Stop the Stink: 5 Simple Steps to Prevent Body Odor
Everybody sweats. When you are performing physical activities, walking under the sun, or in a warm room – it’s completely normal to sweat. Sweating is the body’s natural way of regulating its temperature. But the awful smell that sometimes accompanies sweat can be very embarrassing, especially when you are with friends and loved ones.
The truth is, your sweat is generally generally odorless. What causes the unpleasant smell is the bacteria that build up on your sweaty skin and react with sweat and oils to grow and multiply when sweat reacts with bacteria on the skin. These bacteria break down proteins and fatty acids, causing body odor in the process.
To prevent your body from smelling – and avoid the embarrassment of body odor – you should solve the problem at its root cause: bacteria. Here are some proven tips to prevent body odor so you can stay fresh and smell good every day.
1. Shower with Antibacterial Soap
Wash away sweat and odor-causing bacteria by taking regular baths or showers. Be sure to use anti-bacterial soap as these are designed and proven to remove odor-causing bacteria.
Take time to thoroughly wash areas of the body that are more prone to sweating such as underarms and feet. Cap it off by drying yourself thoroughly to prevent bacteria from breeding on skin.
2. Use Antiperspirants or Deodorants
Antiperspirants perspiration and sweat, while deodorants mask the smell of odor-causing bacteria. To help avoid body odor, apply some antiperspirant or deodorant in the morning and before bedtime. If you can't find a product that best suits you, consult with your doctor
3. Watch Your Diet
You are what you eat. And some foods can contribute to causing body odor.
For instance, onions and garlic contain an aroma that can come out through your pores when you sweat. Caffeinated beverages and alcohol can also cause you to sweat more.
As much as possible, try to maintain a healthy diet. Remember that it may not necessarily be about completely cutting out these foods, but rather consuming them in moderation.
4. Wear Breathable Fabrics
The kind of fabric you wear can also affect how much you sweat as you go about your daily activities. Choose fabrics with better breathability such as cotton, silk, and wool to allow air to enter your clothes, and keep sweat from building up. For workout clothes, moisture-wicking, synthetic materials are best as they may be able to keep the sweat off your skin.
When you sweat less, bacteria on your skin cannot grow and multiply as easily to cause body odor. Don't forget to change your socks and wear breathable training shoes to prevent foot odor as well!
5. Do Your Laundry
Bacteria can easily accumulate and breed on used clothes, and unpleasant odor can stick when they not washed properly. Be sure to regularly wash your clothes, so the awful smell from odor-causing bacteria doesn’t stick.
In the end, the best way to prevent body odor is to maintain proper hygiene. Prevent bacteria build-up through frequent showering and hand washing with antibacterial soap like Safeguard Pure White Bar, Body Wash, and Liquid Hand Soap to gain great-smelling, long-lasting protection against odor-causing bacteria for up to 24 hours.
If all else fails, consult with your doctor if the problem persists to ask for prescriptions that can help you stop body odor.