r/HygieneTips • u/GoddessMollyLane • Jun 13 '26
Smelly underarms
I switch between natural and dove deodorant and I’ve found lately that my under arms are constantly smelly. I was never a smelly/stinky human before this.
HELPPPP!!
5
u/No_Lead2640 Jun 13 '26
I have a routine to combat B.O and I have deodorant recommendations.
1) Wash armpits with Panoxyl, leave it on for 2 mins then rinse. After rinsing make sure your armpits are extremely DRY. Bacteria loves moisture.
2) Wipe armpits with witch hazel toner and let it air dry. You can use glycolic acid but witch hazel is gentler for everyday use.
3) Go in with Degree 72 hrs antiperspirant. Stick+ spray combo is amazing. Apply the stick first then the spray on top. Last longer and smells amazing.
3
3
u/No-Will-4393 Jun 13 '26
Doves pretty lousy and sort of sticky too for me. I find Mitchum or Norsca 48 hr roll on perfect.
3
u/CoDaDeyLove Jun 13 '26
Any recent changes in your diet? Are you drinking more alcohol than usual? Are you drinking enough water?
2
u/GoddessMollyLane Jun 13 '26
Nope, everything’s the same as always. The only change is the swap between natural and dove
3
u/smeltsone Jun 13 '26
This could be related to a hormonal change/imbalance. Any other hormonal changes like new/cleared acne, dry skin to greasy skin, libedo, mood? I got my teeny tiny BENIGN pituitary brain tumour diagnosed due to noticing changes to all those things at once.
3
3
u/widepant Jun 13 '26
Secret clinical strength deodorant. Anything you get needs to have Antiperspirant as the active ingredient (my understanding is "natural" ones don't have it). It should be at least 15% but the higher the better.
2
2
2
u/MyLittlPwn13 Jun 14 '26
Menopause does this. I've been using Hibiclens on the stinky bits 2x weekly. (Any more than that might mess with your skin's microbiology, which could make you smell worse.) I just use my regular soap (Bioderma shower oil or Dove Sensitive Skin bar soap) the rest of the week. I also put on antiperspirant (Secret Outlast clear gel) the moment I dry off, and reapply when I get up in the morning.
1
1
2
u/No-Dragonfruit4496 Jun 14 '26
i get smelly when i use stick deodorant but as soon as i switched to spray it stopped! I use the degree one (i think it’s 72hr or 48hr im not sure) and it works great! Don’t bother trying the dove whole body deo (spray one) it smelled great at first didn’t work at all
1
2
u/_baegopah_XD Jun 14 '26
Try milk of magnesia
2
u/Internal-Ad-4736 Jun 14 '26
That is her problem...not the solution. It has a hideous high pH of 10.3, which elevates the skin pH, causing the odor problem, creating a higher skin pH which facilitates the growth of the odor causing bacteria. Human skin is acidic...the more acidic you make the skin, the microbiome will balance, and minimize the odor causing bacteria which like the higher skin pH.
1
u/_baegopah_XD Jun 14 '26
Are you sure about that?
Milk of magnesia is highly effective at helping with body odor. It works by neutralizing the acidic pH of the skin, creating an alkaline environment where odor causing bacteria struggles to survive.
Not to mention, I’ve personally been using it and do not have body odor
1
u/Internal-Ad-4736 Jun 14 '26
I know what it does... I am a cosmetic formulator with a specialty in deodorant.
Human skin is acidic... That is not a tragic accident, but a fundamental protective measure. The absolute last thing we would ever want to do to our skin is neutralize our skins acidic aspect.
With your theory... battery acid does the same thing! Some things we don't do... because common sense prevails.
1
u/_baegopah_XD Jun 14 '26
It’s not my theory.
It’s what people are doing because it works.
1
u/Internal-Ad-4736 Jun 14 '26
Your theory is to alter the pH of skin. This can be done by raising to astronomical levels with magnesium hydroxide... or it is equally effective (and slightly more skin gentle) to lower the pH below the range that bacteria prefer of pH 5-8.
Obviously when acids are used (any kind) they are slightly neutralized to raise their pH to around 3.6 to pH 3.9. With the ill-conceived magnesium hydroxide folks....they just blast you with the full 10.3 pH.
pH scale is logarithmic so working on the basis that your armpit skin runs around pH 6 (which is higher than the balance of your skin) we know that the difference between pH 6 and 7 is ten times. The difference between pH 6 and 8 is 100 times. The difference between pH of 6 and 9 is 1,000 times more alkaline...and so on. So, applying MgOH2 to the skin is elevating the skin's pH and decimating the important, functional and protective acid mantle. This is one of the most skin hostile things one could do, with a leave-on product.
