Each body has different types of odor, but at times, the body develops a very bad smell and this can be something horribly unpleasant and worse, if it isn’t from you and you have to deal with someone else smelling bad. So if you don’t want your body odor to be the reason someone keeps their distance from you, then it is important to be precautious about body odor.
Reasons for bad body odor:
Body odor is not always in our control as certain factors like puberty, stress, lifestyle, diet changes and medications too play an important role in the odor our body emits. But what is under our control is personal hygiene as sometimes the main reason for our body odor could just be excessive sweating or poor body hygiene.
Body odor isn’t just limited to bad armpit odor, but can also be feet, mouth and belly button odor, including genital odor especially women.
Here are some home remedies to reduce body odor:
1. Apple cider vinegar armpit spray:
Ingredients:
- ½ cup rose water
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
(With ‘The Mother’)
Method:
Into a spray bottle, add in the rose water and apple cider vinegar and shake well before use. Spray this all over your armpits and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing off with plain water.
* Apple cider vinegar can help exfoliate the body as it contains alpha hydroxy acids that act as a chemical exfoliator and thereby, it can help remove dead skin cells, in turn making way for the new and rejuvenated skin cells below. It can also reduce odor by getting rid of bacteria.
2. Homemade mouth freshener to combat bad breath:
Ginger mint mouthwash:
- 4 glasses water
- 20 cloves
- 2 pieces of ginger
(around 3 inches each) - 1 handful of mint leaves
Method:
In a vessel on the stove, add the water and begin to heat it up. Add in the ginger, cloves and mint leaves and bring it to a boil and let it continue to boil for around 2 minutes. Turn off the flame and let it cool. You can store this mouthwash which is now ready to be used, at room temperature or even in the fridge.
* Cloves and ginger have anti-bacterial properties which can prevent bacterial growth and enhance oral health.
3. Apple cider vinegar bath soak for genital odor reduction:
Add around 200 ml of apple cider vinegar into your bathtub filled with warm water and relax for 15 to 20 minutes and let the apple cider vinegar do its job.
*The apple cider vinegar can help reduce genital bacteria and decrease odor.
4. Detox body mask:
This detoxifying mask removes dirt & impurities, leaving your skin with a healthy-looking complexion. Apply it under your armpits, your feet and whole body to detox and purify the skin
You will need –
- Bentonite Clay – 2 tbsp
- Apple cider vinegar – 1 tbsp.
- Water – 1 tbsp.
To use – Mix everything for a smooth paste and apply it on your body. Leave it on for 10 mins and rinse off.
5. Salt water and baking soda to reduce foot odor:
Take half a bucket of warm water and add in ¼ cup of rock salt and 2 tbsp baking soda and mix the water and soak your feet in for around 15 to 20 minutes. Then use a pumice stone or foot scrub and scrub your feet and then rinse off with plain water.
*The baking soda helps get rid of foul smell by reduction of bacteria and neutralizing the smell. The rock salt can help exfoliate the dead skin cells from the feet.
6. Lemon juice to get rid of belly button odor:
You will require around 1 tbsp of lemon juice in a bowl. Then, dip a cotton ball in the lemon juice and gently clean up your belly button and massage it in the area for a few minutes. Lastly, rinse off with plain water.
*The lemon juice will help get rid of the belly button odor by reducing bacteria and maintain the skin’s pH levels.
Tip: If you wish to use lemon essential oil, you can add around 2 drops of lemon essential oil to a cotton swab or cotton ball and then follow the same procedure as above.
*The lemon essential oil will help get rid of impurities and bacteria.