10 Quick & Easy DIY Natural Remedies For Smelly Armpits

Are you thinking about trying natural remedies for smelly armpits?

Don’t sweat! I’ve got you.

Despite how unpleasant it may be to go about with smelly armpits, it’s a problem that many people often face and is nothing to be ashamed of.

However, if you want to try something new in the hopes that it will get rid of, or at least lessen your underarm odor, let’s talk about what causes odor and natural remedies for smelly armpits.

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What Causes Smelly Armpits

Armpit odor is caused when bacteria in the armpits act on the secretions that are produced from the sweat glands under your arms.

Your body has sweat glands all over it because sweating is a vital process that keeps us cool.

How To Get Rid Of Underarm Odor & Sweating Permanently

Why Armpits Smell Even With Deodorant & Bathing: How to fix

10 Natural DIY Remedies For Smelly Armpits

While there are many great deodorant products on the market, sometimes they just do not do the job. Or, we decided that we want to try more natural alternatives.

In either case, when it comes to smelly armpits, a few natural home remedies have proven to help manage odor.

1- Baking Soda

Baking soda is a natural exfoliant with some antibacterial properties. It helps to keep the underarms dry and clean by removing sweat and dead skin cells that build up and encourage the accumulation of odor-causing bacteria.

It can be used by itself as a powder since the powder by itself can help to absorb odor. It can be mixed with water as a paste, or mixed with other ingredients like lemon juice, rose water, apple cider vinegar, etc.

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Baking Soda & Lemon Juice Scrub

Ingredients:

Baking Soda
Lemon Juice

Water
Mixing Bowl
Spoon/spatula

Directions:

Mix 1 tablespoon each of baking soda, lemon juice, and some water to make a paste.
Gently scrub it over your underarms for about 5 minutes

Wash it off using lukewarm water, and finish up by moisturizing your skin.
Repeat this method 3 or 4 times a week for best results (less if you have super sensitive or dry skin)
Apply sunscreen when going out

2- Lemon Juice

Lemon Juice is known for its antiseptic properties which help to reduce the number of bacteria that is present on the skin. It helps to keep the armpits clean. Plus lemon juice has a natural citric scent that can help to make a body odor better.

It can be applied by itself on the armpits or mixed with other ingredients.

I highly recommend using lemon mixed with baking soda, you can click here to read how.

3- Apple Cider Vinegar

Antimicrobial properties are characteristic of apple cider vinegar. This can eliminate odor-causing microorganisms and neutralize the environment in the underarm region.

The consistent usage of apple cider vinegar can also aid in limiting the persistent growth of bacteria. It can be applied to the underarms by itself, diluted with water, or mixed with other ingredients.

Click here to learn more about DIY Apple Cider Vinegar for Cleaner & Lighter Armpits

Apple Cider Vinegar OR Witch Hazel Toner

Ingredients:

Apple Cider Vinegar OR Witch Hazel

Water (if needed)
Cotton pads/balls
Mixing bowl

Directions:

Pour some apple cider vinegar OR the witch hazel into your bowl
If you need to dilute it, you may add some water until it is diluted enough for your skin

Dip the cotton ball or pad into the liquid and apply it to your armpits
Let it dry completely
Repeat daily

4- Witch Hazel

Witch Hazel has astringent and antibacterial properties. It can help lower the pH of your skin, thereby killing the odor-causing bacteria and combating underarm odor.

It can be applied to the skin like a toner using a cotton ball, diluted with water, or mixed with other ingredients.

5- Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has antimicrobial properties and is a significant source of antioxidants. It is therefore among the greatest methods for getting rid of underarm odor.

While aloe vera juice can assist with detoxification and lessen offensive odors, its topical use can get rid of the bacteria that causes stinky underarms. It can be applied to the armpits straight from the plant or the gel can be mixed with other ingredients.

6- Essential Oils

Many essential oils have great antibacterial properties that make them good at reducing the number of odor-causing bacteria in the armpits. They also have strong scents that help to cover/mask odors even as they work to lessen them.

The best essential oils for armpit odor include tea tree oil, lavender oil, peppermint oil, etc. However, they all need to be mixed with carrier oils or other ingredients and cannot be placed alone on the skin.

Related Article – 10 Simple Tips To Reduce Underarm Odor

Essential Oil Deodorant Spray

Ingredients:

Essential Oil of choice

Water
Spray Bottle

Directions:

Add a few drops of the essential oil to a glass of water.
Pour this into a spray bottle and spray directly on your underarms.
Let it dry completely

Repeat once or twice daily

Click here to read all about the Best Essential Oils For Armpits.

7- Epsom Salt

Epsom salt is rich in magnesium. Magnesium is an excellent compound as it helps to draw out all the toxins from the body.

And since bacteria tend to flourish on these toxins, drawing them out cleans the skin and prevents bacterial accumulation in the armpits. It is usually used in the bath as a soak.

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8- Potato

You see armpit bacteria thrive in armpits that are slightly acidic. Now by keeping our armpits neutral we can either kill or slow down their growth rate.

And potatoes can help to keep our armpit’s acidity nicely balanced.

The potato is washed, peeled, and sliced. The slices are rubbed on the cleaned armpit skin. This is done for about 30 minutes and then washed off with water.

You can Click here to learn more about Potatoes for Underarms

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9- Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a versatile oil that has great antimicrobial properties. Constant use can moisturize the skin and prevent the build-up of bacteria and fungi in the armpit area, leading to less odor.

Pure coconut can be applied directly to the skin or it can be mixed with other ingredients. However, keep in mind that coconut oil cannot replace your deodorant.

Coconut Oil + Essential Oil Underarm Lotion

Ingredients:

Unrefined (solid) coconut oil
Essential oil of choice
Mixing bowl

Spatula
Storage container

Directions:

Heat your coconut oil until it melts (just enough to melt it. Do not overheat it)
Add a few drops of your essential oil and mix it well
Pour it into your cleaned storage container

Let it cool completely until it is solid again
Apply to the underarms like a moisturizer twice daily or as often as needed

Coconut Oil For Underarms: Benefits, Cons & DIY Remedies – Verily Skin

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10- Castor Oil

Castor oil contains great antimicrobial properties that help to get rid of and control underarm bacteria. This helps to control odor.

However, castor oil is very thick and may block pores, so it is usually mixed with a thinner oil to achieve a runnier consistency that is easier to apply and keep on the armpits.

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Castor Oil + Coconut Oil + Essential Oil

Ingredients:

Castor Oil

Liquid (refined) Coconut Oil
Essential Oil of choice
Mixing bowl

Spoon/Spatula
Storage bottle or container

Directions:

Pour some of the castor oil into your mixing bowl
Add as much coconut oil as you need, but make sure that the mixture remains thin.
Add a few drops of your chosen essential oil.

Mix well to make sure all the ingredients are combined.
Pour into your cleaned storage container or bottle.
Apply to your underarms like a moisturizer once or twice daily, or as often as needed.

Shake well before each use.

Precautions To Keep In Mind When Using Natural Remedies For Smelly Armpits

Please note that while these home remedies and DIYs have proven to help manage underarm odor with constant use, they are not strong enough to do the work of your deodorants and antiperspirants on their own.

Therefore, I do not recommend that you try to permanently replace your deodorants with these remedies.

Instead, if you wish for a more natural alternative to your regular deodorants, you may switch to natural deodorants that you can use in combination with these home remedies to effectively manage smelly armpits.

Alternative Natural Deodorants

If you are looking to switch to natural deodorants here are a few great natural deodorants:

1-Ursa Major Natural Deodorant

Ursa Major does not believe that blocking your body’s sweat glands with aluminum is a healthy option. Instead, their deodorants work with your body to control bacteria and odor naturally. It is

Made with clean and effective ingredients

Made without aluminum, petrochemicals, SLS, SLES, parabens, synthetic fragrance or color, glycols, silicones, or PEGs
Long-lasting
Has a non-staining formula so it won’t ruin your clothes

Click here to check out the Ursa Major Natural Deodorant On Amazon.

2-Lovefresh – Natural Super Strength Deodorant

This deodorant is especially great for people who sweat a lot. It is aluminum-free and contains a variety of natural ingredients that help to prevent underarm odor.

Click here to see the price of Lovefresh – Natural Super Strength Deodorant on Amazon.

3-Dove 0% Aluminum Deodorant Stick

Dove is a big player in the traditional deodorant space, but it’s recently expanded into natural deodorants too. This natural deodorant stick:

Is the kindest aluminum-free deodorant with no compromise on odor protection
Is an effective aluminum-free deodorant stick that should provide 48-hour protection

Contains 25% moisturizers for soft and smooth underarms
Is gentle, alcohol-free formula with no baking soda
Is infused with fresh cucumber and green tea scent

Glides on easily for a smooth application

Click here to view the Dove 0% Aluminum Deodorant Stick on Amazon.

Types of Glands on Your Armpits

The two primary types of sweat glands are:

Eccrine glands: These have an opening on the surface of the skin and cover a large portion of your body.
Apocrine glands: These are found in locations with a high density of hair follicles, such as the armpit and groin. Apocrine glands release their contents into the hair follicle before opening up to the skin’s surface.

Eccrine glands produce perspiration to cool your body when it gets too hot. Until bacteria on your skin start breaking it down, it usually has no smell. In addition to specific types of medicine, certain meals and beverages you’ve consumed can also make eccrine sweat smelly.

On the other hand, apocrine glands primarily secrete an odorless fluid while under stress. When this fluid gets into touch with microorganisms on your skin, it starts to smell.

Now because these glands don’t begin producing anything until adolescence, people typically first become aware of their body odor around that time.

You can also use Benzoyl Peroxide For Underarm & Body Odor, click here to learn more

Also, consider Sunflower Oil For Underarms: Benefits & How To Use

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Sources:

Smelly Armpits: Causes, Treatments, Prevention, and More

How To Get Rid Of Underarm Odor (Smelly Armpits) Naturally