Now that the sweater weather is behind us, comes the days of sweat, and with perspiration comes the stink of body odor. BO plagues women, who always want to smell fresh and sweet like a garden of roses, but it isn’t always possible. How to smell good throughout the day is a riddle we are always trying to solve.
Perspiration is the mechanism to cool the body during summer. We have 2 types of sweat glands- eccrine and apocrine. The eccrine glands are located all over the body and open directly on the skin surface, while the apocrine glands are found near the areas with hair follicles like underarm and groin. These glands open into hair follicles and from there it stems to the surface.
Sweat itself doesn’t have any smell but it is the bacteria that are present in our body, which breaks down the protein in the sweat and leads to the foul smell. Body odor or bromhidrosis often leads to an embarrassing situation. Some people sweat excessively and are known as hyperhidrosis.
How to Smell Good All Day?
The million-dollar question arises on how to get rid of body odor? Many products are available in the market that allows you to smell good like antiperspirants- which block the pores, thus, reducing the production of sweat, while deodorants mask the smell of the stink but it doesn’t last for long. Most of these products contain aluminum chlorides.
When buying deodorants and antiperspirants check the composition and carry a travel size version of your favorite perfume so that you can dab them when the need arises. Apply the perfume on your pulse points like the nape of your neck, your wrist, the bend of your elbow, behind the knees, and the small of the back. it will allow the fragrance to mix with your body’s natural smell.
It is better to use a roll-on version, since it allows maximum exposure. You can also rub your favorite scented body lotion after taking a shower. But if you are trying to discard chemical products from your life, then don’t worry we have some natural solution for you.
How to Smell Good Naturally?
‘How to get rid of body odor remedies’ is a much-searched topic during the summer months, and we are providing you with a comprehensive guide of natural ingredients that will help keep the stink at bay.
1. Bath Twice A Day
Maintaining personal hygiene is of utmost significance and there is no alternative to it. Take a regular shower and use antibacterial soap for the best result, as it helps in removing accumulated sweat, dead skin cells, and bacteria. Pay special attention to your butt, groin, and armpits. Also, towel dry yourself properly, as wet areas become breeding ground for odor-producing microorganisms. Remember to brush twice a day and also rinse your mouth after every meal. Chew on some sugar-free mints or gums to avoid bad breath.
2. Hair Removal Helps
Shaving or waxing armpit hair will make you feel and smell fresh. The hair follicles trap the sweat and turn it into the breeding ground for bacteria. Keeping it clean will help reduce the sweat stench.
3. Clothes play an important role
Change your clothes, lingerie, and socks regularly. Discard your gym clothes after each session, if you continue wearing the wet clothes it will lead to stink. It is best to wear natural breathable fabrics like cotton and linen. Wash your clothes by soaking them in vinegar or baking soda to remove the foul smell of perspiration.
4. You sweat what you consume
Some food makes your sweat smell worse and its best to avoid them- spicy food, garlic and onion, red meat, caffeine, alcohol, processed food, and vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower. Smelly cat, smelly cat, what are they feeding you?
5. Baking soda and cornstarch to the rescue
Mix equal parts of baking soda and cornstarch and apply it to your underarms- it will keep ward of sweat and the breeding ground of bacteria thus eliminating body odor. You can use it as a natural alternative to talcum powder.
6. Turn into a fish
Drinking water will help in cooling your body, eliminating waste as well as combat dehydration. Recollect your mother saying that how to smell good depends on how much water you consume.
7. Apple Cider Vinegar a day keeps the stink away
Apple Cider Vinegar is a product with a solution for most malady – it also helps in maintaining the pH and minimizing the presence of bacteria. You can add ACV to your bath water or dab some on your armpit 15 minutes prior to taking a shower.
8. Smell like lemon
Does a quick pit check make you cringe? Don’t worry we got you covered. Make a paste of lemon juice and baking soda and apply it in your underarms prior to taking a shower. If that is too much of an effort, add lemon juice to the affected area after taking a bath.
9. Put your faith in tomatoes
If you are still wondering how to smell good this summer, then take a tomato bath once a week. It helps in curbing the BO as well as helps in shrinking the pores, thus, reducing the amount of sweat produced. Juice about 8 tomatoes and mix it with your bath water and notice considerable improvement.
10. Essential oils necessary to reduce body odor
Essential oils like Tea tree oil, lavender oil, and sage oil among others work wonder for combating BO. Tea tree oil has antibacterial properties and when applied daily by mixing it equal parts with water.
Lavender oil when mixed with cornstarch and baking soda talc mixture will not only prohibit the growth of odor-causing bacteria but will also make you smell fresh. Sage oil can be turned into a natural body mist- by simply diluting it with water and storing it in a spritz bottle, You can apply it on your body but avoid sensitive areas like your genitalia.
11. Drink some herbal tea
You might be wondering how to smell good by drinking tea. Having fenugreek or fennel tea in the morning can prove to be extremely beneficial. Add a teaspoon of either fenugreek or fennel seed, whichever taste you prefer, to about 250 ml water and boil it until the quantity is halved. Drink it every morning on an empty stomach.
You can also drink green tea. Herbal teas are a good source of antioxidants and also have antibacterial properties. They purge the cause of body odor from within.
12. Rosewater is the ultimate way to combat BO
Rosewater is an astringent and helps in reducing the size of the pores. Spritz it regularly after bath to get the best result.
13. Neem leaves
One of the best ways to smell good naturally is by using neem leaves. You can either make a paste of the neem leaves or apply it to the affected areas or you can also boil it in water and use it as a final rinse while bathing. Neem leaves have antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic properties.
With little effort and changes in lifestyle you combat this common malady. Stinking doesn't suit any lady and these methods will help you smell fresh naturally.
Also Read: Ways To Get A Good Smell In Vagina