14 Useful Home Remedies To Treat Underarm Odor

One of the most embarrassing things could be underarm odor. There are a lot of deodorants which help in reducing the pungent smell of your underarm. However, for those who love home remedies, we have mentioned some of the best home remedies to treat underarm odor.

Underarm odor is primarily associated with the Apocrine glands, which are the glands responsible for the milk secretion in the breasts as well as formation of earwax in the ears, and also help in sweat secretion in underarms, nipples, and the genital area. The sweat that these apocrine glands produce also produces the odor. This underarm odor can be really frustrating at times. So, here below are some of the home remedies which can be used to get rid of the underarm odor.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar:

   Apple cider vinegar is one of the best home remedies to treat underarm odor. The acidic nature of ACV or apple cider vinegar and the antimicrobial properties, together can neutralize the environment in the area in your underarm.⁽¹⁾ This aids in destroying the bacteria which causes odor. Using apple cider vinegar regularly can even help in preventing the bacterial accumulation.

   For using this as a remedy you will require one small bowl of ACV and few cotton balls. Simply take the apple cider vinegar in one small ball and dip a cotton ball in it and then apply it on your underarms directly. You should do this twice regularly, every morning and night to get best results.

2. Iodine:

   Iodine can be used as another useful home remedy to treat underarm odor. It helps in sterilizing the armpits or the underarm area and in restoring the pH level because of its antiseptic properties.⁽²⁾ This home remedy helps you get rid of underarm odor overtime.

   For using this as a home remedy you will require a few drops of iodine and one soft brush. Take a few drops of the iodine to apply on both your underarms and scrub the underarms with a soft brush quite gently. Leave this mixture as it is for about 2-3 minutes after scrubbing and then wash it off. Doing this once in a day for some days would help you get rid of underarm odor.

3. Witch Hazel:

   Witch hazel is one more effective natural remedy that acts as a natural antiperspirant. It helps in lowering the pH level of the skin, and thus killing the odor-causing bacteria. This helps in combating underarm odor.⁽³⁾

   A few drops of the witch hazel and cotton balls would be required to use this as a remedy. You just need to take a few drops of it on a cotton ball and apply the witch hazel on your underarms directly. You need to do this twice in a day, once in the morning and again in the evening.

4. Essential Oils:

   Lavender Essential Oil: Lavender oil is known to treat several health and skin conditions. The pleasant fragrance of lavender oil helps mask the odor and the antibacterial properties kill the bacteria in the underarms.⁽⁴⁾⁽⁵⁾

   You will require 4-5 drops of this essential oil and a glass of water to use this as a remedy. Add a few drops of the oil in to a glass of water and pour this water to a spray bottle and directly spray it on the underarms. You can alternatively mix the lavender essential oil with any carrier oil and apply the oil to the underarms. Make sure you do this twice in a day for effective results.

   Tea Tree Oil: This is another good remedy to treat underarm odor. The antimicrobial and astringent properties of tea tree oil helps in minimizing the pores in the underarms and thus fight the odor-causing bacteria in this area.⁽⁶⁾⁽⁷⁾

   For using tea tree oil to treat underarm odor you will need 2 drops of the oil, 2 tbs of water and cotton pads. Simply add two drops of the oil to two tablespoons of water and apply this mixture to your underarms by using a cotton pad. You can also put few drops of the oil in a bottle of water and use it as a kind of spray. Make sure you do this twice a day for desired results.

5. Baking Soda:

   Baking soda keeps the underarms sweat-free and dry. The antibacterial properties of baking soda fight the bacteria which causes the foul smell.⁽⁸⁾⁽⁹⁾

   You would need 1 tbs of baking soda, and 1 tbs of lemon juice. Mix the lemon juice and baking soda and apply the mixture directly on your underarms and allow it to stay on for about 2-3 minutes and then take a shower. Doing this once regularly for a few weeks would give you effective results.

6. Lemon Juice:

   Lemon juice can also work as a fair remedy to treat underarm odor. Lemons are acidic in nature and they also possess bactericidal properties.⁽¹⁰⁾ This can aid you in reducing the pH level of your skin and even make it uninhabitable for the bacteria causing underarm odor.⁽¹¹⁾

   For this, you would require half a lemon which is to be rubbed directly on the underarms. You need to leave the lemon juice on, until it gets dried up and then wash off with cold water. Doing this once in a day for some days would give your effective results.

