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What Are the Different Types of Body Odor Remedies?

Rebecca Harkin
Rebecca Harkin

There are two main causes of body odor. First, it can be the result of the waste products of bacteria that digest the fatty acids and proteins found in sweat, most commonly in the armpits. There are many over-the-counter or home body odor remedies to prevent underarm odor, such as washing often and using antiperspirants, deodorants, or even turnip juice. The second cause of body odor is eating a diet with a high concentration of meat, hydrogenated oils, highly processed sugar, and white flour. Changing the diet can help this.

One of the best front-line body odor remedies in the war on a malodorous body is to wash the body daily, paying close attention to removing the sweat from the underarms and groin. This is one of the best body odor remedies because sweat is eliminated or reduced, leaving the bacteria with nothing to feed on and no odor-causing waste. The entire body should be washed at least once a day and when excessive sweat is produced, the body should be washed or at least rinsed more than once a day. Clean clothes should also be worn every day. When finished exercising, clothes should be changed immediately, the body should be washed, and sweaty garments should be cleaned as soon as possible.

A stick of deodorant.
A stick of deodorant.

Antiperspirants and deodorants are also good body odor remedies in the battle against strong body odor. An antiperspirant will reduce the amount of sweat that is produced, limiting the food for the odor-causing bacteria and the bad smell. This remedy is a good choice when a person sweats excessively. In order for a deodorant to be effective, it must contain antibacterial agents. These components will reduce the body odor by curtailing the amount of bacteria feeding on the sweat and decreasing the odor-causing bacterial waste.

A good soap or body wash and regular showering can often combat body odor.
A good soap or body wash and regular showering can often combat body odor.

There are also a variety of natural, at-home body odor remedies. Apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, or witch hazel can be applied to the underarms to shift the pH of the underarms and make it inhospitable to bacteria. Baking powder or corn starch can also be applied to the underarms to absorb and neutralize the sweat. Turnip juice, shredded and rubbed onto the underarms, is a good neutralizer of strong body odor.

Roll-on deodorant may help eliminate body odor.
Roll-on deodorant may help eliminate body odor.

The second cause of foul body odor is a poor diet. A daily sustenance composed heavily of meats, hydrogenated oils, white flour and refined sugars will cause constipation and slow digestion. The longer it takes to eliminate the byproducts of these foods, either through the bowels or by sweating, the smellier the waste. A good way of preventing body odor is to eat less meat and processed food and more fruits and vegetables. In addition, chlorophyll, in the form of wheat grass supplements, parsley, and alfalfa, is a good intrinsic deodorant, neutralizing odor-causing toxins before they are released.

Discussion Comments

Raynbow

A good way to control all kinds of body odor is to find a deodorant spray you like and use it all over your body. Using just one product will help you save money while not overpowering yourself with too many scents.

Heavanet

If you prefer natural remedies to control body odor, there are many products available that do not contain harsh chemicals, artificial fragrances, and additives like aluminum.

If you are looking for the best natural deodorant available, you will find a variety of sprays, solids, and roll ons. Look for ingredients on the product labels like flower oils, clays, and herbs that are natural odor suppressors.

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    • A stick of deodorant.
      By: karam miri
      A stick of deodorant.
    • A good soap or body wash and regular showering can often combat body odor.
      By: Dessie
      A good soap or body wash and regular showering can often combat body odor.
    • Roll-on deodorant may help eliminate body odor.
      By: Dmitry Vereshchagin
      Roll-on deodorant may help eliminate body odor.
    • Applying pure witch hazel, from the witch hazel plant, may help get rid of body odor.
      By: dianamower
      Applying pure witch hazel, from the witch hazel plant, may help get rid of body odor.
    • Apple cider vinegar is a natural solution for body odor.
      By: Comugnero Silvana
      Apple cider vinegar is a natural solution for body odor.
    • Corn starch can be used to absorb and neutralize underarm sweat.
      By: Sea Wave
      Corn starch can be used to absorb and neutralize underarm sweat.
    • Washing daily with soap and water will reduce body odor.
      By: samantha grandy
      Washing daily with soap and water will reduce body odor.
    • Excessive sweating may cause body odor.
      By: Rido
      Excessive sweating may cause body odor.
    • Washing often, especially areas like the armpits, can help to remedy body odor.
      By: Ariwasabi
      Washing often, especially areas like the armpits, can help to remedy body odor.
    • Body odor can be overwhelming.
      By: Piotr Marcinski
      Body odor can be overwhelming.