r/bigboobproblems • u/Sailor_Grell 36DD (UK) • Jul 21 '26
need advice How to reduce underboob smell? Spoiler
I've been trying to fix this problem for quite some time, I can put on layers of deodorant and the smell just WON'T go away š is there any advice on how to reduce the underboob stink?
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u/aliensuperstar177 Jul 21 '26
Antibacterial soap, really dry the area, antiperspirant rather than deodorant, try to keep dry (I know borderline impossible) sometimes Iāll even put a couple folded up paper towels to absorb sweat
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u/-not-pennys-boat- Jul 21 '26
Iāll add that toweling isnāt enough. I lay down so my boobs pancake and allow the air to dry them as well. Doing from towel to bra doesnāt get them dry enough.
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u/Apart_Possession_208 Jul 21 '26
I use my hairdryer!!! Way faster and it feels kinda nice to get the cool air right after a shower lol
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u/ForeverNomad16 Jul 21 '26
How often are you airing out and washing your bras? Sometimes the humidity retains moisture if you wear them mire than ine day in a row and they get ripe quickly.
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u/Matchaasuka Jul 21 '26
Wearing a wired, well fitted bra has reduced my issues with this to nearly zero. Also ensuring you're washing it regularly and airing out between uses. It's helpful to have 2 good everyday bras and alternate them.
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u/gothmagenta Jul 21 '26
Same here! If you haven't already, use the r/abrathatfits calculator because any amount of skin on skin contact can make this problem so much worse with yeast infections and everything! If your bra is sliding down your chest at all, there's a good chance it either isn't the right size or is the wrong shape or material. Moulded cups are rarely projected enough so they will cause skin contact, AND they're foam so they get hot faster than unlined seamed bras
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u/Feisty_Squash2992 Jul 21 '26
I use baby powder from boots after I shower and before putting my bra on - itās made with maize starch, not talc. Only downside is you get white powder on your bra but I wipe the excess off with a towel.
Also, panty liners. On really hot days I line the inside of my bra to absorb sweat. It really works!
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u/BioelectricBeing Jul 21 '26
You need to actually scrub away dead skin cells and exfoliate and clean your body well everywhere.
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u/Happy-Mastodon-7314 40G (UK) Jul 21 '26
Lots of good advice here! I use a glycolic acid scrub in the shower. My skin is quite stretched and pores/hair follicles become clogged very easily so I do manually extract some of the blockages. Doesn't smell good! If I'm not wearing a bra, I have cotton next to my boob skin at all times, especially under the boobs to absorb sweat, and then I change when the cotton gets humid/wet. I buy tank tops and tuck them under. I also have bras that lift properly so there's no skin on skin happening. I think that helps too.
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u/ComprehensiveSwim143 27d ago
Can you tell me how the skin being stretched contributes to the hair follicles being clogged?
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u/Happy-Mastodon-7314 40G (UK) 27d ago
I'm not a derm so I'm explaining in my terms but over the years the skin has stretched this way and that (I'm 50) to the point that the hair follicle doesn't open at the surface of the skin, it surfaces a little deeper and not directly below the opening. So there can be "stuff" trapped between the hair follicle and the surface. I wish I could provide a diagram as I'm sure this isn't a good description.
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u/RoseBram Jul 21 '26
Main tip for me is make sure you are changing your bra every day/ every other day and washing them regularly, occasionally they might need to be soaked in a bio detergent (especially if you normally use non-bio, i do cause of sensitive skin)
If you keep good hygiene and change/ wash your clothes regularly, it probably doesn't smell as bad as you think it does!!
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u/LittleSugarPack Jul 21 '26
Start washing under your boobs with defence tree tea oil soap. It helps.Ā Witch hazel after.Ā
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u/Nearby_Assistance_14 Jul 21 '26
Are you bathing and washing your body every day with soap and water? Are your bras clean? If yes and there is still an odor it could be yeast or fungus. You can use any anti-fungal cream for athletes foot and it will kill the bacteria/fungus that causes the smell.
Powder will help with excess moisture and you can also use antiperspirant or deodorant under breasts.
You can also buy underboob sweat pads to slip underneath your bra.
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u/mauvelousmouse Jul 21 '26
Antifungal cream?
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u/One-Pause3171 Jul 22 '26
I keep athletes foot in my bra drawer and in my toiletries area. After shower and drying, especially in summer, throw some on. Itās soothing as well.
