Guide to Starting An Underarm Care

When it comes to underarms, we tend to focus on what we don’t want them to do. We don’t want them to be bumpy or to smell. We don’t want them to sweat or stain our clothes. But even those of us with an extensive face and skincare routine are happy to slather on deodorant and call it a day.

Cleanse Daily

Gently wash your underarms daily with a bar of mild soap to reduce the growth of smelly bacteria.

Maintain your Razor

If you shave your armpits, it’s important to maintain a clean, sharp razor. Shaving creates micro-tears in the delicate underarm skin — a prime opportunity to introduce bacteria and infection. Should you decide to shave your underarms, it can actually help to prevent odour, since the hair traps sweat, providing ideal conditions for bacteria to multiply

Wear Breathable Fabrics

Another way to naturally combat underarm wetness is to wear fabrics that allow moisture to evaporate. This includes natural fibres like cotton, linen, bamboo and hemp. Silk, though natural traps moisture just like synthetic fabrics (such as polyester, viscose/rayon, nylon and Lycra blends). Wear clothes made from natural fibres, such as wool, silk or cotton: they allow your skin to breathe, letting sweat evaporate faster, so smelly armpits are less likely to develop.

Watch what you eat

Some foods – especially spicy ones – can contribute to underarm odour because their scent can be carried in your sweat. Try cutting out things like garlic and red meat and see if there’s any improvement.

Remember to refresh.

This might be an obvious one, but make sure you remember to top up your deodorant before doing anything that’s going to get you working up a sweat, whether it’s hitting the gym or enduring the bus at rush hour.

Finally, a strange concept, some might say! Though if you’ve been frequenting waxing salons or have your pits regularly lasered, then a calming or antibacterial cream is pretty standard. It’s there to prevent itchiness, soothe redness, smooth away bumps and fine lines, you know, the works! But it doesn’t have to be a cream.