Body odour is completely normal. However, that doesn’t make it any less awkward when it shows up during a meeting, at the gym, on a date, or when trying to get through a hot day.
If you’re wondering how to stop armpit smell, the good news is that there are several simple, natural and effective steps you can take to manage your body odour. Let’s break down why body odour happens in the first place and what you can do to control it—naturally.
Why Does Armpit Smell Happen?
Sweating is one of the body’s healthiest functions—it helps us keep cool and release toxins. But sweat itself isn’t actually smelly. What causes odour is the interaction between sweat and the bacteria that live on our skin, especially in warm, damp areas like our underarms.
Our armpits are home to a special kind of sweat gland called apocrine glands, which release a thicker type of sweat that’s rich in proteins. Those proteins are a buffet for bacteria, and the result? Body odour. To work out how to stop body odour, it helps to understand what fuels it—and how we can naturally disrupt that cycle.
1. Wash Well—and Often
This might seem obvious, but starting with the basics is important. Washing your underarms daily with warm water and soap helps reduce the bacteria that cause odour in the first place. If you’ve been extra active or it’s hot out, a second quick rinse or wipe-down during the day can work wonders.
2. Dry Off Properly
Once you’re clean, take a moment to completely dry your underarms before getting dressed or applying deodorant. Damp skin gives bacteria a head start. A quick towel dry or even a bit of air-drying can help keep things in check.
3. Choose a Deodorant That Works With Your Body
You don’t need to stop sweating entirely to smell good. In fact, sweating is healthy. The trick is managing odour—not blocking your sweat glands.
That’s where natural deodorants come in. Unlike antiperspirants (which use aluminium to plug your sweat glands), natural deodorants let your body breathe while absorbing moisture and neutralising odour.
Look for ingredients like:
- Magnesium or baking soda - to fight odour.
- Arrowroot or tapioca starch - to absorb moisture.
- Essential oils or coconut oil - for their antibacterial properties.
If you’re trying to figure out how to control underarm odour without synthetic chemicals, switching to a clean, effective formula can make a huge difference.
4. You Are What You Eat
Believe it or not, your diet can influence how you smell. Foods like garlic, onions, red meat and alcohol can make body odour stronger for some people. Drinking plenty of water and loading up on fresh fruit, veggies and leafy greens can help your body smell fresher from the inside out. It’s not about being perfect—just being mindful of how certain foods affect you.
5. Choose Breathable Fabrics
Clothing makes a difference too. Synthetic fabrics like polyester can trap heat and sweat against your skin. Natural fabrics such as cotton, linen, bamboo or merino wool allow your body to breathe and sweat to evaporate more easily. Remember to change your shirt after a workout or a particularly sweaty day to prevent lingering odour.
6. Trim Your Underarm Hair
Body hair is totally natural—but if you’re dealing with persistent odour, trimming or shaving your underarms can help. Hair can trap sweat and bacteria, giving odour more time to develop. Even trimming things a little can improve airflow and let your deodorant do its job more effectively.
7. Try a Natural Odour Fighter
If you’re into home remedies, here are a few simple options that may help reduce odour-causing bacteria. However, always patch test before trying anything new, especially if you’ve got sensitive skin.
- Witch hazel (a natural astringent)
- Apple cider vinegar (balances skin pH)
- Diluted tea tree oil (antibacterial)
- Lemon juice (acidic, but use with caution on sensitive or freshly shaved skin)
8. Stay Hydrated
Water helps your body function better. Staying well-hydrated can also help flush out odour-causing compounds and regulate your body temperature, which may reduce how much you sweat in the first place.
9. Manage Stress
Stress sweat smells different—it’s produced by the same apocrine glands responsible for strong odour. That’s why sweat from nerves or anxiety often smells stronger than sweat from heat or exercise. Taking a few minutes each day to breathe, stretch or step outside can help lower your stress levels—and possibly your body odour, too.
10. Let Your Pits Breathe
If you’ve been wearing deodorant daily for years, consider giving your skin a break now and then. Going deodorant-free for a night, or even a few hours on the weekend, can help your skin microbiome stay balanced. It also gives you a chance to notice any changes in how your body naturally regulates odour.
The answer to stopping armpit smell doesn’t have to come in the form of harsh sprays or chemical-laden sticks. With a bit of awareness and a few small lifestyle tweaks you can feel fresher and more confident, naturally.
