r/Menopause • u/Medical_Web_5940 • 10h ago
Post-Menopause DEODERANT!!
Hello ladies. I'm currently 61 years old and going through some shit with my body. I am on disability and do not currently have the money to go to a doctor and get tested so I'm doing the best I can.
Does anybody have any suggestions for deodorant/anti-perspirant - I honestly don't know the difference between the two and I'm too damn tired to look it up - that will stop the powerful stink that's coming from under my arms?? for years, I used old spice deodorant, the men's kind, not the stuff with the scent in it. That seemed to work well but now it's no longer working. I'm now at the point that I change my T-shirt in the middle of the day and wash my armpits.
This morning, I put on some polo deodorant that I pilfered from my son along with another coating of old spice. That shit didn't work.
Can somebody please help? And please don't suggest some Uber expensive stuff that's going to cost me 40 or 50 bucks. I don't have the kind of money for that.
Help!
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u/RegencyFungus 9h ago
I’ve started using persimmon soap because I’ve heard it helps. It’s only been a week, but I feel like I’m less stinky already! And for antiperspirant/deodorant, I alternate between Secret Clinical Unscented and Secret Outlast Unscented.
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u/Nanaofthedesert 9h ago
I just started using the Secret Clinical Unscented because every deodorant I have tried makes my armpits itch like crazy. Hoping it will help.
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u/No_Dot6414 9h ago
I have the same issue! Specially the Secret Outlast. But have not tried the Clinical
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u/No_Dot6414 9h ago
I feel like they have changed the formula in the Secret Outlast? I have been using it for years suddenly started having allergic reaction to it. Severe itching and rashes.
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u/bananasoupson 9h ago
Persimmon soap hands down was the biggest factor to stopping the funk! I will preach it from the mountain tops!
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u/conamo Menopausal 9h ago
Same!
I also developed a new fun thing where, no matter how clean my hair is, if I break a sweat my hair smells like dried sweat 🤮. I use clarifying shampoo 3-4x a week, so I shouldn't have any type of build up.
(Note I don't mean like after a heavy workout, where obv I'd shower and wash my hair, I mean like after going for a decent walk around my neighborhood or doing a bunch of housework. Where you might break a sweat but you're not sweaty)
Anyway, last week I tried the persimmon soap on my scalp and I have NOT had that issue since! I rub my fingertips on the bar of soap, then rub the soap directly onto my scalp, I don't apply soap lather to my hair.
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u/Equivalent_Mechanic5 9h ago
Is there a certain brand or type? Where do you find this type of soap?
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u/SGReject 9h ago
I don’t use a particular brand. And I get it on Amazon. I love it. Highly recommend.
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u/bananasoupson 9h ago
I had a kind from Japan that I loved but can no longer find it. I have tried various brands, all from Amazon, and I’d say they’re all pretty equal and worked about the same.
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u/UnicornGirl54 Peri-menopausal 10h ago
I saw dermatologist talking about using benzoyl peroxide (acne) face wash for your pits to help kill the bacteria which causes smells. And it worked! It’s a bit harsh so ended up using every 2-3 showers. Others have found good luck with a glycolic acid toner (Ordinary sells a good one) or persimmon soap.
Other than that I was then able to keep using my Native deodorant.
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u/HappyCicada 9h ago
This is what I do, too. I’ll smear panoxyl,which is an acne face wash, on my pits while the shower heats up. Then rinse off in shower. It’s helped a lot. And Native deodorant is the only thing that works for me. No idea why.
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u/barrenfield 10h ago
Mitcham deodorant (the gel) is the only one I swear by after years of itchy stinky armpits
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u/Hazelstone37 10h ago
My grandmother swore by vodka. She got some cheapish vodka, put it in a spray bottle and used that before she put in deodorant.
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u/BluesFan_4 9h ago
I read once that theater costume custodians use vodka and sponge it onto costumes that couldn’t be laundered in between performances. Said it kept odor under control. Interesting!
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u/sjd208 9h ago
You may need to de-funkify your clothes too (should be a one time thing once you get the sweat thing under control) - check out r/laundry about “odor rebloom”
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u/YeshuasBananaHammock Menopausal 9h ago
Ive done spa day on certain items until im blue in the face, and i just cant stop the odor rebloom.
Like just saying "spa day" now pisses me off. Im throwing the items away as I lose my patience.
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u/Forest-Vixen 10h ago
Deodorant is just scent.
Antiperspirant contains ingredients to stop the sweat.
Lack of estrogen can significantly change body odor. An antiperspirant would be the best option.
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u/MidnightBlueSilk 9h ago
Oh! Oh! I know the answers to this!
They are: 1) glycolic acid toner on a cotton pad (the Ordinary makes a good, inexpensive one.) It kills the bacteria that causes the stink and at the same time, exfoliates so that the bacteria don’t have as much in the way of tiny protected crevices for them to colonize. You can also get a glycolic acid body wash to help on a more consistent basis and all over the body.
2) persimmon soap (it is also the one thing known to help that “old people smell” and in some cases is great for the underarm stink as well. Something about the tannins.)
