How To Get Rid of Body Odor Fast Using Simple Remedies That Really Work

Sweating and body odor often go hand in hand, whether it’s a steamy summer day or you’re simply picking up the pace on your usual strolls. But excessive sweating isn’t the only reason you might notice an unwanted aroma. Everything from bacteria on your skin (or in your mouth!) to an underlying medical condition to changes in your body’s pH levels can play a role. Here we reveal how to get rid of body odor fast using simple home remedies that are proven to work.

How to get rid of body odor from head to toe

First things first: If you tend to sweat a lot, it’s worth talking to your dermatologist or doctor about prescription antiperspirants and wearing more breathable fabrics (or moisture-wicking fabrics) to reduce the amount of body odor you may experience.

In the meantime, these research-backed tricks can help get rid of body odor fast so you feel fresh and confident even if your body temperature starts to rise.

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Erase underarm odor with face wash

You might have seen this wacky face wash hack on social media, and research shows it really works. Scientists at Oregon Health & Science University found that for two-thirds of people, cleansing their armpits with a benzoyl peroxide-based face wash (like the kind used to treat acne) helped get rid of their body odor.

The reason? Benzoyl peroxide is a potent antimicrobial that kills odor-causing microbes before they have a chance to multiply and waft off a funky scent. One to try: CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser.

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Dodge bad breath with iced tea

Sip a cup of iced green tea before meeting up with friends and you can chat away with confidence. Green tea’s leaves are packed with potent antioxidants called catechins that neutralize smelly gases known as volatile sulfur compounds produced by bad-breath bacteria, suggests a study in the journal ISRN Preventive Medicine. Best of all, it begins working with the very first sip and keeps going strong for at least three hours.

Freshen down below with a cooling swap

Hot, sticky weather can leave underwear feeling steamy and makes it harder for skin to breathe. And this increase in moisture creates an ideal environment for odor-causing microbes to breed. To help get rid of body odor below the belt, swap synthetic or cotton undies for bamboo ones that reduce sweating. 

A study published in the journal Thermal Science found that people wearing breathable bamboo underwear felt up to 25 percent cooler and experienced significantly more sweat evaporation than those in pure cotton. And compared to a natural-synthetic blend, they reported feeling more than twice as cool and dry.

Nix foot odor with sunscreen

Smooth mineral sunscreen over your feet and step out in your favorite sandals without fear of a funky odor. A study published in the International Journal of Dermatology suggests that when applied to feet, zinc oxide damages the cell walls of stink-making bacteria, killing them without harming skin.

Already dealing with foot odor? Apple cider vinegar (ACVS) helps get rid of the scent fast, says dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD, thanks to antiseptic properties that quash bacteria. “ACV also combats fungal infections such as athlete’s foot,” she adds. Dr. Garshick advises soaking feet in a mix of 1 cup of vinegar and 4 cups of water to get rid of the odor.

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Erase under-breast odor with baking soda

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When a sour or “stale-beer” odor wafts from your bra, that’s often a sign of yeast overgrowth, a problem that occurs when skin under the breasts becomes warm and damp. Patting under-breast skin and belly folds with baking soda may increase skin pH, eliminating foul odors, suggests French research.  

Also smart? Using grapefruit seed oil to get rid of this type of body odor. Laura Corio, MD, author of The Change Before the Change, recommends mixing 3 drops of yeast-fighting grapefruit seed oil with 1 oz. of water and applying it to the undersides of breasts twice daily for a week.

Block all-over odor with a green smoothie

Research suggests a green juice smoothie may help get rid of body odor from head to toe. Chlorophyll, the pigment that gives leafy greens their vivid hue, binds to odor-causing bacteria to neutralize body odor from the inside out, suggests a Journal of the American Geriatrics Society study. Blend your own or try cold-pressed green juice from your favorite supermarket.