Combat Body Odor and Smell Good in Summers

Summer brings heat and with heat comes sweat and with sweat comes body odor. Unfortunately, for me writing this blog is absolutely personal. I have so many people around me that tend to forget that smelling nice and fresh is a necessity. To combat body odor becomes a challenge. However, I am here to tell you how you can beat that heat and smell and prevent isolating yourself in the summer. 

Before beginning, I would like to share some sentiments. Smelling bad is as bad as pooping anywhere you like. It is not okay! It is unhygienic, people do not like it, and you may just cause discomfort. Moreover, you should have a problem with it. 

While nose blindness is a thing, common sense and logic blindness is not a thing. Even if you cannot smell yourself or find yourself not smelling, understand that it is inevitable. 

Why?

You see, our body works in certain ways. Unless there is a malfunction, everyone’s basic body works in the same way. We sweat! We have to sweat! When it gets too hot, our body needs to cool down to keep us running and protect our cells and enzymes from dying. 

However, when we sweat the bacteria that breaks down because of it, causes unpleasant smells. As the sweating rises, more bacteria enjoy the breakdown and cause even more smell. This eventually kills people around you (joke). 

What can you do? Take care of yourself! Find ways to keep addressing the body odor and even keeping yourself cool and fresh to keep smelling good. 

I try not to be tone-deaf. I know a lot of us can afford certain things in life and others simply cannot. So with my research, I have put out plenty of different techniques to help you stay cool and smell good. 

For us who have the means

For those who can afford the right perfumes and fragrances. Please take advantage of that. Take out a small budget and choose smells that help you not smell if not smell good. 

Choose the right perfume

The first step is to choose the right perfume. Using fragrances that are light and fresh like citrus, aquatic, and green scents work very well in summers. These are especially well-working for people that do not enjoy very overpowering fragrances from within. Moreover, these scents evoke a sense of coolness in you and the people around you. I personally love aquatic scents and wear them more than others. 

Another important thing to do is to find perfumes that are long lasting. Here is a fun tip you probably did not know. Eau de Parfum is much longer lasting that Eau de Toilette. EDPs have a higher amount of fragrance oils which help them stick to your skin and keep giving out fresh vibes for a long time. In fact, they stick good enough to combat body odor as well in the high heat. 

But you see this is still not a way to validate any perfume. The best way to go about it is to ensure that you try it on and test it for a while. You will find out how it alters with the heat or your skin type. So, you may have to try a couple before sticking to one. 

I will share an experience with you, though! Impressions of perfumes and even colognes are generally very light, and they vanish into thin air much sooner. I personally do not recommend them. If you can, then find the best brands that have a good reputation already. 

Deodorants

Repeat after me: perfumes and deodorants are different! 

Now repeat it a billion more times and remember this. While choosing your deodorant, essentially you follow the same steps. However, there is a little breakdown. 

Deodorants usually are between antiperspirants and plain ol’ deodorants. Antiperspirants help reduce sweat by blocking sweat glands. Kind of dealing with the problem on a root level. On the other hand, deodorants mask the body odor by overpowering the body odor. If you sweat a lot, then antiperspirants might be the solution to your needs. 

The difference between perfume and deodorants

Perfume and deodorants serve very different purposes. You may think they are the same, but they are not. 

Deodorants are designed to be used on the skin. They mask the body odor and they may even contain antimicrobial agents that help kill or slow the growth of bacteria. Antiperspirants are a kind of deodorant that help block the sweat glands through aluminum compounds.

On the other hand, perfumes are concentrations of aromatic oils, alcohol, and water. They are used to throw out pleasant long-lasting fragrances. You can use them on skin on the pulse points such as the wrists, neck, and behind the ears. However, they are used on clothes as well to absorb and impart the fragrance. Perfumes simply mask the odor, they do not work on the root-level to end the odor. 

A combination of both is what works best. 

Remember to layer scents freely by using multiple of them together. This allows layers of fresh fragrances to seep out of you. 

Hair mists

If you can afford to then using hair mists is a great idea as well. Remember, not only does our scalp sweat, it is covered by hair increasing the heat. A hair mist will keep your hair smelling fresh and safe from regular concentrations in deodorants and perfumes. 

For those on a budget

I understand that not everyone has the means to afford expensive perfumes and deodorants. However, that is still no excuse to smell bad. You can take the power of inexpensive nature to create your own means to smell good. Or, at least absorb the body odor and smell like nothing at all. 

DIY and Natural Alternatives

There is so much in your kitchen (and some ingredients you can get for very affordable) to make a simple deodorant at home. 

You can use baking soda and cornstarch to make a paste in equal parts. Apply this mix to your underarms to absorb sweat. Baking soda absorbs odor as well and keeps you odorless for a long time. 

