How To Get Rid Of Body Odor Naturally

Whether it’s strong or offensive, body odor is a sensitive issue that is commonly addressed by health and fragrance companies to temporarily quench the stench. Dousing in these chemicals and artificial-scent sprays only shield body odor for a short duration, but they fail to treat the underlying cause of these nose-pinching smells. Luckily, there are natural, fresher, and cleaner approaches to tackle undesirable body odor to treat this embarrassing problem Occasional, mild body odor is normal but excessive or unpleasant body odor can be a source of great discomfort for others and very embarrassing for you.(0)

In order to practice good hygiene, it’s important to know how body odor often occurs. Insufficient bathing or poor hygiene can lead to an unpleasant odor secreted by the apocrine glands, located in the underarms, and the eccrine glands, found in the underarms, hands, and feet, when they interact with skin bacteria.

Eccrine glands: These glands are found throughout the body. The sweat produced by the eccrine glands reaches the surface of the skin via certain ducts. They are usually responsible for maintaining our body temperature (1)

Apocrine glands: These glands are usually responsible for the foul odor produced by our body. The apocrine glands are usually found in our armpits, eyelids, genital area, and breasts. They are responsible for the secretion of fat droplets in breast milk and the production of earwax in the ears. In the armpits and groin, these glands usually give off an odor and are therefore known as scent glands (2)

The sebaceous glands, located in the scalp, face, and chest, produce oil, which has a slight odor with or without bacteria. “If people have poor hygiene bacteria can build up on the skin and create more than just bad body odor”

Body odor can be treated with over-the-counter medicines or by practicing good hygiene. There are also simple and natural home remedies that get rid of body odor by controlling the growth of bacteria and reducing excessive sweating.

Home Remedies for Body Odor:

Bath or shower regularly:

Since bacteria reacting with the sweat produced by your sweat glands causes body odor, it is important to bathe or shower regularly. Use a gentle, plant-oil based soap and lather up. The greater the amount of lather and the longer you lather up, the more effective you are likely to be in removing bacteria from your skin(3)

Not all soap is antibacterial, nor do you necessarily need antibacterial soap. Try using peppermint castile soap when you shower. Peppermint oil is mildly antiseptic and can help fight body odor.

Although soap-and-water showers are best, rinsing the skin with water is better than nothing. Scrubbing with sand or even just a washcloth helps dislodge bacteria and oils is even more effective. This can be an issue in situations like camping.

Baking Soda:

As baking soda helps absorb moisture from the skin, it can absorb sweat and reduce body odor(4) Plus, it kills bacteria and works as a natural deodorant.

You will need

1.  1 tbsp, baking soda
2.  1 tbsp, lemon juice

How to use it:

1. Mix one tablespoon each of baking soda and lemon juice.
2. Mix one tablespoon each of baking soda and lemon juice.
3. Leave it on for a couple of minutes and wash it off with water.
4. Do not scrub. Then take a shower or bath.
5. You can do this once daily for a few weeks

Coconut Oil:

Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, which is known to eliminate the bacteria present in our body, thus helping in getting rid of body odor(5)

You will need

1. Coconut oil
2. 1 teaspoon of citric acid powder
3. 1 cup of water

How to use it:

1. Rub a small amount of coconut oil directly on the sweat-prone areas of your body.
2. For foul body odor, mix the citric acid powder with water and use it as the last rinse before you step out of the shower. Concentrate on the armpits and the groin area.
3. Towel dry your body and apply coconut oil.
4. You can use it daily..

Tea Tree Oil:

Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic and is also well known for its antibacterial properties (6). Being an antiseptic, tea tree oil can help in warding off the bacteria and fungus present on the skin, which, in turn, prevents the occurrence of foul odor.

You will need

2 tbsp, tea tree oil

2 tbsp, water

How to use it

1. Dilute the tea tree oil with water.
2. Dab the mixture directly on your underarms and other areas.
3. Follow this regimen daily for best results..