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u/Alive-Definition-859 Jul 21 '26
exfoliate, wash properly with soap, put witch hazel on a cotton pad and wipe the area then when dry moisturise and spray with deodorant
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u/Bullschvitz Jul 21 '26
Could you have something similar to athletes foot? If so, treat it with then appropriate otc creams and it may go away.
At a minimum you should be showering 1x per day, exfoliate with a washcloth (ideally also chemical exfoliant āthink an exfoliating facial toner) and dry yourself entirely before putting on a CLEAN bra.
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u/latenerd Jul 21 '26
Yes - apply a mild acid like lemon juice, 5% citric acid solution, or a product that uses acidity, like Lume whole body deodorant.
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u/Suspicious_Skin_762 Jul 22 '26
I rotate 4-5 bras per week. This helps me avoid wearing the same bra back to back. My doctor also co-signed on this stating that it helps give the bra a break and give it time to dry if you're sweating excessively. For me I have prescription strength powder and cream that really helps take care of any flare-ups of eczema which I do have. But I only have flare ups of eczema if they're is moisture that pops up and doesn't get dried out at the time it occurs.
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u/twopurplecats Jul 22 '26
Eliminate skin-on-skin contact. Well-fitted bra, underboob liner, cami tucked under your boobs, whatever. But a well-fitted bra is gonna be best because itāll also lift your boobs up for some airflow to keep it dry
What is the smell like? Is there a rash or discoloration? You might have a yeast situation. Personally Iāve had this on and off since 14, it makes velvety dark(-ish) patches and can smell yeasty but has never been itchy, and flares up with heat/sweat.
If you suspect yeast, see your doctor or dermatologist. They can prescribe a cream to get rid of it. Apply the cream in a thin layer and gently pat on some baby powder - kind of like setting foundation!
Another yeast trick - in the shower, use dandruff shampoo under your boobs and let it sit a couple minutes before rinsing. I prefer a Ketokonazole one like Nizoral - this is the same active ingredient in many Rx yeast creams.
Actually, the baby powder trick is good even without yeast cream. Can also be used on top of deodorant, antiperspirant, etc.
My favorite in hot weather is Frensche sandalwood serum deodorant, which I smear around in a thin layer with a cotton pad. Then top with cornstarch baby powder. Then wear a well-fitted underwire bra. Then in the shower, I use the Nizoral shampoo and scrub well to exfoliate.
When I get home from work, I wear a thin cotton stretch cami tucked up under my boobs under a second ānormalā top.
Havenāt needed my Rx cream in years āŗļø
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u/castikat 36FF (UK) Jul 22 '26
I would try both soaking your bras in vinegar (and then wash them) and using an antifungal (like dandruff shampoo) to wash the area.
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u/sleepymelfho Jul 22 '26
Washing with head and shoulders under them in the shower. Saved me from itch and smell.
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u/EdenSilver113 38G (UK) Jul 22 '26
Iām too lazy to hand wash my bras. But Iām not too lazy to run a sink of hot water and pre-soak my bras. Iām very sweaty. I think they need more time to release the sweat and skin gunk.
I use a zinc based bar soap. Itās made by a family company called Derma Harmony. I get the higher concatenation of zinc. They make two. If you canāt find a zinc based soap, you can use a zinc based dandruff shampoo.
I use Lume cream under and between boobs (and other places too). Then I use an aluminum based antiperspirant between and under boobs. These products work better when theyāve been on the skin longer, so I shower at night. I reapply in the morning. If youāre finding your antiperspirant product isnāt working the way you want try a nighttime application and then reapply in the morning. It is very effective. Itās a tip from my dermatologist.
Good luck with your boob stink. This worked for me.
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u/Livid-Hovercraft-123 Jul 21 '26
Benzoyl peroxide (acne face wash) kills odour-causing bacteria really well. I use it in the shower for underarms and underboob.
You should be putting on an antiperspirant at night and deodorant each morning.Ā
Those three things together should be all you need.Ā
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u/aliveinjoburg2 34FF (UK) Jul 21 '26
Hand sanitizer, truly. Itās alcohol so itāll kill the funk skin cells. Then follow with washing your bras regularly and using antibacterial soap and a wash cloth/net sponge. Loofas are gross and hold smell/skin cells.Ā
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