Why Your Armpits Still Smell After a Shower - kaia naturals (2024)

JUNE 2022 | 5 Minute Read

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It’s safe to say many of us do what is necessary to avoid odor breakthrough throughout the day, which is maintaining a personal hygiene routine that includes showering in the mornings. However, what should you do if you notice a faint odor emitting from your armpits, even after you shower?

It’s a much more common problem than you may think, so if this sounds familiar, what should you do? In this blog I will break down why this could be happening and what you can do about it.

How Body Odor Occurs

To understand how body odor occurs, we begin with our sweat glands. There are two types of sweat glands on the body:

ECCRINE GLANDS

They open directly onto your skin and can be found all over your body. When your body temperature rises, they release fluids that evaporate and help your body cool down. These fluids are often odorless.

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apocrine glands

They are found in areas where you have hair, such as your armpit and groin area. These glands release a milky fluid when you are stressed and are odorless until they come into contact with bacteria.

Hair is particularly prone to trapping bacteria, which is why men are more likely to smell even after showering. In other words,  lingering underarm odor is caused by enduring bacteria.

ODOR AFTER A SHOWER IS DUE TO LINGERING BACTERIA

Most people do not pay enough attention to their armpits in the shower, resulting in bacteria lingering in the armpits. In addition to bacteria, oftentimes there is deodorant residue and other impurities that are trapped in the underarm pores and within the hair if you have armpit hair. So the key to eliminating body odor is to tackle the bacteria growth that exists in our armpits with a proper armpit washing routine, using an antibacterial soap.

How Apple Cider Vinegar Can Eliminate Odors

A study conducted by Middlesex University tested different bacteria strains in petri dishes with apple cider vinegar and cultured them together at 37 degrees celsius for a 24-hour period. They proved that apple cider vinegar reduced bacterial growth and eliminated bacteria such as E. coli, C. albicans (which includes corynebacteria), and S. aureus. This means that apple cider vinegar creates an inhospitable environment for bacteria to grow and eliminates odors as a result.

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You may also notice that apple cider vinegar has a unique scent, which comes from acetic acid. Acetic acid and other organic acids are found to be responsible for killing bacteria by passing through the bacteria’s cell membranes and neutralizing it.

HOW TO INCORPORATE APPLE CIDER VINEGAR INTO YOUR ROUTINE

Eliminate that lingering underarm odor using these two methods:

1. Directly onto a cotton ball

Dilute apple cider vinegar with water and apply the solution directly onto a cotton ball and rub it for 30 seconds into each underarm area after you shower.

2. An antibacterial soapIf you prefer to use it in a moreconvenient form, try using an antibacterial soap the takesumi detox® underarm bar  that I created actually has this ingredient. The key is to massage this into your underarm for 30 seconds as you must ensure that your underarms are “squeaky” clean as this really ensures it leaves a barrier so bacteria cannot survive.Regardless of which method you prefer, you must apply the solution to each of your armpits for 30 seconds to truly eliminate odor causing bacteria. If you keep underarm hair, ensure you rub into the skin because of body hair.

For other great tips on this topic, check out thereviewson our underarm bar.

If you have a great tip on this subject please leave a comment on our blog as we love to learn from our readers or if you have a question please feel free to ask as I am happy to answer.

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All content found on this website is created for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website.

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@madamesweat

Clean beauty industry maven and product developer Madame Sweat (Mary Futher) founded kaia naturals after spending 20 yearsworking for global beauty companies. She now shares advice on modern hygiene etiquette for grooming, hosting, home and travel on Instagram, TikTok and her popular blog called The House of Hygiene.

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Why Your Armpits Still Smell After a Shower - kaia naturals (2024)

FAQs

Why Your Armpits Still Smell After a Shower - kaia naturals? ›

ODOR AFTER A SHOWER IS DUE TO LINGERING BACTERIA

Why do my armpits smell bad after using natural deodorant? ›

You should expect your armpits to smell a little pungent for the first couple of weeks. This is because your sweat glands are purging and getting rid of all of the built-up bacteria and chemicals that have been trapped whilst you've been using antiperspirants.

Why do my armpits smell even though I just showered? ›

Improper cleaning of your body — especially in the underarm area — when showering could lead to lingering bacteria, which leads to the smelly sweat even after you could've sworn you lathered up sufficiently.

