Some home treatments, such as witch hazel extract tea or green tea, can help eliminate armpit odor, as they have antimicrobial properties, which help eliminate bacteria or fungi, which multiply when there is excessive sweat, skin debris, mineral salts and water in the armpits, producing substances that cause the bad smell.
Armpit odor can arise due to high temperatures, and is common to occur in summer, as it is normal for the body to sweat more at this time of year, but it can also arise due to food, such as excessive consumption of sulfur foods, such as garlic or onions, or it could even be indicative of hormonal problems or diabetes, for example.
Home treatments for bad underarm odor can help alleviate the smell of sweat. You should also change your blouse daily, wash your armpits at least once a day and reduce your consumption of onions and garlic. If the bad smell does not improve, you should consult a dermatologist so that the most appropriate treatment can be indicated. See treatment options for bad armpit odor.
Home remedy options
Some home treatment options for underarm odor are:
1. Witch hazel extract tea
Witch hazel extract tea has an antibacterial effect, helping to eliminate bacteria from the armpit, in addition to having a natural astringent action, which helps to contract skin tissues, reducing sweat production and combating underarm odor.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of witch hazel extract;
- 1 cup of boiling water.
Preparation mode
Add the witch hazel extract to a cup of boiling water. Once warm, strain, wait for it to warm and apply the tea to your armpits with the help of gauze or a cotton ball, 2 to 3 times a day, especially after bathing.
This tea should not be ingested, as it can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting or liver problems. Furthermore, it should not be used by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women.
2. Tea tree essential oil
Tea tree oil, or tea treeis rich in substances with antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory action, such as terpinene and cineole, which help fight bacteria or fungi, helping to eliminate bad odor in armpits.
Ingredients
- 5 drops of tea tree essential oil;
- 2 tablespoons of coconut, sweet almond or olive oil.
Preparation mode
Mix the ingredients and apply it to your armpits, 3 times a day, for a maximum of 6 days in a row.
Before applying tea tree oil to your armpits, you should check if you are allergic to this oil and, therefore, it is recommended to apply a drop of tea tree oil to the skin on the back of your hand. If allergy symptoms such as redness, itching, swelling or the formation of small blisters appear on your hand, you should wash your skin and not use tea tree oil as a home remedy for underarm odor.
Tea tree oil should not be used by pregnant women.
3. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a good home treatment option for bad armpit odor, as it is an acidic substance, it helps eliminate fungi and bacteria that cause bad armpit odor.
Ingredients
Preparation mode
Mix the ingredients and place in a spray bottle. Then spray the mixture on your armpits, massaging with gentle movements, and leaving it to act for 15 minutes. Finally, wash your armpits, but avoid using very hot water, as this can dry out the skin.
4. Baking soda paste with lemon
Baking soda and lemon paste can also help eliminate strong underarm odor, as it has antimicrobial action that helps eliminate bacteria that cause bad odor.
It is recommended to apply the baking soda and lemon paste after bathing, preferably at night, as lemon can cause spots or burns on the skin when exposed to the sun.
Ingredients
- 1/2 lemon;
- 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda.
Preparation mode
Cut the lemon in half and place the baking soda on top, applying a little pressure to mix the juice with the bicarbonate. During the shower, rub the lemon with baking soda on your armpits and leave it to act for about 5 minutes. Then wash with plenty of water.
5. Thyme, sage and lavender solution
The thyme, sage and lavender solution has properties that help heal the skin and combat the development of bacteria, in addition to having a refreshing effect, helping to alleviate underarm odor.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of dried thyme;
- 2 tablespoons of dry lavender;
- 2 tablespoons of dry sage;
- 1 tablespoon of lemon peel;
- 2 tablespoons of cider vinegar;
- 250 mL destilada witch hazel.
Preparation mode
To prepare the deodorant, simply mix the thyme, lavender, sage, lemon peel and witch hazel and place in a covered container, letting it rest for about 1 week. After this time, strain, mix and place in a vaporized bottle. Finally, add the vinegar and shake the mixture well.
This solution can be used whenever necessary and to prevent the strong smell of armpit sweat.
6. Green tea
Some studies show that green tea, scientifically known as Camellia sinensis, has phenolic compounds in its composition, such as epigallocatechin, which works by preventing the production of sulfur compounds by bacteria in the armpit, which cause bad odor. Furthermore, green tea has a disinfectant and deodorizing action.
Ingredients
- 2 bags of green tea;
- 1 cup of boiling water.
Preparation mode
Add the green tea bags to the cup of boiling water and let it steep for 10 minutes. Wait for it to warm up, remove the sachet and press the sachet, one in each armpit, for about 5 minutes. Then rinse your armpits.
7. Arrowroot and white clay paste
This deodorant is capable of absorbing excess perspiration from the skin, helping to eliminate the bacteria responsible for the unpleasant smell. To prepare a deodorant in powder form, you will need:
Ingredients
- 50 grams;
- 2 tablespoons of white clay;
- 7 drops of lavender essential oil;
- 5 drops of sage essential oil;
- 2 drops of patchouli essential oil.
Preparation mode
Mix arrowroot and white clay. Then, add the essential oils, drop by drop, stirring constantly. Let the powder sit for a few days, until the oils are completely absorbed.
This paste can be easily applied to the armpit using a wide brush or makeup sponge, and should be used as often as necessary.
8. Clove infusion
Clove is rich in essential oil and eugenol, which have antiseptic and antibacterial action, helping to combat and eliminate bacteria that cause bad odor in the armpits, in addition to being refreshing.
Ingredients
- 6 g of cloves;
- 1 liter of boiling water.
Preparation mode
Place the cloves in boiling water and let it rest for 15 minutes. Strain the mixture and reserve it in a vaporizer bottle. This mixture can be applied to the armpits whenever necessary, preferably after showering or after washing the armpits, and it is recommended to apply and let it dry naturally.
9. Herbal Solution
An excellent home remedy to reduce the smell of underarm sweat is a natural deodorant made with cypress and lavender essential oils, as these plants have properties that inhibit the proliferation of bacteria responsible for the odor.
Ingredients
- 60 mL destilada witch hazel;
- 10 drops of grapefruit seed extract;
- 10 drops of cypress essential oil;
- 10 drops of lavender essential oil.
Preparation mode
Place all ingredients in a vaporizer bottle and shake well. This herbal solution can be applied to the underarms whenever necessary.
