There are a lot of benefits to summertime. We’ve got a whole lot more sunlight, the weather is agreeable and taking half days on Fridays is a whole lot easier. The downside is that good times can quickly become awkward or uncomfortable when you get a whiff of your own B.O. Then, suddenly you’re self-conscious. And it’s not like you’re not trying. You shower in the morning, you spray on some cologne before you leave but by lunch, you can feel like a sweaty, smelly beast. Is there anything a guy can do? Actually there is. This is all about biology and chemistry, so using some science to combat the problem is the solution to a stink-free summer.
Body odor isn’t caused by sweat. “Sweat itself is odorless,” says Patricia K. Farris, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical associate professor at Tulane University School of Medicine. “Your body odor occurs because bacteria that lives on the skin breaks down sweat,” which causes the all too familiar and unpleasant funk. One solution is to eliminate some of the bacteria living on your skin with an antibacterial body wash. Give yourself a thorough scrub down during your morning shower and you can cut down on the unpleasantness later in the day.
83% of guys trim some or all of their body hair, according to a recent survey by Dollar Shave Club. What they may not realize, though, is that manscaping is good for more than just aesthetics: It reduces body odor, too. That’s because hair-producing areas like your armpits, chest and groin are particularly pungent because they’re home to large populations of apocrine sweat glands. These glands produce a kind of sweat that’s swarmed on by bacteria due to its high protein content—and the more bacteria present, the stronger the smell. When you trim the hair shorter, you give the bacteria less of an environment to thrive on, reducing swampy feelings and the resulting stink.
Protect Your Pits
Clinical Protection clear gel antiperspirant and deodorant, $13.58 by Gilette
Obviously, this is an area you want to target during the sweaty days of summer. And, of course, choosing a deodorant is a really personal decision. But if you think you may need extra protection during the warmer months, try an antiperspirant that’s branded “clinical or prescription strength.” Gillette’s antiperspirant gel is powerful enough to combat B.O. for up to 48 hours. The 6.25% aluminum chloride formula is more than double the typical 1-3% found in standard antiperspirants. So, it provides a much stronger shield from both odor and sweat than the sticks you find at the store.
Clinical Protection clear gel antiperspirant and deodorant, $13.58 by Gilette
Hydrated skin holds onto fragrance longer than dry skin. So apply a dry oil or body moisturizer to your torso (or at least where you plan on applying your fragrance) before you start spritzing. The fragrance molecules will actually cling to the emollients in the lotion or oil so it will last much longer.
Another way to ensure your cologne sticks around all day? Spritz the hair on the back of your head, just above your neck. The scent sticks to hair because of its natural oils. And this placement allows for what’s known in the fragrance industry as having a “strong trail,” which means people will get a whiff as you walk by or give them a hug.
Mind Your Feet
If you don’t watch it, your feet (and shoes) can be the source of some pretty offensive odors this time of year. According to Dr. Farris, feet often smell due to a bacteria called staphylococcus epidermis, which breaks down amino acids in your sweat. The result is an undesirable cheese-like smell that permeates shoes and can be difficult to get rid of. Make sure to scrub your feet in the shower (why are men not actually washing their feet?) Then, try to rotate your shoes between wearings to help them air out.
Stop going sockless. Anytime you wear shoes without socks (unless they’re sandals or slides that let your feet breathe) you’re going to encounter unpleasant odors. If you don’t like no-show socks because they’re constantly slipping around inside your shoes, try Gekks—these are less like socks and more like shoe liners that grip to the inside of footwear so they never show and never bunch up. Plus, they’re made with antimicrobial yarn that keep your shoes stink-free while also removing the possibility of blisters.
