Most people rely on the frequent use of commercial deodorants or antiperspirants in order to help manage their body odour.  Unfortunately, in recent years, a number of concerns have been raised about the chemicals contained in many of these commonly used products. The National Cancer Institute has raised some concerns regarding breast cancer risk with these products. Because of this, a large number of people have begun switching to more natural options for their underarm needs.

What Causes Body Odour?

Contrary to popular belief, it is not our actual sweat that smells when it comes to underarm odour. This makes sense if you think about sweating in other areas of the body.  In fact, there are different glands found in the armpit, scalp and groin areas called “apocrine sweat glands” that release a more fat-rich type of sweat.  Scientists believe that this once played a role in attracting a suitable mate.  Unfortunately, bacteria love to feed upon this fatty sweat, and as a byproduct, they release odour-causing compounds.

Deodorant Vs Antiperspirant

The major difference between deodorants and antiperspirants is actually described in their respective titles: deodorants will help to prevent bacterial growth and odour formation, while antiperspirants focus on preventing underarm perspiration (sweat).  Deodorants focus on directly inhibiting bacterial growth, by changing the pH of the skin or creating a harsh environment, and often use a scent to help mask odour.  Antiperspirants on the other hand use compounds to temporarily block the sweat ducts and combine that with a scent to help mask any remaining odour.

What Are Parabens & Why You Want To Avoid Them

A family of compounds called parabens are often used as preservatives and as antimicrobial compounds in deodorants and antiperspirants.  They have been shown by researchers to mimic the activity of estrogen in the body’s cells.  Also, parabens have been shown to build up in breast tissue over time, and many breast tumours contain parabens. There is no evidence that parabens were the cause of cancer, but because of this research, most manufacturers have worked to remove these compounds from their products.  It is simple to avoid products with these compounds as they are very obviously listed on the ingredient list with names like: methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben.

Aluminum Content In Antiperspirants

Antiperspirants will very often contain aluminum compounds to help block the sweat ducts to prevent perspiration. Unfortunately, these compounds can be absorbed into the local tissue where they can have estrogen-like effects. Because the armpit is up against the breast tissue in women, this can stimulate growth in certain breast cancer cells. Aluminum also has a number of other negative effects in the body and deposits have been found in the brains of Alzheimer's Disease patients.  Aluminum in antiperspirants is found in a few different forms, but most commonly aluminum chlorohydrate.  It can also be found as “alum” in other salt forms on the ingredient list.  Be sure to read the ingredient list carefully to avoid this metal.

Tips To Avoid Body Odour

Lifestyle Changes

The first recommendation is the most obvious: try to reduce the things that make you sweat! Sweating occurs to help regulate body temperature, and in response to stress. Keeping your body cool and maintaining healthy stress management skills can help to reduce sweating and keep body odour under control. Choosing your clothing carefully can help to reduce sweating and prevent underarm odour.  Since bacteria like a dark, warm, and damp environment, tight restrictive clothing can worsen odour problems. Wearing loose-fitting clothing made from natural fibers can help to reduce sweat and bacterial growth. This is especially important when you are being more physically active.  There are even new fabrics designed to wick moisture away from the skin to help keep odour areas dry. Any clothes that are used with heavy sweating can be washed in with baking soda and/or vinegar in addition to your normal detergent in order to help remove excess oil and smells.  Keeping your underarms shaved or trimming your underarm hair can also help to prevent the trapping of moisture and bacteria that causes odour.  If you do not wish to remove your hair, just be sure to carefully clean it on a regular basis.

Dietary Changes

We are all familiar with the adage that “you are what you eat”, and this can be carried over to our food choices affecting how we smell.  Some foods can particularly contribute to body odour, such as: garlic, onions, and curry because they contain volatile sulfur compounds. A good rule of thought is that any strongly smelling food that you eat (like blue cheese and vinegar) can linger in your system for a time.  Red meat in the diet contributes to distinctive body odour as well, and diets free of red meat were found to make men smell more attractive to the opposite sex.

Natural Alternatives To Antiperspirant

There are a number of ingredients that are used to prevent body odour in natural deodorant products.  Witch Hazel is a common herb found in natural deodorants, as it can act as an astringent that can tighten the skin in the armpit and naturally reduce sweating. Often alcohol will be in these formulations for a similar effect and to help further kill off bacteria. Some will also contain natural antimicrobial herbs like Tea Tree, Neem, or Oregano Oil, to help further prevent the bacterial growth that causes odour. Other products will create an environment that is unsuitable for bacterial growth, such as crystal deodorants, that consist of large stones of mineral salts used to coat the skin of the underarm.  The salts make the skin inhospitable to bacteria, which can help to reduce odour. Baking soda works in a similar fashion by altering the pH of the skin to prevent bacterial growth. Interestingly, baking soda also naturally absorbs odours (in the same way it can do so in your fridge). Some people will actually recommend simply using baking soda directly on damp underarms as a means of deodorizing. Most other ingredients in natural deodorants will be for soothing the skin and providing natural scents to help mask any remaining odour.