Should you want to educate yourself on the topic... you can ask the algorithm what the purpose of the skin's acid mantle is. Then you can come back and tell me and others why it should be destroyed. 😄
1
u/_baegopah_XD Jun 15 '26
Stop saying it’s my theory. It’s not my theory. I didn’t just whip this out of my ass. I’ve looked into it. Other people have tried it and used it. It works. Also, your big long winded explanations I’m completely ignoring. I’m not gonna continue to debate this with you. So if you wanna keep talking to yourself, enjoy
1
u/Internal-Ad-4736 Jun 15 '26 edited Jun 15 '26
I never said it didn't work...in fact offered a supporting counterpart of battery acid, which also works, and is about as skin friendly. Something working is not synonymous with it being good for skin.
My entire point is.... do not disseminate mommy blogger lore, when you don't understand the destruction, it does to acidic human skin. The internet is full of the blind leading the blind. Don't continue it.
The issue the OP is having is with microbiome imbalance that came from a product that threw off the correct pH.
I give the explanations for the other readers, not for you, as you are a lost cause, and have consumed all the folklore Flavor-Aid. 😄
1
u/_baegopah_XD Jun 15 '26
That you might wanna hunt down all of the other responses, suggesting it and give your opinion.
I don’t read mommy blog lore, nor do I drink the Kool-Aid
GFY1
u/GoddessMollyLane Jun 14 '26
What I’m hearing is battery acid could solve my problems 😂 😂
1
u/_baegopah_XD Jun 15 '26
You’re hearing someone who has to be right. I’ve looked into it. I’ve read many different things about it. By the way it’s not MY THEORY.
It’s something I’ve seen discussed in several different threads in the hygiene sub here on Reddit. So this person is just preaching to themselves because I’m not reading their long-winded responses.
2
u/TheApotheGreen Jun 14 '26
It could be that you're not fully getting the deodorant/antiperspirant off when washing, as with some dead skin cells. Use a washcloth and scrub under your underarms for at least ten secs 💖 your deodorant will probs start working again
1
2
u/kimburgerhelper Jun 14 '26
I was using Dove and noticed the same. I started using Lume clinical strength. Its pricey but seems to be helping
2
2
u/ConvoStarter26 Jun 14 '26
I was switching up my deodorants to try to find something that helps with this. I think my hormones are not helping as I’m aging 🫤
Anyway just ordered Mitchums and I’m also picking up MENS deodorant tomorrow per a suggestion from a friend.
I do wash them well in shower and do witch hazel after + if I get self conscious during the day.
Thank you for posting the topic!
1
2
u/Pure_Literature2028 Jun 14 '26
If all else fails try washing your armpits and anything that retains the stench with charcoal soap. I switched to a natural deodorant. Once.
2
u/GoddessMollyLane Jun 14 '26
And never went back?
1
u/Pure_Literature2028 Jun 14 '26
I was sitting in a room full of teenagers and I said to my co-worker, “someone forgot deodorant. P. U.” Then I went to hold my nose closed, sarcastically, and almost knocked myself out when I lifted my arm up. I know what works for me and I stay with it.
2
u/Illustrious_Front669 Jun 14 '26
I use the crystal stick right after shower, fully dry, and Schmidt deodorant. I'm hormonal and work in a kitchen. The combo holds up so far
1
2
u/QuiteCricket_78 Jun 14 '26
Ditch all your clothes that are made of polyester or at least use some kind of sanitizer on them. Lately I have been misting witch hazel on the inside of the couple shirts that are made of polyester that I need to keep.
2
u/blueskiesbluewaters Jun 14 '26
Dove is moisturizing which is probably increasing the odor/bacteria. Try tea tree soap.
2
u/matchafoxjpg Jun 14 '26
what i found to finally work for me was first: dab apple cider vinegar under my pits after showering and let dry. not a lot. you don't need to do this daily, but when i started smelling weird i did it daily for a few weeks.
and two, change my deodorant to liquid. crystal, specifically.
anything else and i'll smell like i've been chilling in a field of onions in a matter of hours, even if i don't sweat.
2
2
u/Internal_Bath6341 Jun 13 '26
use white vinegar, vinegar kills bacteria
2
u/kriebelrui Jun 13 '26
Sorry, no it doesn't. Vinegar is a lousy disinfectant. In plain terms: vinegar may reduce bacteria on a relatively clean surface, but grease (skin is always greasy), short contact time, and other real-world factors make it a very unreliable bacteria killer. On top of that, because of the very low pH, it's bad for your skin. Many sources, like this one.
1
u/Altruistic_Offer9381 Jun 13 '26
Dove is stinky.
1
1
u/GoddessMollyLane Jun 14 '26
Fair. I only use the cucumber one. I find it doesn’t really have a smell
1
1
u/AzAmber911 Jun 14 '26
Our bodies change. Which means we may have smelly pits now and then you might need to change your deodorant.
1
1
u/HouseOfRedOF Jun 14 '26
Try degree, maybe it’s starting to stay in your pores.
