6 Expert-Approved Tips To Get Rid Of Armpit Odor (Hint: It's Not Just About Deodorant)

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

Welcome to sweat season. This is the time of the year when folks break out best deodorant (even one of the trendy new whole body deodorants). This is especially true for those who excessively sweat to begin with. And that's not just a few people: Roughly 15.3 million Americans deal with excess sweating, hyperhidrosis, according to a study in Archives of Dermatological Reseach.

Even if you don't sweat a bunch, it's still possible to struggle with armpit odor. However, there are a few ways to keep the smell at bay. Whether it happens while you're enjoying rooftop drinks, hitting the dance floor at an outdoor wedding, or lounging at the beach, team WH has you covered with dermatologist-approved tips on how to get rid of armpit odor.

Meet the experts: Mona Gohara, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and Women’s Health Advisory Board member. Lauren Eckert Ploch, MD, is a dermatologist and spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology. Dr. Deeptej Singh, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Sandia Dermatology.

But first, read on to find out what causes it to begin with.

What causes armpit odor?

You might assume that perspiration alone equals body odor, but it’s a bit more complex than that. The odor is caused by a combination of sweat and bacteria, says Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and Women’s Health Advisory Board member.

The two main types of sweat—emitted by eccrine and apocrine sweat glands—are both odorless. “Eccrine glands are found all over the body and release fluids to cool the body when it gets hot,” says Dr Gohara. “Apocrine glands are found in hairy areas like the armpits, groin, and scalp, and release an oily fluid when a person is stressed or during puberty.” The odor kicks in when bacteria on the skin comes into contact with the sweat.

How to get rid of armpit odor

Struggling with armpit odor can feel like an uphill battle. Luckily there are a few tips that might be able to help.

• Swipe at night: If you’re using an antiperspirant (which blocks both sweat and odor—deodorants just neutralizes odor) try applying it at night, says dermatologist Lauren Eckert Ploch, MD, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology. Antiperspirants use aluminum to plug up your sweat glands, and swiping it on in the evening hours (while you’re not perspiring) gives those sweat ducts more time to absorb the effects. You can give another swipe in the morning after showering, too. (And don't worry: There is no research to support the idea that antiperspirants can cause any ill health effects.)

• Dry before you apply: Most of us barely towel off before rolling on our odor-blocker and throwing on clothes. If you can, “wait approximately 15 minutes after showering before using antiperspirant,” says Ploch. If you’re running late, blast your pits with a blow-dryer on cool for ten seconds to speed up the process of drying before applying. (Sounds silly, but it works.)

• Wash with benzoyl peroxide: Since it's the bacteria that causes the odor, consider using antibacterial agents that can reduce the bacteria on your skin to improve the smell, says Ploch, who suggests using a benzoyl peroxide body wash in concentrations less than 10 percent if you’re in need of extra protection. A word to the wise: the ingredient is strong, so make sure it's completely rinsed off your body so that you don't accidentally bleach your towels, bath mat, or clothing, says Deeptej Singh, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Sandia Dermatology.

• Look for the 20 percent: If you’ve passed by the “clinical strength protection” antiperspirants at the drugstore in the past, now is the time to try them. Concentrations of 20 percent aluminum give these bad boys an extra boost for long days. On the flip side, some folks prefer to go aluminum-free, which is also okay. "There is a wide range of options from conventional to organic in this category," says Dr. Singh.

• Try the hand sanitizer hack: You slept in, rushed to get ready for a 9 a.m. meeting, and as you’re sitting on the train it hits you: no deodorant. In a pinch, swiping a little bacteria-fighting hand sanitizer under your arms can be a short-term solution until you can score some deodorant, says Ploch. (Skip this if you’ve recently shaved or waxed your pits—it’ll burn!)

• Switch up the brand: While there are no studies proving that deodorant immunity is a thing, anecdotally, sometimes a certain brand or scent just stops working. (Blame it on your chemistry, hormones, whatever.) If you’re halfway through summer and feel like your old stick just isn’t cutting it anymore, it’s worth trying out a new brand or scent to see if it helps.

Shop some of the best odor-fighting products below:

Antiperspirant ClearTone Skin Renew

Antimicrobial Hydrating Acne Creamy Wash, 4% Benzoyl Peroxide

Outlast Clear Gel Antiperspirant Deodorant

Whole Body Deo Aluminum Free Deodorant Stick

How to prevent smelly armpits

Getting rid of the stubborn odor is one thing, but preventing it is another. Here are some pointers beyond applying deodorant to keep in mind.

• Wear deodorant and antiperspirant together on dry armpits.

• Use glycolic pads under your arms to reduce bacteria, absorb sweat, and minimize hyperpigmentation.

• Try getting Botox in you armpits every three months to reduce how much you sweat.

• Re-apply aluminum-free deodorant throughout the day if you're going the more natural route.

You Might Also Like

• Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream

• These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals