Keep it XXXtra Fresh:
How to Manage
Body Odor
Let’s face it, we all know a thing or two about body odor. Whether we notice it after a trip to the gym, a long day spent getting to and from work, or during a hot summer day, body odor knows how to be a major part of our lives. While your own personal scent is natural and totally up to you, we’re here to help you understand the causes and possible treatments if you’re eager to freshen things up (and down) a bit. From feeling a little less embarrassed while you’re riding the subway to boosting your confidence on a big first date, discover our expert tips for how body odor forms and how to manage it best below.
WHAT EXACTLY IS BODY ODOR?
Body odor is as common as bodies are, which means it affects just about everyone. Our bodies naturally excrete sweat every day to rid the body of waste and cool down. Sweat glands produce secretions that are rich in proteins, salt, and water which act as food for bacteria on our skin, and as the bacteria metabolizes, their biproducts contribute to odor development.
Some areas of our body are more prone to trapping moisture such as the armpits, neck, and anywhere on the body with reduced air flow due to folds in the skin, like chests, armpits, and the pubic area. Auxiliary hair, or hair that’s not on your head (like body hair or pubic hair) often traps moisture and bacteria easily, which can also contribute to body odor.
This is also why body odor may smell different in different areas of your body, due to the varying degrees where bacteria may grow and produce odor. Body acne also tends to crop up in regions of the body where there’s limited air flow or where you’re more likely to sweat or have a higher concentration of oil and moisture.
WHAT LEADS TO BODY ODOR?
HOW TO FEEL FRESH FROM HEAD-TO-TOE
While a person’s body odor is a completely natural and common occurrence, treating it is a personal choice that can often be motivated by reasons related to hygiene. Afterall, the cornerstone of body odor prevention is good personal hygiene. Regular showers with soap, body washes, or cleansers are key, especially after exercise or strenuous activities, focusing on the areas that tend to sweat more such as the armpits, chest, and groin area. Additionally, opting for effective antiperspirants and deodorants can help you significantly manage body odor.
Deodorants
Consistently using a deodorant can help manage moisture and control body odor. These formulas can take the form of a solid, powder, cream, lotion, serum, or spray, and can be fragranced or un-fragranced. You’ll want to look for ingredients like probiotics and acids including Gentle Mandelic, Lactic, Glycolic and Salicylic, in addition to Plant-Based Starch that can help control bacteria and prevent unwanted odors.
“Odor-causing bacteria thrive in moist environments such as underarms, chest, and intimate areas. Our lightweight, frictionless cream-to-powder deodorant offers a powder-dry finish and provides 96-hour odor control.” Dr. Nancy Ilaya, PhD, Kiehl’s Global Scientific Director.
Not all deodorants, however, can be used all over the body. There are some designed just for the armpits due to their specific formulation, alcohol content, antiperspirant properties, and safety testing. Our Over & Under Cream-To-Powder Deodorant is suited for anywhere your body produces odor thanks to its moisture-wicking capabilities and frictionless, gentle, powder dry finish. It's formulated without Talc and Aluminum, and has been gynecologically tested for safety and can be applied on your underarms, chest, inner thighs, and (yes!) even intimate areas.
Antiperspirants
Antiperspirants specifically target sweat production, which helps to control body odor as less sweat means that less bacteria can grow. These formulas often contain active agents that reduce perspiration, and they come in stick formats, serums, powder, creams, and more. They can be great for playing sports or physical activities where you know you’ll sweat more.
If you’re looking for an effective antiperspirant for your body (but not your intimate areas), we recommend using our beloved Superbly Efficient Antiperspirant & Deodorant Cream, a gentle, unscented deodorant and antiperspirant that works to absorb moisture while leaving underarms feeling soft and smooth.
Personal Hygiene
Body odor can be managed with good hygiene, by wearing breathable clothing, regularly changing your clothes following physical activities, a diet that considers its impact on your body odor, and the use of soaps, exfoliants, and body washes as part of a regular shower routine.
Opting for natural fibers like cotton and linen over synthetics such as polyester and nylon can greatly help with enhanced breathability. Frequent clothing changes are key, particularly if you are prone to perspiration. Damp clothing can be a haven for bacteria, so by changing into fresh clothes or showering after activities, you can reduce the bacterial count on your skin and minimize the potential for body odor to take hold.
If you’re interested in learning more about intimate care, and how to freshen up all over, check out our Pubic Library, a comprehensive learning hub on all things related to intimate care and sexual wellness.
SHOP THIS ARTICLE
Ingrown Hair and Tone-Correcting Intimate Drops
Lightweight yet efficacious ingrown hair drops that are formulated with a Gentle AHA blend to help minimize the look of ingrown hairs and even skin tone, with minimal irritation.
Over & Under Cream-To-Powder Deodorant
A cream-to-powder deodorant with a gentle acid blend that's formulated to provide 96-hour odor control and minimize feelings of discomfort due to friction.
Superbly Efficient Antiperspirant & Deodorant Cream
A gentle, yet effective unscented deodorant and antiperspirant. Fragrance-free
“Made for ALL” Gentle Body Cleanser
A gentle, biodegradable body wash for the whole family, ages 3+