How to remove underarm odor permanently naturally? ›

By keeping your underarms clean, using baking soda, apple cider vinegar, or lemon juice, wearing natural fibers, staying hydrated, and eating a healthy diet, you can get rid of underarm odour naturally. Give these natural remedies a try and see what works best for you.

Why do my armpits smell so bad no matter what I do? ›

Your armpits have an inherent odor that's totally normal due to apocrine and eccrine glands. Everyone's armpits smell different thanks to genetics, hormones, diet, and other factors. If your armpits suddenly smell especially foul it could be a sign of an infection that needs medical attention.

How long does it take to detox to natural deodorant? ›

If you are just switching to natural deodorant, your body may need 1-3 weeks to adjust. But if you've been using antiperspirants your whole life, it could take a bit longer as the sweat glands in your underarms are going to go through quite the adjustment.

How long does it take for armpits to detox? ›

A 2 to 4 week transition period can be expected when transitioning from antiperspirant to natural deodorant. Studies show that antiperspirant users experience a transient increase in odorous bacteria in the underarm area when they stop using antiperspirant. This is also referred to as detoxing armpits.

What kills armpit bacteria? ›

Apple cider vinegar: Mix apple cider vinegar with a small amount of water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture onto your armpits. The acid in vinegar helps kill bacteria. Lemon juice: Mix lemon juice and water in a spray bottle.

How to detox armpits? ›

To do an underarm detox, use 1 tablespoon of bentonite clay (a natural, detoxifying clay) mixed with 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, which has cleansing properties, and 1 teaspoon of water. Apply the paste to your underarms for around 10 minutes daily for a week or more until your underarm odor subsides.

How do you get rid of armpit smell even after showering? ›

ODOR AFTER A SHOWER IS DUE TO LINGERING BACTERIA

So the key to eliminating body odor is to tackle the bacteria growth that exists in our armpits with a proper armpit washing routine, using an antibacterial soap.

How to permanently stop armpit odor? ›

How to prevent smelly armpits
  1. Taking daily showers with soap. Regularly showering after strenuous activities like working out or playing sports gets rid of the bacteria and sweat that cause odors.
  2. Wearing loose-fitting, breathable fabrics like cotton, linen, and moisture-wicking blends. ...
  3. Removing hair. ...
  4. Relieving stress.

What foods get rid of smelly armpits? ›

Increasing your intake of certain nutrients helps you reduce odours. Try getting plenty of these in your diet, and see the difference. Leafy-green vegetables: Spinach, kale, lettuce, arugula and other leafy greens contain high levels of chlorophyll, which can neutralise odour-inducing components.

Does shaving armpits reduce smell? ›

When you remove hair under the armpits, it reduces trapped odor. A 2016 study involving men found that removing armpit hair by shaving significantly reduced axillary odor for the following 24 hours. Similar results were first found in a 1953 paper .

What's the best deodorant for stinky armpits? ›

Best Overall

Give your pits the protection they need with our top pick, the Uriage Clinical Strength Deodorant. It's a roll-on antiperspirant that glides on in just a few swipes to keep sweating at bay. The aluminum-based formula works by reducing underarm wetness, though it also targets odors.

What does organ failure smell like? ›

Rarely, people can have bad breath because of organ failure. A person with kidney failure may have breath that smells like ammonia or urine. Serious liver disease can make breath smell musty or like garlic and rotten eggs. Compounds that are transported through the blood can also be released through your sweat glands.

Why do armpits smell the worst? ›

The human armpit has a lot to offer bacteria. It's moist, it's warm, and it's usually dark. But when the bacteria show up, they can make a stink. That's because when some kinds of bacteria encounter sweat they produce smelly compounds, transforming the armpit from a neutral oasis to the mothership of body odor.

Can I leave apple cider vinegar on my armpits overnight? ›

Simply dip a piece of kitchen towel or a washcloth in the vinegar and rub it under your armpits. The smell of vinegar will dissipate quickly, but if you prefer, you could dab the apple cider vinegar under your armpits in the evening and leave it on overnight.

Does drinking apple cider vinegar reduce body odor? ›

Kills body odor: ACV is believed to prevent bad body odor by balancing the pH of the skin and killing bacteria that cause odor. Helps weight loss: Research suggests that apple cider vinegar can increase the feeling of fullness and thus reduce craving. This can help you eat fewer calories.

Does apple cider vinegar help with smelly armpits? ›

"Apple cider vinegar is a great natural underarm deodorant," says Georgianna Donadio, PhD. She suggests applying it directly to your armpits to kill body odor.

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