Lemon Juice:

Lemon juice is a universal remedy. It works effectively to get rid of body odor. This is because lemon juice contains citric acid,(7) an active ingredient that makes your skin acidic when applied. The presence of acid in the skin will limit and control the growth of odor-associated bacteria

You will need

1. Cup, water (optional)
2. Cup, lemon juice
3. Cotton balls

How to use it

1. Cut one fresh lemon into two halves
2. Rub one half of the lemon on your underarms. 
3. Make sure the juice gets onto your skin
4. Allow it to dry on its own, and then take your shower
5. Follow this remedy once daily until the odor is gone completely.
6. Alternatively If you have sensitive skin, you can dilute the juice from half a lemon in one-half cup of water
7. Apply it to your underarms using a cotton ball
8. Leave it on for 10 minutes
9. Then wash it off with water
10. You can do this once daily until you notice an improvement

Apple Cider Vinegar:

Apple cider vinegar. Its antiseptic properties kill bacteria and balance out the pH level of your skin. Whether its apple cider or white can help lower the pH level of the skin for an anti-bacteria environment.(8)

You will need

1. Apple cider vinegar
2. Cotton balls
3. Water (optional)

How to Use it 

1. Apple cider vinegar can be directly applied to your underarms and other body parts using a cotton ball.
2. Alternatively, half a cup of ACV can be mixed with one cup of water and used as a deodorant.
3. As this is a natural alternative to store-bought deodorants, it can be used on a regular basis as per one’s requirement.

Rosemary:

Rosemary inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria.(9) It also contains menthol and chlorophyll, which have natural deodorant properties that neutralize strong body odor and also lend a nice fragrance to your body. Plus, it has zinc, of which a deficiency can cause body odor.

You will need

1. ½ cup, dried rosemary leaves
2. ½ cup, hot water

How to use it

1. Add one-half cup of dried rosemary leaves to four cups of hot water
2. Allow it to steep for 10 minutes
3. Then add it to your bathwater. Soak in this bathwater for 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Pat dry your skin
5. Follow this remedy once daily to smell nice throughout the day.

Note: If rosemary causes any kind of irritation, discontinue its use.

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Epsom salt:

Epsom salt is an antioxidant and is known to detoxify our bodies. It also helps our body produce a hormone called serotonin, which helps it to relax. These properties of Epsom salt relieve stress and this, in turn, decreases sweat production, thereby eliminating foul odor from our body(10)

You will need

1. Epsom salt
2. Hot water

How to use it

Fill a bathtub or jacuzzi with hot water and pour about 2 to 3 cups of Epsom salt into it.
Soak in the bath and relax.

You can try this treatment 3 times a week for best results.

WATCH WHAT YOU EAT:

Your diet affects the smell you put off  for better and for worse(11) Here's a list of diet dos and don’ts to prevent body odor.

DOS:

1. Fruits and non-sulfurous vegetables
2. Herbs
3. Yogurt
4. Kefir
5. Kombucha
6. Pickles
7. Fresh sauerkraut

 DON’TS:

1. Spicy foods
2. Foods with garlic and onion
3. Too much red meat
4. Processed Foods
5. Sulfurous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower
6. Excess caffeine and alcohol
7. Don't get called out for noticeable B.O. Adopt these body odor-fighting methods to avoid getting labeled "the smelly guy" at the bar or office.

Drink plenty of water:

Hydrated skin is generally problem-free. Hence, make sure to drink at least 8-10 tall glasses of water per day. Water flushes down toxins found in the body and keeps your skin hydrated. When toxins are rid, the odor can be rid too.(12)

Tips To Reduce Body Odor:

1. Try and stick to an all-natural and aluminum-free deodorant.
2. Shower daily.
3. Spritz vinegar or rubbing alcohol on the sweat-prone areas.
4. Take green supplements such as chlorophyll or wheatgrass to combat body odor internally.
5. Wear clothing made of cotton so that your skin can breathe freely.
6. Use a natural sanitizer such as tea tree oil to wipe the sweat-prone areas from time to time.
7. Adopt a diet with less spicy food.
8. Detoxify your body regularly by consuming fenugreek seeds and green tea