Why does sweat smell, and how can you get rid of the odour?
Fresh sweat has almost no smell. Odour appears later, when bacteria on the skin break down substances released by the sweat glands.
Short answer
To reduce odour, wash and thoroughly dry your skin regularly, wear breathable clothing, and wash it promptly. An antiperspirant reduces the amount of sweat, while a deodorant addresses the smell itself. If your body odour changes suddenly for no clear reason, discuss it with a doctor.
Where the odour comes from
People have two main types of sweat glands. Eccrine glands cover almost the entire skin and release watery sweat that cools the body. Apocrine glands are found mainly in the underarms and groin and become active during adolescence.
Sweat itself has almost no smell. The typical odour appears when bacteria on the skin’s surface break down substances in the secretion of the apocrine glands. That is why the smell is usually strongest in the underarms.
What makes the odour stronger
Odour depends not only on how much you sweat, but also on how long moisture stays on the skin and in the fabric.
- Infrequent washing and skin that is not fully dry after a shower.
- Underarm hair, which holds moisture and bacteria for longer.
- Synthetic and tight clothing that does not let air through.
- Certain foods and drinks: garlic, onions, spicy food, and alcohol.
- Stress: apocrine glands become more active when you are anxious.
What helps every day
Wash your underarms with mild soap and dry the skin thoroughly: a damp environment suits bacteria. Choose loose clothing made of cotton and other natural fabrics, and change it after a hot day or a workout.
Wash clothes before the odour sets into the fabric. Synthetics hold on to odour more strongly, so it is better to wash them after every wear.
Antiperspirant or deodorant?
A deodorant masks odour or holds back bacteria, but it does not reduce the amount of sweat. An antiperspirant works differently: it reduces sweating in the area where it is applied, leaving bacteria with less moisture to work with. We explain the difference in more detail in the article “Antiperspirant and deodorant: what is the difference?”
OKEY contains no fragrance: it does not cover odour with a scent, but helps keep the underarms dry. It is applied in the evening to clean, completely dry skin and washed off in the morning. After that, you can use your usual deodorant if you wish.
When to see a doctor
Ordinary sweat odour is a normal feature of the body. But if the smell changes noticeably for no clear reason, becomes unusual — for example sweetish or sharply chemical — or persists despite careful hygiene, discuss it with a doctor.
It is also worth seeing a doctor if you suddenly start sweating much more than usual or if sweating interferes with work and social life.
