying it to your armpits a few minutes before a bath.
Lemon is a natural deodorant and can be applied to the armpits after a shower. However, if you just shaved, this might not be a good idea because it stings.
Sometimes, you have done all you can, but that smell just won’t go away. Although rare, body odor can also result from an underlying medical condition and/or genetics. In this case, you might want to see your GP and ask your doctor about prescription antiperspirants.
These simple yet potent ways of reducing body odor will help you smell better and slay better!
…sure honey, you are welcome.
Featured image: Rômulo Carolino/Pexels
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