How to get rid of Body Odor: 10 Effective natural Home remedies
After the puberty stage, body odor is inevitable. But those post-workout scenes at the gym or a hectic day in the hot sun will make us a big smelly bear. “I smell the smelly smell of something that smells smelly”.
What actually causes body odor?
The other name for body odor is “Bromhidrosis”, happens at the puberty stage. During that stage, the number of Androgen hormones in your body increases. While these hormones are inactive when you’re a kid and active at puberty, your body starts producing odor. [1][2]
During workouts or while strolling in the hot sun, your body certainly produces sweat. When your body sweats, bacteria use it as a breeding ground and multiply in number. The bad odor occurs when bacteria breakdown keratin protein on the surface of your skin. In simple terms, when sweat meets bacteria, it produces odor. Finally, the victim is the smelly cat. Sounds unpleasant!
Well, here are some preventive steps and home remedies to get rid of body odor instantly. Scroll down to find out the secrets.
Home Remedies to get rid of Body Odor
Include these home remedies into your beauty routine to get rid of body odor and control sweat in no time.
1. Remedy with Oils
There are several oils which have amazing properties such as antibacterial and antiseptic properties to ward off bacteria and prevent bad smell. Some of such oils are Lavender, Sage, Peppermint, Coconut, and Tea tree essential oil. [3] A combination of these oils with other best organic ingredients can combat body odor. Here, is one of the best recipe to get rid of body odor.
You’ll need:
- 10 drops Peppermint oil
- 2 Tbsp Baking soda
- 2 Tbsp Cornstarch
- 4 drops of Coconut oil
- Distilled Water
Method
Mix all the ingredients thoroughly and apply to your underarms every day by storing the mix in a refrigerator. This mix with peppermint oil, baking soda, coconut oil, and corn starch will keep your underarms dry and fresh. Therefore, dry armpits will produce no odor.
Peppermint oil has antibacterial properties which fight off bacteria and the other ingredients leave your underarms dry and sweat-free.
2. Apple cider vinegar
Being acidic in nature, apple cider vinegar has the ability to kill the bacteria accumulated in various parts of your body because of sweat. Like baking soda, apple cider vinegar can also keep your skin dry thereby preventing bad odor. [4] When lemon and baking soda is added to apple cider vinegar, it lowers skin’s pH
You’ll need:
- 2 tbsp Baking soda
- 1 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
Method
Mix appropriate proportions of each ingredient in a mixing bowl and blend them until well combined. Apply the mix to your underarms or other sweaty areas. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and wash off. You can use this every day to lighten your skin and prevent body odor.
3. Green Tea
The amazing antioxidants in green tea help combat body odor, making it hard for odor-causing bacteria to survive. While the topical application of green tea helps to keep your skin dry, drinking green tea every day can help to get rid of toxins from your body. [5]
You’ll need:
- Green tea leaves
- Water
Method
To the boiling water, add a few green tea leaves. Allow the solution to cool down and then topically apply it over sweat-prone areas. You could also steep green tea bag and pour the solution in a spray bottle, to use it as a natural deodorant.
4. Rosewater
Rosewater acts as an astringent to decrease the size of pores thereby inhibiting sweat production. Also, rose water helps to soothe the underarms or any part of your body.
You’ll need:
- 5 drops of Rosewater
- Cotton ball
Method
Pour 5 drops of Rosewater into a small bowl. Dip a cotton ball into the solution and rub it all over the sweat-prone areas. You can also use rosewater spray as deodorant since it leaves a floral fragrance.
5. Neem Leaves
Neem leaves can be used for varied health and beauty purposes. From treating health ailments to reducing skin problems, neem leaves can work wonders on your body. The antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic properties of neem leaves will block the sweat, removes toxins, and help to eliminate bad odor from the body. [6]
You’ll need:
- A handful of Neem leaves
- Water
Method
Firstly, grind the neem leaves to make a smooth paste. Apply the paste over sweat-prone areas on your body. Allow it to dry and then wash off. In the second method, you can boil neem leaves in water. Later, strain the leaves by collecting the solution. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and use it as a deodorant.
6. Cornstarch
Cornstarch has antibacterial properties which do not allow bacteria to accumulate with the skin. In addition, cornstarch mainly keeps your skin dry.
You’ll need:
- Cornstarch powder
- Water
Method
Dust the cornstarch powder all over the sweat-prone areas in your body and leave it for the rest of the day. This is a perfect natural deodorant to use instead of chemical deodorants.
7. Tomato Juice
Tomato is also an effective remedy to fight body odor because of its incredible properties. The antibacterial and antiseptic properties of tomato juice remove the bacteria from your skin thereby controlling bad odor. Moreover, drinking a glass of tomato juice can regulate your body temperature, thus reducing sweat. [7]
You’ll need:
- 2 cups of Tomato juice
- 1 bucket warm water
Method
To the bathtub filled with warm water, add 2 cups of tomato juice. Soak in the water for 20 minutes and relax. This is also the best way to lighten dark complexion areas.
8. Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol has antibacterial properties which could eliminate bacteria from the surface of your skin. Thereby, your body never smells bad. [8]
You’ll need:
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Water
Method
Take some drops of rubbing alcohol to the cotton pad and apply it to your underarms. You can use this solution to sensitive areas such as underarms.
9. Baking Soda
Baking soda with the combination of lemon juice can effectively kill the bacteria causing bad odor. They prevent the formation of sweat, alkalizes the body, and reduce the smell. [9]
You’ll need:
- 1 tbsp Baking soda
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
Method
Mix both the ingredients and apply the paste to your underarms or other sweat-prone areas. Leave it on for 15 minutes and rinse off. Do this daily for a few weeks. This treatment removes bacteria and also help with skin lightening.
Read more: Does Baking soda helps with lightening Underarms?
10. Use Probiotic Deodorant
Probiotics are useful for gut health, but did you know they also keep your skin odor-free? Probiotics are good bacteria which completely inhibit the growth of bad bacteria. You can get odor-free underarm just by using a probiotic homemade deodorant. Here’s an amazing recipe suggested by Dr.Axe,
You’ll need:
- 1/4 cup Baking soda
- 1/4 cup Coconut Oil
- 3 tbsp Arrowroot powder
- 1/4 cup Shea butter
- 1/4 cup Beeswax
- 10 drops of Tea tree oil
- 3 probiotic Capsules
- 10 drops of Lavender oil (for women)
- 10 drops of Bergamot (for men)
- Empty Deodorant containers
Method
Begin the process by melting beeswax and coconut oil by using a double boiler process. Then, stir both the ingredients thoroughly to get well combined. Now, add other ingredients and stir. Once all get combined, transfer the mix into an empty deodorant container. Allow the mixture to cool and harden before use.
Preventive steps to get rid of Bad Body odor
If you want to be fresh and odor-free, follow these tips, 
1. Keep your underarms dry
You need to ensure that your underarms are dry and soft all throughout the day. Keeping your underarms dry could make bacteria have a hard time to breed on your skin. To keep the underarms dry, you need not use commercial antiperspirants or deodorants day in and day out but switch to natural remedies mentioned above which act effectively as a natural deodorant.
2. Don’t use Sweaty gym clothes
It’s obvious that when you work out, you’re body produces sweat thereby producing a foul smell. That being said, if too much sweat is your primary concern, don’t use the clothing stuff again and again. For instance, if you hit the gym several times a day, then wear new gym clothes each time you hit the gym. Similarly, wherever you go, don’t wear sweaty clothes instead wash off with a nice floral detergent.
3. Shave your Underarms
Shaving underarms regularly prevents the accumulation of bacteria in the underarms, thus it reduces sweat and odor. Follow these shaving tips, if you’re concerned about shaving your armpits – “7 Shaving mistakes you should avoid immediately!“.
4. Change your Socks
Other than underarms, bad odor produces from the feet if you’re wearing the same pair of socks repeatedly throughout the whole week. Especially when you’re in air-conditioned rooms, the more foul odor comes from your socks. Therefore, wash your socks every day with an antibacterial detergent such as Dettol.
Moreover, your shoes also start smelling bad when you use them repeatedly. So, sprinkle some baking soda into your shoes to keep them dry and odor-free. Sometimes, spray a nice perfume or deodorant to the shoes.
5. Change your Diet
There are some strong-smelling foods such as garlic, onion, oils, and fatty foods. They tend to seep through your pores and produce a bad odor. So, always watch out what kind of food types are good for your body and what are not.
6. Consult a Doctor
If you’re having an excessive sweating condition called “hyperhidrosis”, talk to your doctor. That’s because excessive sweating can sometimes happen because of any pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes. So, whatever might be the reason, undergo the treatments prescribed by your health care professional to prevent severe sweating.
7. Do regular baths
Sometimes you get drenched by the sweat which comes all along from your hair. If you leave the hair without washing for several days, it produces a foul smell. Therefore, wash your hair more frequently, at least thrice a week.
8. Choose Deodorants or antiperspirant wisely
These days most of the commercial Deo’s or Antiperspirants are formulated with many harmful ingredients that perhaps cause breast cancer or several skin issues. Therefore, you need to choose a deodorant wisely. To prevent body odor, switch to more natural or aluminum-free and alcohol-free deodorants.
To eliminate the body odor and attack the bacteria, you can also switch to more natural antibacterial soap which leaves your armpits squeaky clean and fresh.
Read more: 25 Best Natural (Aluminum-free) Deodorants for men and women
Up to the very end!
These are some of the effective home remedies and essential preventive measures to get rid of bad odor, sweat, and bacteria. Follow these tips and let us know your experience by leaving a comment below.
