Skip to content
3 Common Causes of Body Odor & How to Get Rid of It
No one likes to smell bad. But the causes of body odor can be difficult, if not impossible, to avoid. Once body odor shows up, it can feel like a constant uphill battle to keep it away. Stopping body odor at its source may be the best way to move past it for good.
For all the reasons you may notice an unpleasant smell lingering on your body and clothes, we are here to offer advice on three common causes of body odor and how to get rid of it. Whether it’s caused by excessive sweating or your lifestyle, you’ll be ready to tackle it. You can count on OffCourt to be there for your skin during its best and worst moments.
Three Common Causes of Body Odor
There are three main causes of body odor – your sweat glands, the type of clothes you wear, and your deodorant can all affect it. By knowing what causes your body odor, you’ll be better prepared to counter it.
1. Sweat Glands
Everybody has sweat glands; they’re completely normal and natural. Body odor begins in the sweat glands, which are present in the skin layer known as the dermis. There are eccrine, apocrine, and sebaceous glands that all produce slightly different fluids.
Eccrine glands are found all over the body and in every skin type. Sebaceous and apocrine glands are connected to hair follicles, and the latter is only present in the armpits, genitals, and scalp, where they become active once puberty hits.
It may surprise you to know that sweat is actually mostly odorless on its own. However, its purpose is to settle on the skin and help cool us off. While settling, it mixes with the bacteria culture on our skin, which creates the bad smell we associate with sweating.
The more you move and the warmer your body gets, the more you’ll sweat. It is also a normal bodily function that happens throughout the day, though it’s less noticeable. That’s why wearing deodorant or antiperspirant every day is a good idea, even if you don’t plan on exercising.
2. Non-Breathable Clothing
Some clothes offer more circulation and breathability than others. Many workout clothes are designed with sweat-wicking and airy fabrics to help you cool off faster. However, you should also be mindful of what materials your everyday clothes are made of as well.
Cotton is most frequently cited as a very breathable fabric. However, because it’s a natural material, it absorbs moisture very well. That makes it a great choice for everyday clothes but a bad one for workout clothes.
On the other hand, polyester and nylon can be a good middle ground as they are much better at wicking away sweat and other moisture. However, you’ll have to check the tightness of the weave and the thickness of the fibers to figure out if that particular garment will be breathable. Merino wool is another great choice. It doesn’t retain odors like synthetic materials might, but it isn’t the most durable fabric either.
If you are someone who tends to sweat a lot in everyday life, try to stick to natural materials for your clothes. This will make them less likely to show sweat stains and help you keep cool throughout the day.
3. Diet and Lifestyle
Believe it or not, your diet has an impact on what your body smells like. Are you someone who eats a lot of garlic and onions? The bacterial reaction on your skin may smell slightly more like sulfur.
High stress and frequent alcohol consumption are also likely to make you sweat more than usual. The more you sweat, the more it’ll mix with the bacteria on your skin and create a stronger odor.
How to Get Rid of Body Odor
There is no way to permanently get rid of body odor, just like there’s no way to permanently stop sweating. But that doesn’t mean all hope is lost. You can combat body odor by eliminating some of its root causes. For those who live active lifestyles and often find themselves sweaty by the end of the day, avoiding perspiration may not be an option. Luckily, OffCourt is here to help. Our products are designed to crush unwanted body odor without hindering your body’s natural ability to cool off. Ingredients that stave off bad, odor-producing bacteria and help your skin stay fresh keep you smelling (and feeling) amazing all day long. Let’s dive into what you can do to say goodbye to body odor once and for all.
Showering
Showering may not be necessary every day. But if you are noticeably sweaty, it’s a good idea to wash it away. Our Deep-Cleansing Body Wash will ensure that the sweat and bacteria that caused your body odor are eliminated down to the source. It features glycolic and lactic acids, which deeply scrub out sweat-filled pores to leave behind softer, smoother skin.
Our formula is sulfate-free, so it won’t strip away your skin’s natural moisture, either. Enjoy relaxing and powerful fragrances while you lather up with a product that’s designed for needs just like yours. And since our scents are designed to be unisex, you don’t have to waste time searching for a men’s body wash or a women’s body wash. No matter which scent you choose, you are sure to get the best body wash that helps keep you smelling good all day.
Deep Cleansing Body Wash - Fig Leaves + White Musk
Apply Deodorant Regularly
Deodorant and antiperspirant are the most commonly used products to lessen body odor and sweating. There’s some debate over deodorant vs. antiperspirant, but both kinds of products can help you limit body odor. Deodorant eliminates the smell caused by sweat, and antiperspirant reduces the amount that you sweat to begin with.
OffCourt’s Performance Body Spray is an aluminum-free deodorant and body spray combination product that works with your skin. It’s made with prebiotics that feed good bacteria and keep odor-causing bacteria away. Three active deodorizing ingredients work to keep any new smells at bay.
What’s most unique about the body spray is that it works with your skin rather than against it. The natural ingredients balance out your skin’s biosphere to reduce unwanted odor rather than just covering it up with an artificial smell. Spray onto the areas where you need odor coverage for up to eight hours of results. Layer it on as a body spray to seal the deal.
Performance Body Spray - Fresh Citron + Driftwood
Apply a Fragrance
Keep your fresh smell lingering throughout the day with our one-of-a-kind fragrances. Inspired by the same delightful scents you’ll find in our body spray and body wash, our Fragrance is the perfect finishing touch. All of our fragrances are formulated to be highly potent and unisex, so they can be used as a perfume or a cologne. Whisk yourself away to sandy beaches, woodsy forests, or tropical paradises with our layered and dynamic scents. Unwanted body odors won’t stand a chance.
Fragrance - Coconut Water + Sandalwood
Final Thoughts: How to Prevent Body Odor
There are multiple body odor causes – and truth be told; everybody smells sometimes. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, especially since there are so many ways to work around it. Beyond paying more attention to your clothes and daily activities, we are sure you’ll love our line of hygiene products designed to get to the root of body odor.
OffCourt’s best-smelling body washes both exfoliate and deeply cleanse to keep your pores clear and skin smelling great. Our deodorant body spray and fragrances work in a tight pinch when you need to rush from one event to the next and don’t have time to shower.
Sweating and body odor are a normal part of life. Rather than wondering what causes body odor, consider how to keep it under control. OffCourt is here to keep you smelling great no matter what your day entails. Check out the rest of our product line for more ways to smell and feel your best.