7 Ways to Prevent Body Odour ‘Coz S’pore is Always Melting

Last Updated on 2020-12-13 , 10:51 am

Living by the equator is a pretty fabulous thing. No snowstorms, an abundance of good food 24/7, no typhoons, and not (much) volcanoes/earthquakes trying to rip the land apart. The only problem everyone faces is the blisteringly hot weather, especially during dry season.

It’s humid heat too, which means you’re gushing like a waterfall from your armpits, feet, and forehead as soon as you step out from your cool, air-conditioned office.

Now the problem is how not to stink up the entire MRT when you’re on your way home. Sure, deodorant is one of the quick fixes, but it doesn’t have to be the only way.

1. Wear deodorant/antiperspirants

Just putting this up to get it out of the way – antiperspirants prevent you from sweating, while deodorant helps to mask the smell. Some antiperspirants/deodorants claim to last the entire day, but reapplying may be necessary if you’re doing something sweat-inducing (exercising or walking up and down town shopping, for example).

There’s been a lot of talk about deodorant/antiperspirants causing cancer, but so far nothing has been proven (not that I know of, anyway).

2. In a tight pinch and have no access to the above? Use hand sanitizer!

I get it – no one carries deodorant around in their handbags (if you do, good for you – but I certainly don’t), one of the quick ways to eliminate body odour (especially in your armpits) is to use hand sanitizer. Simply squeeze some onto your hands and rub them onto your armpits – they kill bacteria and thus will reduce BO.

If you want to be creative, you can even use lemon juice diluted with water to do the job (though make sure the lemon juice is DILUTED, as too much will irritate your skin).

3. Take a shower

Sounds like a no-brainer, but many people tend to choose to over-apply deodorants as a substitute for showering. While deodorants are good, they won’t help you eliminate all the yucky bacteria that accumulate while you sweat in the day. Rinsing your body and using soap is one of the quickest way to eliminate foul-smelling bacteria, so…practice good hygiene. Your friends will thank you for it.

4. Washing your clothes regularly

Again, this one sounds like a no-brainer – but many people tend to wear their shirts several times before washing them. Obviously, if you wear something you’ve sweated in, it’s going to make you smell bad. Wash yo’ laundry, don’t be lazy.

5. Avoid certain types of food

I have bad news – apparently food like curry, garlic, other spicy food, red meat, and processed food can affect how you smell. If you’re a foodie like me, then BO be damned – I’ll eat curry whenever I please, thanks.

There’s no need to quit spicy food (it’s too big a sacrifice, I would think), but you can up your intake of other types of food that help cleanse your insides such as leafy vegetables, whole grain, celery, mints…the list goes on.

6. Wear breathable clothing

Choking your pores can only lead to bad, bad things. Cotton is great. Thick polyesters? Not so much.

7. Shave your underarms if you want to reduce BO there.

This can apply to both genders, although women are the ones who do the shaving underarm thing more often than men do. Hair absorbs body odour easily, hence shaving it reduces the chances of BO.

Featured Image: Doucefleur / Shutterstock.com