Why might armpits smell even after washing and putting deodorant – even after getting right out of the shower? It’s nothing to be embarrassed about. There could be several reasons or even an underlying condition. So, it’s best to see your dermatologist or endocrinologist, but among the most common reasons are stress sweat, dead skin, and even certain fragrances in  deodorants! Fortunately, we have four hacks (use these separately) that could be helpful. Let’s start with stress sweat.

What is stress sweat, and why is it happening? 

Upon experiencing stress, your heart rate and blood pressure increase, and your body may release more sweat to cool itself. Even if you are not someone who sweats profusely during stress, the additional release of hormones like cortisol, norepinephrine, and adrenaline causes your apocrine glands to directly respond. 

Your body has two types of sweat glands, apocrine and eccrine glands. Eccrine glands secrete clear, odorless sweat that evaporates quickly and cools the body, Apocrine glands are larger and secrete a thicker fluid. The thicker sweat these glands produce may react with bacteria on the skin and create the stronger odor people often associate with “stress sweat.” But, did you know – this strong odor can be a part of a survival instinct?

“According to a small  2012 study,  participants who inhaled stress sweat showed increased electrocortical activity associated with attention to environmental cues. This suggests that stress sweat may increase attentiveness to stimuli that might otherwise be overlooked.” 

So, it’s normal, and you have nothing to be ashamed of! However, you can use things like hypochlorous acid spray, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and even hand sanitizer under your armpits to reduce bacteria and wick away some of their waste products!

 

Reducing bacteria 

Hypochlorous spray 

Undefined Beauty R&R Repair Mist Hypochlorous Acid Spray  -$17.99

Hypochlorous spray can help reduce odor by neutralizing some of the compounds stress sweat produces, and it can also help to remove the bacteria. Hypochlorous spray can even help to support acne-prone or eczema-prone skin! 

Cassandra normally uses this at night after showering. That way, there’s a clean slate. We actually have a review from Cassandra on this product as well!

 

 

Salicylic Acid

AcneFree Salicylic Acid Body Spray -$17.95 

This body spray can reduce the skin’s pH and reduce bacteria on the skin.

 

 

 

 

Benzoyl peroxide

The Super Solution Cleanser - $17.99

Benzoyl peroxide also kills bacteria. This is a non-drying benzoyl peroxide cleanser for the face. But, you can use it on the armpits if you want something more gentle. 

 

Hand sanitizer

Bonus hack: Not necessarily for sensitive, rosacea, or eczema-prone skin. Cassandra explains in greater depth below. 

 

If you catch a whiff of something throughout the day, you can apply this to your armpits because rubbing alcohol kills bacteria. However, hand sanitizer is made with water, and it is properly diluted. So, it is generally compatible with skin. You could do this with salicylic acid spray as well instead of the hand sanitizer. 

 

Touchland Power Mist Hydrating Hand Sanitizer - $10

 

 

Removing dead skin 

Not exfoliating properly underneath the arms can cause odor. Dead skin may prevent a thorough cleansing of the area. Sweat bacteria consumes odorless chemicals in sweat and converts them into thioalcohols, which are compounds that cause body odor. Thialcohols can get trapped or fail to be washed away properly if there is too much buildup beneath the armpits.

 

Glycolic Acid

Speaking of exfoliating the armpits, dead skin cells can also cause ingrown hairs. Ingrown hairs are very irritating and could lessen your skin's tolerance level. So, you might end up using less deodorant. However, you can use glycolic acid on your armpits. Glycolic acid can help to reduce body odor by lowering the skin’s pH, making it more acidic and harder for odor-causing bacteria to thrive. Cassandra actually uses a glycolic deodorant herself. To find out more, click below!

 

Exfoliating your armpits is key.  "By exfoliating away the dead skin cells and lowering the skin’s pH, it may also help to prevent body odor by preventing buildup and making it less likely for bacteria to lead to odors, " Dr. Marisa K. Garshick, a board-certified dermatologist says.

 

Inkey List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Stick - $18

Avoiding too much fragrance

Sometimes when fragrances mix with our own body’s scent, they create a stronger smell than before, especially if we’re trying to mask body odor. Some deodorant fragrances can also mess with our pH. Fragrance oils can make our pits more alkaline and create a more habitable environment for bacteria. So, you can use fragrance-free or pH-balanced deodorants to combat this.

(Read more here about whole body deodorants!)