I think it's fair to say that everyone's worst nightmare is being smelly. I mean, who wants to be that person everyone steps away from because they have seriously bad BO? But body odor doesn't always mean someone has bad hygiene. Many times it has more to do with your apocrine glands, your eccrine glands, your sebaceous glands and your hormones than how clean you really are. Either way, if I smell a stinky person on the train, I'm not thinking about their hormones, I'm just thinking about getting the hell away from them!
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Not feeling so fresh lately? Don't stress it, girl, there are ways you can chase those stinks away. You already know the basics: shower daily with a mild soap (twice a day if needed), wear deodorant and avoid clothes that trigger sweat. But if you're still having problems even following those basic hygiene rules, here are a few other things that might help!
Smelly pits: Whether you have smelly underarms or not, I think everyone should be applying deodorant every morning and every night before bed. After all, we all get a little sweaty down there, especially during the summer. Don't tell me you never taken a whiff of your pits when it's hot out? If deodorant doesn't seem to cut it for you, look for antiperspirants that contain aluminum and help block sweating action. If that doesn't work, try talking to your doctor about antibiotic creams.
Bad breath: My dad is a dentist, so I pretty much know everything there is to know about keeping your breath nice and fresh. Aside from brushing your teeth every morning and every night, consider keeping a tooth brush and small paste in your purse or at your work desk so you can brush after lunch. Also, don't forget to floss. Flossing helps remove food in between your teeth that your brush may not be able to reach that can later cause odor. Keep a separate toothbrush to brush down your tongue and avoid eating smelly foods like onions, garlic, and curry too often. Last but not least, make sure you schedule a cleaning with your dentist every six months. Trust me–it makes all the difference in the world!
Stinky feet: Damp socks or wearing the same shoes day after day and for hours and hours can of course cause some funky foot odor. Your feet needs to breathe! If you're struggling with sweaty feet, try a foot powder like Dr. Scholl's Odor-X Odor Fighting Foot Powder ($7). If the problem continues, see your doctor to make sure it's not the side effects of a more serious health condition.
Smelly hair: Even with the new no-poo movement, I know a lot of women who really can't go a day without washing their hair otherwise they'll be walking around with a head full of grease and a not-so-nice odor. If you absolutely have to wash your hair everyday, okay, but if you can get away with it, try applying some dry shampoo to your roots every other day. It absorbs oil and leaves your hair smelling fresh. I really like TRESemme Fresh Start Dry Shampoo Spray ($5).
Funky vagina: First of all, let me remind you ladies that the vagina has its own unique scent. It's not going to smell like flowers. BUT if you do notice a funky odor that's hard to miss, you might want to check with your doctor to make sure you don't have a bacterial infection or STD. If you don't, make sure to only wash with water and a mild fragrance-free soap. Douches, feminine washes and soups with fragrance can set off your vaginal pH, making you prone to infections.
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