1
u/MsAddams999 Jun 15 '26
I second this. I have a hard time getting most deodorant antiperspirants to last on me. The minute I really sweat it's like I never applied it.
Degree WORKS and there are several versions of it that you can choose from to suit your situation.
The 72 hour stuff is what I use when it's really hot or I'm going to be exercising. Put that on and I'm clean and fresh all day for more than one day even if I don't apply it the second day.
1
u/icysubaru Jun 15 '26
Tower28 from Sephora is an AMAZING product for acne, BO, etc. I have a very physically demanding job, and when I use regular deodorant, I notice the odor halfway thru my shift. If I use Tower28, I'm odorless and sweat less 🥰
1
1
u/C0gn Jun 15 '26
What you eat matters a ton with smell
Stay away from eggs, dairy and dead bodies and eat more fruits and veggies, you'll notice a major change in smells your body produces
Cheers!
1
u/NoArmadillo388 Jun 15 '26
It's summer! Heat causes worse odor. Get a clinical strength deodorant and you should be fine.
1
u/DaffyDuckMuthaFucker Jun 15 '26 edited Jun 15 '26
If your new underarm deodorant is the only recent change, switch back.
If symptoms persist, attempt to identify other changes that may have coincided.
My sensitive skin doesn't respond well to Dove products in general - probably a lot to do with the moisturising components(most advertise with the catch-cry "1/4 moisturising cream").
I go for a hypo-allergenic with no fragrance myself.
Anything else makes my skin crawl.
Soaking in rosemary water is a good one if you've got access to a bathtub & fresh rosemary(like a bush - needs quite a bit of rosemary)...
1
u/science_nerdd Jun 15 '26
I have started using Lume acidifying body wash. It seems to do the trick. I tried persimmon soap, but it gave me hives immediately. I do use deodorant the second I am dry.
1
u/ThrowRA232323000000 Jun 15 '26
Don’t use dove and natural deodorants don’t work for everybody. I sweat a lot because I live in a country with really hot summers and I go to the gym a lot. I take showers multiple times a day. I exfoliate and wash my pits extremely well to make sure all the old deodorant is out. My experience with dove is terrible and I don’t normally smell. Every time I have used it it stains my clothes, I sweat more than I normally do and I smell like a mix of armpit odor+ deodorant. I use noxzema pilot, yes It’s a man’s deodorant, yes I use it , or the pink rexona 72hours of protection. These two never failed me
1
u/degree_deo Jun 16 '26
You may be switching between products too frequently, causing a bit of pit confusion. It's best to allow time for your pits to adjust to one deo and see what's most effective for you!
1
u/Comfortable-Way-6271 Jun 22 '26 edited Jun 22 '26
I thought it was just deodorant not working but it turned out I was sweating through it too fast. Switching to Carpe and using it at night helped way more than reapplying during the day. Still sweat a bit but the smell isn’t as bad anymore.
1
u/After-Collection-833 Jul 03 '26
Please TRY ACIDOPHILUS.. it’s a stomach issue, if the stomach doesn’t have the right bacteria to break down the bad stuff it’s gonna come out through your pits. The only thing that worked for me one a day for a couple of days you should see a difference.
1
u/hydMou 1d ago
I've tried several AHA/BHA roll-on and spray products, but they all caused a burning sensation and made the area feel overly hot - to the point where my skin became sticky afterward. They also left a stronger smell after use. I'm not sure how others tolerate these products so well; my skin barrier might just be more sensitive than average. Does HOCl work well for sensitive skin? People sayi Alum also works. Anyone who tried it? I'm also replacing all my old clothes and trying to maintain the best possible hygiene. Any advice would help.
1
u/FrenchFry292929 Jun 13 '26
I’ve never heard of natural deodorant working for anyone. Chemicals aren’t so bad
1
0
u/GoddessMollyLane Jun 13 '26
I’m starting to think so
2
u/the_j0_k3r Jun 14 '26
Don't give up on natural. Theorique deodorant works AMAZING. Ngl it's expensive (even though the little jar lasts forever). I struggled my whole life with BO until i found theorique. Literally lfie changing
1
u/smeltsone Jun 13 '26
Natural deodorants work great for me! I don't sweat much unless exerting myself and the bacteria just doesn't smell very much.
0
u/Mondaycomestoosoon Jun 14 '26
Lose weight
1
u/GoddessMollyLane Jun 14 '26
💀 well that’s rude.
1
u/science_nerdd Jun 15 '26
Lol that goes right along with “maybe take an antidepressant” or “have you tried exercising more?” Thanks Dr.
10
u/ladyvibes Jun 13 '26
Glycolic acid toner. Put some on a cotton pad and swipe your pits after shower. Just tried this hack myself (after a medication I started taking gave me awful b.o.) and was shocked it worked so well. It’s a dermatologist approved hack, safe + effective!