The Best Ways to Control Body Odour Naturally and Effectively

I remember the days before having kids when I could shower, apply deodorant in the morning, and not have to think about it again for the rest of the day. But after pregnancy, hormonal changes seemed to alter my body chemistry. Suddenly, no matter how often I showered or reapplied deodorant on a hot day, I still didn’t smell as fresh as I used to. I tried countless brands of soap and deodorant, but nothing seemed to make much of a difference. Then I came across a few simple tips on social media. I’ll admit, I was skeptical—but after trying them for myself, I was amazed by how well they worked. If you’ve been struggling with stubborn underarm odour too, keep reading. In this article, I’ll share the best ways to control body odour that made the biggest difference for me, along with the science behind why they work.

Why Do Underarms Smell?

While it’s true that most of the body is covered in sweat glands, the sweat glands located in the underarm region release a type of sweat that skin bacteria love to feed on because of its higher fat and protein content. The byproducts of this are sulphur molecules and other odour-producing compounds which cause body odour.

Several factors can make odour worse:

• Hormonal changes
• Tight synthetic clothing
• Hot weather
• Stress-induced sweating
• Foods like garlic and onions
• Not allowing the skin to dry completely after showering

Benzoyl Peroxide Wash: One of the Most Effective Treatments

You’re probably aware that benzoyl peroxide is an effective treatment for acne. This is because of its bacteria and oil-eliminating properties, which interestingly enough, also makes it a powerful agent against odour-causing bacteria.

Minimizing odour-producing bacteria results in fresher underarms—even after sweating.

How To Use It

Use a 4 – 10% benzoyl peroxide wash.

1. Apply to clean, damp underarms (ideally in the shower).
2. Leave it on for 1 – 3 minutes.
3. Rinse thoroughly.
4. Ensure underarms are completely dry before apply deodorant.

Use daily or 2-3 times per week if your skin is sensitive.

Things to Know

Benzoyl peroxide can

• Cause irritation with overuse.
• Bleach clothing and towels.
• Dry sensitive skin.

Rinse thoroughly and use white towels whenever possible.

Glycolic Acid Pads

Glycolic acid is amazing for reducing underarm odour because it lowers the pH of the skin making it more difficult for odour-causing bacteria to thrive.

Another benefit is its ability to exfoliate the dead skin cells that bacteria like to feed on. This not only reduces odour but also helps prevent ingrown hairs 👍

How to Use Glycolic Acid

Use at least 10% glycolic acid pads. Shower and dry your skin completely, then:

• Cleanse underarms with a glycolic acid pad.
• Allow to dry completely.
• Apply deodorant.

Use glycolic acid pads 3 – 4 times a week or more, as your skin can tolerate. I use them after every shower with no issues (my skin is on the sensitive-side).

When to Avoid Using It

Do not use glycolic acid:

• Right after shaving (trust me, it stings!)
• On irritated or broken skin.
• At the same time as benzoyl peroxide if your skin is very sensitive (I use both every time I shower with no issues, but some users may be more sensitive).

Magnesium Hydroxide

Magnesium hydroxide is yet another deodorizing compound which has become popular because of its ability to reduce odour without blocking sweat glands. It’s the active ingredient in Milk of Magnesia products and is often better tolerated by those with high sensitivity.

Here’s how it works:

• Raises the skin’s pH: magnesium hydroxide is alkaline, making it more difficult for odour-causing bacteria to multiply.
• Neutralizes Odour: helps neutralize some of the acidic compounds created by bacteria.

How to Use It

If using Milk of Magnesia:

1. Choose unflavoured without added sugars, flavourings or colour.
2. Shake the bottle well.
3. After showering dry underarms completely.
4. Apply to underarms using a cotton pad.
5. Let dry completely before getting dressed.

It can also be transferred to a roller bottle or spray bottle for easier application.

How Effective Is It?

Some people find it magnesium hydroxide keeps them odour-free all day if they’re not sweating heavily, while others may need to pair it with benzoyl peroxide wash and/or glycolic acid pads.

The benefit of magnesium hydroxide is it’s fragrance-free and usually well tolerated by those with sensitive skin.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been searching for a solution to stubborn underarm odour and find that showering multiple times a day or constantly reapplying deodorant just isn’t cutting it, perhaps the answer is to address the bacteria and skin environment that contribute to odour in the first place. For me, discovering glycolic acid pads and benzoyl peroxide was a game changer. They worked far better than I ever expected!

Of course, everyone’s body chemistry is different, so start with one of the methods I’ve shared and see how your skin responds. You may find that one approach is all you need, or that combining a couple of them gives you the best results. Either way, I hope these simple solutions help you feel fresher, more comfortable, and more confident throughout the day.

Have you tried any of these methods? I’d love to hear what worked for you! Share your experience in the comments below.

Looking for another way to tackle underarm odour? Try my Homemade Natural Deodorant!