7. Garlic:

   It might be surprising to know that consuming garlic would reduce body odor.⁽¹²⁾ This in fact could be because of its great antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

   You would require chewing on some cloves of garlic every day. You might also take garlic supplements. Doing this daily would probably help you get rid of the underarm odor.

8. Hydrogen Peroxide

   Hydrogen peroxide is a popularly used remedy for its antiseptic properties and known to kill the underarm odor causing bacteria.⁽¹³⁾

   You will require 1 teaspoon of 3% of hydrogen peroxide, 1 cup of water and some cotton pads. All you need to do is take hydrogen peroxide and add it in one cup of water. Soak one cotton pad in this solution and use it to wipe the underarms with it. You can do this anytime you sweat heavily.

9. Coconut Oil:

   Coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids, known to be powerful antimicrobial agents and beneficial for keeping away the odor-causing bacteria and also at restoring the skin’s pH level.⁽¹⁴⁾

   For using this as a remedy you would require coconut oil to be taken on your fingers and directly applied to your underarms. You must allow it to stay there until it gets absorbed. Make sure you do once or twice every day, just after taking shower.

10. Aloe Vera:

    Aloe vera is known for its antioxidants and antibacterial properties.⁽¹⁵⁾ This is why it makes one of the best home remedies to treat underarm odor. While, it can aid in detoxifying the body and reducing foul-smelling odor, applying it topically can also eliminate the bacteria responsible for causing underarm odors.⁽¹⁶⁾

    You need to take a little aloe vera and apply it to your underarms directly and leave it as it is overnight and wash it in the morning. You can even drink at least 1/4th cup of aloe vera juice every day.

11. Boric Acid:

    Boric acid is one of the best home remedies to treat underarm odor. It is acidic as well as bacteriostatic in nature and is thus able to reduce the skin’s pH level and thus making it difficult for the bacteria to survive.⁽¹⁷⁾ This can be really beneficial in getting rid of foul smells of underarm.⁽¹⁸⁾

    You need to take a little amount of boric acid and dust it over your underarms regularly. You can try doing once or twice every day, especially after shower.

12. Epsom Salt:

    Epsom salt is another useful remedy to be used for treating underarm odor. It usually promotes perspiration so as to help the body release toxins which might be responsible for the underarm odor. It contains sulfur in it which exhibits antibacterial properties and this can help in eliminating the bacteria which causes odor in your underarms.^(19)(20)

    You would require a cup of Epsom salt and bathwater. Just add one cup of Epsom salt to the bathwater and remain soaked in this water for at least 15-20 minutes. Doing this every alternate day would help you in getting rid of underarm odor.

13. Castor Oil:

    Castor oil is the oil that is derived from the castor plant. It is used widely because of its several health benefits. One of the best benefits of castor oil is its capability to reduce body odor. This is because of the antibacterial properties that castor oil possess, which might keep away the odor-causing bacteria.⁽²¹⁾

    For making use of this as a home remedy to treat underarm odor, you will have to take some castor oil to be applied in your underarms and allow it to stay overnight and wash it in the next morning. It is essential for you to do this regularly to see desired results.

14. Potato:

    One of the finest home remedies for treating underarm odor is potato. It can help in controlling perspiration and even kill the bacteria, which are found in underarms by lowering or reducing the level of pH of the skin. It is so because of the antimicrobial properties possessed by potatoes and because o its slight acidic nature.^(22)(23)(24)

    For using this as a home remedy to treat underarm odor, you will have to take one potato and cut into very thin slices which are to be directly rubbed on your underarms. You can apply deodorant over it. Doing this once or twice daily would benefit you in getting rid of the underarm odor.

We are now aware of some of the best home remedies to get rid of underarm odor. Apart from these remedies, you can also add some of the lifestyle changes for avoiding the problem of underarm odor. Some of these lifestyle changes include; taking regular shower with a good antibacterial soap, using deodorants, keeping underarm hair trimmed, staying away from foods like onion, taking more of fruits and vegetables and drinking enough of water; would also help you keep away from the underarm odor.

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