Wouldn't it be great if we all smelled like oranges instead?
Body odor is weird. I mean, is it really necessary? What makes us smell so bad? And why do some people smell worse than others? Where does it even come from in the first place?
All are valid questions. And thanks to some other scientists who've had the same questions, we are several steps closer to understanding the complexity of body odor.
(Note: We've also attached a Ted-Ed video in the middle of this article that does a great job explaining body odor with animations. Check it out if you're interested!)
It's not you.
Although you might think it's your body odor because it's coming from you, that's not exactly the case. You see, your sweat has no odor. So, if it were up to only you, you actually wouldn't smell at all. But, unfortunately, you probably do smell... And there's a good reason for it.
We all have sweat glands. And those glands can be broken down into two different types: eccrine and apocrine. Eccrine glands are found all over your body and release sweat made mostly of water and salt. Apocrine glands, on the other hand, are highly concentrated where your hair follicles are located. This includes your groin and, of course, your armpits. Instead of a primarily salt water solution, apocrine sweat also contains proteins and fats. And this is where it gets stinky!
Blame your bacteria.
Salt water is not great food for bacteria. Just like you, they would much rather eat something with more flavor, specifically those proteins and fats in apocrine sweat. By itself, even the apocrine sweat is odorless. But as soon as those bacteria start digesting the nutritious compounds that it contains, they convert the odorless compounds into some awfully foul-smelling ones. Some of these compounds take flight into the air and find their way to your nostrils, which results in a less than pleasant experience. But exactly how your body odor smells depends on a few factors.
What kind of B.O. do you have?
The first factor to consider is genetics. Your genes tell your body what kind of compounds to produce in your sweat. And it's true that some of us have better smelling genes than others. In fact, there are even some individuals who hardly have any body odor at all. So, you can thank your parents for your unique smell.
Next, take a look at what you eat and drink. Some research indicates that foods high in sugar or not-so-good fats can make your sweat smell worse. And alcohol can do the same. There is also some evidence that certain vegetables can contribute to bad odor, but we'd recommend that you concentrate on the other three. On top of that, make sure to drink plenty of water! You know how bad your urine can smell if you are dehydrated? Well the same goes for your armpits. Less water means more concentrated (and stinkier) sweat.
Did you know that what you wear can also have an effect? Synthetic materials like polyester can hold in your odor more than natural fabrics like cotton. Be sure to wear loose-fitting, breathable clothes when possible.
Have you ever noticed that you smell worse after sweating through a big presentation than after a routine workout? Well, you can thank your sympathetic (fight-or-flight) nervous system for that! Adrenaline causes your body to produce more sweat through your apocrine glands, giving the bacteria more food to snack on. So, remember to take some deep breaths and just relax. Stress is not your armpit's friend.
But it all comes back to those bacteria. The exact microbial composition of your armpits (based on both the hereditary and lifestyle factors listed) is responsible for the various ratios of the smelly compounds that are produced and, as a result, your overall body odor.
What causes body odor? - Mel Rosenberg (Ted-Ed)
So, what can you do about B.O.?
Luckily, there are some proven solutions to this smelly phenomenon. And, hopefully, you've already incorporated some of them into your daily routine.
Take a shower.
First thing, wash your pits (and the rest of your body too)! Soap and water can remove the majority of the bacteria and other microorganisms that are living on the surface of your armpits, meaning that there will be less smelly bacteria to break down your sweat. But soap and water can't get rid of them all. And it certainly doesn't do anything for you the rest of the day when bacteria are repopulating your armpits. For this reason, you need some reinforcements.
Put some deodorant on.
Deodorant does what your soap and water cannot do. It fights against those microorganisms, even when you are out of the shower. Some deodorants work by killing bacteria directly with alcohols or antimicrobial chemicals like triclosan. Others work by creating an external environment where the bacteria are unable to survive and reproduce. This is particularly true of baking soda deodorants, which have a very high pH. The typical pH of your armpit is typically between 4.5-6, which is the acidity that your bacteria prefer. The drastic increase in alkalinity prevents bacteria from continuing to grow and take over your armpits.
Use it after showering.
Many individuals (and doctors) find that deodorant is most effective when used after showering, before the bacteria have a chance to grow. If you shower at night and wait until the morning, the bacteria will have already had several hours to repopulate. If you feel the need to reapply in the morning too, go for it! Just remember, if you shave your armpits, wait 15 minutes before applying your deodorant.
Now, if you are someone who says, "No way! My pits need need to breathe at night, I'm not going to wear deodorant", that's okay too. Just know that you will have a greater chance of getting smellier quicker. For this reason, we recommend a deodorant that is capable of eliminating odors after they have already begun. Deodorants with baking soda are the absolute best when it comes to this, but other natural deodorants with ingredients like diatomaceous earth or activated charcoal can work too.
A word about antiperspirants.
Antiperspirants do more than eliminate odor. The major "advantage" that they have over standard deodorants is that they also reduce the amount of sweat that is released from your pores. Typically, antiperspirants are made with a type of aluminum salt that dissolves into moisture found on the surface of your armpit. This creates a gel that sits on top of the your skin pores, preventing sweat from being released. There is no clear evidence as to the correlation between aluminum-based antiperspirants and breast cancer, but why take any chances? Our bodies were designed to sweat and trying to fight against our own bodies doesn't seem to make much sense to us.
Make your own at-home odor fighters.
Apart from cosmetics created specifically for your armpits, there are a few things that you can try at home to help with odors, too. Read our article Home Remedies for Body Odor to learn how!
Is this your first time using all natural deodorant? If so, we've got a few tips for you! Read through our First Time User's Guide to get started on the right foot.
Curious as to how we specifically target those smelly bacteria with our ingredients? Check out what we use here!
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