Another method is to take coconut oil and add essential oils of your choice. This mix can be used as a wax perfume to give you fresh fragrances. Coconut oils also have antibacterial properties that help kill that bacteria. 

If all this does not work, then lemon juice is your friend. Make a spray of equal parts of lemon juice and water. The acid kills the bacteria. Try different levels of lemon juice to see how your skin reacts. You can also use apple cider vinegar or regular vinegar. Putting this mixture in a spray bottle can work on your clothes as well. 

Tips for Long-lasting Freshness

If you want your fragrances to last longer you can take some additional steps. Before spraying your scent, apply an unscented lotion or moisturizer on your skin. The oils in the moisturizers help in locking the scent and last longer. 

If you can afford it, then some of the companies offer perfume primers. These work like makeup primers and help keep the fragrances locked for a long time. 

Finally, ensure you care for your scents as per the instructions to last longer in their bottles. 

Practical Tips

Apart from wearing good fragrances, there are some things that you should adhere to. Remember, these tips are as important as life itself. 

• Frequent showers: In the heat, shower all the time. Or at least when you leave the house. Ensure you shower and use a body wash with antibacterial properties. These help reduce the build up of bacteria and keep your skin clean. If you do not have access to water all the time, then use wet wipes to clean your armpits, behind your knees, elbows, and as many places as possible.
  If wipes are also expensive then dip a towel in water with essential oils in it. Keep it in a plastic bag, and stick it in the fridge. Wipe yourself with it every time you leave the house. 

• Choose light clothing: Summers require summer clothing. Go for very light and breathable fabrics to keep your body cool. Cotton t-shirts can come in plenty of fancy forms if you are worried about fashion. Avoid synthetic fibers like georgette as these materials trap heat, moisture, and odor. 

• Hydrate: Water is your friend! Drink more water than you generally would to keep your body cool and reduce sweating. A common myth is that drinking more water causes more sweat. That is wrong! Plenty of water flushes out toxins that cause body odor and also keeps you cool so that you don’t sweat a lot. 

• Change clothes often: Remember to change clothes often. Try to wear different clothes whenever you change in the summers. And do not repeat clothes until you wash them. 

Diet and Lifestyle

Your diet is a very big part of keeping cool, light, and odor-free too. Avoid eating strong body odor causing foods like garlic, onion, and spicy foods. These foods break down to excrete through your sweat. Fruits and vegetables are a great way to detoxify your body. 

Additionally, hydration helps manage your body temperature but also aids in the dilution and excretion of toxins that can contribute to body odor.

And believe it or not, exercise more! Exercise helps regulate your sweat and makes your body cool. Just remember to shower after working out and wear fresh clothes. 

Excessive Sweating can be concerning 

If you sweat excessively without a reason, then using a clinical strength antiperspirant can be the solution. They have higher levels of active ingredients that control sweat. You can also choose to use absorbent pads for your armpits to protect your clothes from stains. 

However, sweating can also be the result of a medical condition. Uncontrollable sweat should be treated by doctors or physicians to find the root cause. 

Daily Routines to follow 

For a detailed idea, you can follow my daily routine. 

Begin the morning with a refreshing shower. Use antibacterial body wash or soap. Dry yourself thoroughly with a clean towel and immediately wear your deodorant. Wear freshly washed clothes every single day and ensure they are breathable. 

I sit at work inside the air conditioned room every day. However, I carry perfumes all the time and keep spraying it every half hour. I even carry body wipes in case I need to go somewhere. 

For my night time ablutions, I shower and dry myself. I wear loose clothing at night and sleep like a baby. 

Psychological and Social Aspects of Staying Fresh

Hygiene is not only physical, but also psychological and social. Smelling fresh and being clean can boost your self-confidence and how people see you. This helps people be open to approaching you and also makes your professional and personal encounters better. 

Maintaining good hygiene makes a positive impact on other people and is part of social etiquettes. Moreover, people will respect you for making them comfortable around you. Body odor is very annoying to people around you. Moreover, some people may be sensitive and they may even gag. 

Moreover, being clean and hygienic helps keep your mood fresh and reduce stress. And dare I say it, increase your overall happiness. 

How to tell someone they smell

Throw super sensitivity and kindness out the window. If someone reeks, it is important to tell them kindly. Don’t ignore it and worry about offending them. Talk to them politely, offer them your perfume or deodorant. This way, they will take care of themselves more often. 

Wrap up

Staying fresh and smelling good during the summer doesn’t have to be a challenge. Whether you can invest in high-end perfumes or prefer budget-friendly options, these tips will help you maintain a pleasant fragrance all day long. Choose the right products, adopt good hygiene practices, and enjoy the summer with confidence! With a combination of effective personal care habits and smart product choices, you can stay fresh, comfortable, and smelling great no matter how high the temperature rises.