What to Do if You Forgot to Put on Deodorant
You’re in the middle of your workday and you suddenly get a sinking feeling in your stomach when you realize you forgot to put on deodorant that morning. Don’t fret—you probably have something in your bag that will do the trick: hand sanitizer! Just dash into the bathroom, and rub some under your arms. Because it’s antibacterial, it will kill germs and odors. Crisis averted.
DIY Deodorant
If you don’t like the thought of rubbing chemicals on your armpits, you can get a lot of the same effects by using baking soda. Simply dust your pits with it when you get out of the shower. It will absorb odor-causing moisture, and kill bacteria (it’s super cheap, too!) To make it extra strength, add a couple of drops of sage or lavender essential oil to baking soda before applying.
Other All-Natural Deodorants
Apple cider vinegar can help stop body odor. Saturate a cotton ball with vinegar and apply it to your clean pits. Not only does it kill lingering odor-causing germs, but the acid also raises the pH of your skin, so that you won’t stink later. If the idea of wiping yourself down with vinegar doesn’t strike your fancy, try witch hazel, rubbing alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide. Any one of these will help you quickly eliminate body odor.
Foods that Cause BO
Did you know that certain foods can produce bodily odors long after mealtime. One way to reduce these odors is to cut back on the amount of meat in our diets. You don’t have to give up meat entirely, but if you eat a mostly vegetarian diet, you can help neutralize troublesome odors. In particular, green vegetables like spinach, kale, and wheatgrass are high in chlorophyll, a natural deodorizer.
Drink Tea to Reduce BO
If you have a problem with body odor, drink some sage tea. Not only does it contain tannins that reduce excess perspiration, but it also has a calming effect on the body. (Great for when stress at work is making you sweat more!) Drink a few sips here and there throughout the day for best results.
DIY Scrub for Body Odor
If you suffer from excessive BO, dead skin may be to blame. Mix together a cup of oatmeal with ½ cup honey. Apply this mixture all over skin like a scrub, then rinse off. The exfoliating combination will remove dead skin cells and help you smell better.
Do you have any other natural ways to relieve BO? Tell us in the comments section below, and don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter or follow us on Facebook for our Tip of the Day!