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Velvet Digest

Why do my armpits smell even after a shower?

Author

Sophia Koch

Updated on April 30, 2026

The odor can be caused by poor hygiene or not using the right products. Or there may be an underlying medical condition that needs to be treated. Using an over-the-counter (OTC) antiperspirant or deodorant (or a combination antiperspirant-deodorant) daily, after your shower, can help remedy armpit odor.

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Similarly one may ask, why do my armpits smell even after washing them?

The bad smell that builds up is from what bacteria excrete in your pits. It's the pits because they have extra-active sweat glands that are different from the rest of the body, and the nature of the armpit is a warm, moist, enclosed place, which is just what bacteria love.

Likewise, how do I stop my armpits from smelling? If you want to be "odor-free" consider the following tips:

  1. Apply an antiperspirant at bedtime.
  2. Keep your underarms dry.
  3. Try a solution of hydrogen peroxide and water to fight body odor.
  4. If sweat from working out is your No.
  5. Change your diet.
  6. If you have excessive sweating (called hyperhidrosis), talk to your doctor.

Beside above, why do I have body odor even after I shower?

When sweat from apocrine glands reacts with bacteria on your skin, it causes body odor. See the best natural deodorants here. Most body odor can be managed with proper hygiene. Regular showers, applying deodorant, wearing clean clothes and brushing your teeth regularly can help manage your body odor.

How do I get rid of body odor after shower?

Shower with Antibacterial Soap Wash away sweat and odor-causing bacteria by taking regular baths or showers. Be sure to use anti-bacterial soap as these are designed and proven to remove odor-causing bacteria. Take time to thoroughly wash areas of the body that are more prone to sweating such as underarms and feet.

Related Question Answers

What foods cause smelly armpits?

5 foods and drinks that affect body odor
  • Cruciferous Vegetables. Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and kale are just a few of the more popular cruciferous vegetables.
  • Asparagus. Eating asparagus can result in urine that smells like rotten cabbage due to sulfur compounds.
  • Garlic, Onions, Cumin and Curry.
  • Seafood.
  • Alcohol.

How do you detox your underarms?

Most armpit detoxes use a homemade mask of bentonite clay and apple cider vinegar. Some also include water to dilute the vinegar. Others use equal parts bentonite clay and coconut oil for a more soothing, hydrating mix that still has some antibacterial properties, thanks to the coconut oil.

What is the best women's deodorant?

Your Guide to the Best Deodorants for Sweaty Women
  • Secret Clinical Strength Smooth Solid Women's Deodorant.
  • CertainDri.
  • Dove Advanced Care Sensitive Antiperspirant.
  • Almay Sensitive Skin Clear Gel Antiperspirant Deodorant.
  • Kopari Coconut Deodorant.
  • Underarmed Active Botanical Luxury Deodorant.
  • Dove Dry Spray Antiperspirant Deodorant.
  • Pacifica Underarm Deodorant Wipes.

How do I get armpit odor out of clothing?

White vinegar is a powerful odor neutralizer and works wonders on underarm areas of fabrics. Fill your washing machine with water, then add 1/3 cup of white vinegar. Turn off the machine and let the garment soak for 20 minutes, then launder as usual.

What home remedy is good for body odor?

These 5 Home Remedies Will Help You Kill Body Odour
  1. #1 Baking soda. Baking soda helps absorb moisture from the skin, reducing odour.
  2. #2 Apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar eliminates odour by balancing the pH level of your skin.
  3. #3 Lemon juice. Lemon juice acts as a great antiseptic, getting rid of odour-causing bacteria.
  4. #4 Witch hazel.
  5. #5 Tomatoes.

Can showering too much make you smell?

When you don't bathe enough, these cells can stick to your skin and cause hyperpigmentation. Resuming good hygiene can correct this condition. If you go too long between showers you may experience: increased body odor.

How do you permanently get rid of body odor?

But you can do a few things to make body odor go away.
  1. Keep Yourself Squeaky Clean.
  2. Use Antibacterial Soap.
  3. Towel Off Well.
  4. Use 'Industrial Strength' Antiperspirants.
  5. Keep Your Clothes Clean.
  6. Cut Out or Cut Back On Certain Foods or Drinks.

What causes armpit odor?

Body odor is caused by bacteria breaking down sweat and is largely linked to the apocrine glands. Most of the apocrine glands in the skin are located in the groin, armpits, and around the nipples. In the skin, they usually have an odor. They are scent glands.

What does cancer smell like?

Cancer raises polyamine levels, and they do have a distinct odor. Using an electronic nose, researchers have been able to detect prostate cancer from urine smell print profiles. These studies, and others like them, are a promising area of cancer research. It's still in its infancy, though.

What is the best soap for body odor?

Dove Men+ Care Deep Clean is a deodorant soap for men that's designed to fight body odor while it maintains men's skin health. This bar soap has been tested by Dermatologist and has been found to be the number one recommended soap for men.

What is the best deodorant for body odor?

So, if you're fed up with yours try these five best deodorants for body odor:
  1. PiperWai. Image Source.
  2. Schmidt's Natural Deodorant. Image Source.
  3. For Pits Sake! Natural Deodorant.
  4. Dove Men+Care Cool Fresh Antiperspirant Stick. Image Source.
  5. Stank Stop Deodorant. Image Source.

Can digestive problems cause body odor?

Symptoms that indicate digestive problems: Excessive flatulence or strong odor (accompanied by other symptoms) Severe stomach/abdominal pain or bloating.

Can you smell your own body odor?

Firstly, you can't really smell your own body odor in general. It could be possible that you do smell bad (no offense) because of sweat, your clothes, breath, or because of cooking foods with unpleasant smells, like onions, egg, or meats. Use soap, and wash your hands with lemons, if they have an unpleasant scent.

How do I smell good all day?

Here are our 18 tips for smelling good all day.
  1. Drink Plenty of Water.
  2. Spritz in the Closet.
  3. Store a Scented Sachet in Your Underwear Drawer.
  4. Perfume Your Hairbrush.
  5. Spray Your Bare Torso with Fragrance.
  6. Blend with Other Favorite Scents.
  7. Apply Lightly Scented Deodorant.
  8. Use Shoe Spray.

Does body odor get worse with age?

Studies show that body odor changes as we age. It's true that one recently found substance in human body odor, called 2-Nonenal, tends to increase with aging, according to a study from researchers in Japan published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

How do you keep your VAG smelling good?

The following techniques may help you naturally eliminate unusual vaginal odors:
  1. Practice good hygiene. Clean the outside of your vagina regularly with a washcloth and mild soap.
  2. Use only exterior deodorizing products.
  3. Change your underwear.
  4. Consider a pH product.
  5. Try essential oils.
  6. Soak in vinegar.
  7. Prescription treatments.

What causes extreme armpit odor?

Certain foods and drinks you've consumed, as well as certain kinds of medication, can also cause eccrine sweat to smell. Apocrine glands work primarily under stress, secreting an odorless fluid. This fluid begins to develop an odor when it comes into contact with bacteria on your skin.

Why do my armpits smell like onions even with deodorant?

When the bacteria break down the sweat they form products called thioalcohols, which have scents comparable to sulfur, onions or meat. "They're very very pungent," says Bawdon. Most deodorants block sweat glands or kill off underarm bacteria. Blocking the sweat glands sometimes leads to irritated or swollen skin.

Does shaving armpits reduce smell?

Unfortunately, shaving your armpits won't make you sweat less because the practice doesn't affect the glands that produce perspiration. However, shaving armpit hair can help reduce body odor [source: Willacy]. Because hair is porous, it readily absorbs odors.