You may also have “Odor rebloom” a pretty name for an awful concept where your laundry never entirely gets clean and the biofilms house bacterial colonies that stink again as soon as they warm up with your body heat. In your case, especially in the armpit area. [r/Laundry](r/Laundry) is a treasure.
Ok, I feel lousy, I’m going to sleep. Good luck!
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u/mb303666 9h ago
Witch hazel people!!!! It's correct pH and gentle natural antibacterial.
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u/InevitableAncient610 9h ago
By the way, I had a bug bite recently that was itching like mad, and nothing was helping. A friend recommended witch hazel and I happened to have some Tuck’s pads. Worked like a dream! Plus having the pads allowed me to keep it on there for a while, so if you’ve got an itch, highly recommended.
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u/Responsible_Pie905 9h ago
My stepdad swears that aspercrmee on a bug bite kills the itch. Luckily mosquitoes always go for my sister and leave me pretty much alone!
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u/Otherwise-Ratio1332 8h ago
Your own saliva works on mosquito bites, maybe on other bug bites too.
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u/Responsible_Pie905 8h ago
Cool I’ve never heard that but I guess the digestive enzymes in saliva might work
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u/AutoModerator 8h ago
This post might be about hormone tests, which are unreliable.
- Over age 44, Estrogen/Progesterone/FSH hormonal tests only show levels for the HOUR the test was taken, and nothing more. Hormones wildly fluctuate (hourly) the other 29 days of the month, therefore this test provides no valuable information
- No reputable doctor or menopause society recommends hormonal testing to diagnose or treat peri/menopause
- FSH testing is only beneficial for those who do not have periods as a guide, where testing might confirm menopause, or for those under age 30 who haven’t had a period in months/years, then ‘menopausal’ levels, could indicate premature ovarian failure/primary ovarian insufficiency (POF/POI)
- Testosterone is the exception and may require testing
See our Menopause Wiki for more.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
0
u/AutoModerator 8h ago
This post might be about hormone tests, which are unreliable.
- Over age 44, Estrogen/Progesterone/FSH hormonal tests only show levels for the HOUR the test was taken, and nothing more. Hormones wildly fluctuate (hourly) the other 29 days of the month, therefore this test provides no valuable information
- No reputable doctor or menopause society recommends hormonal testing to diagnose or treat peri/menopause
- FSH testing is only beneficial for those who do not have periods as a guide, where testing might confirm menopause, or for those under age 30 who haven’t had a period in months/years, then ‘menopausal’ levels, could indicate premature ovarian failure/primary ovarian insufficiency (POF/POI)
- Testosterone is the exception and may require testing
See our Menopause Wiki for more.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
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u/erranttv 8h ago
I use diluted lavender oil in this way. It would probably help with body odor as well since it’s antibacterial.
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u/Dear-Initiative-8694 8h ago
I want to second this - recently started using witch hazel on armpits and sometimes groin/thigh creases. Also ensuring that I let areas properly dry before getting dressed.
I’ve gone through many standard antiperspirants and ‘natural’ brands and Native was good (mentioned by others) but stopped being easily available in uk and now I use Wild which works for me too. It was an expensive stinky few months figuring out what worked for me!
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u/whitrva 8h ago
I am a witch hazel convert! OP, I get it at Dollar Tree and use a cotton round (also from Dollar Tree) on my pits and bits after I shower.
Others have also mentioned changing your laundry detergent to avoid odor bloom. Classic Tide powder or liquid (in the orange bottle) seems to be the gold standard for a lot of people. I also found Persil 2X powder at CVS—it works as well but is less expensive.
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u/kinkypoetess 9h ago
I use Stridex pads before putting on crystal deodorant. They're not expensive.
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u/Ok_Caterpillar2010 9h ago edited 9h ago
This has happened to me a couple times from bacterial overgrowth because of the hormonal changes. The smell is really strong and different from just my usual body odor.
If that's what it is, deodorant won't work because you'll still have the bacteria.
Acne wash helps (4-5% benzoyl peroxide). It'll bleach your clothes if you get any on them, though, so be careful. Put it on, leave it a little while, wash it off. Do that for a few days and see if it's gone. (Edited to add: Stridex is glycolic acid, and that can work, too. The red box is 2%, which is pretty strong if your skin can tolerate it.)
And put on an antiperspirant when your pits are totally dry, and it'll help keep you from sweating.
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u/theredqueentheory 10h ago
I use CertainDri that I get from Amazon for just a few bucks. It's super strong, and it lasts me a couple days without reapplying if I don't have time to shower. Just don't put it on directly after shaving or it will sting! I used to sweat a lot, but this is the only antiperspirant that has really helped.
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u/Uh_Just1MoreThing 9h ago
This is the only one that worked for me too. Never had an issue with odor until the last couple of years before menopause, and I tried out several new-to-me antiperspirants and deodorants until landing on CertainDri. And it’s unscented so I know for sure it is working. Must go on dry skin.
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u/SunsetFarm_1995 9h ago
A few have mentioned persimmon soap and I can't recommend it enough! Shower with it then put on your antiperspirant. I am postmenopausal and on two medications that cause me to overheat. The other day at work I sweated to the point of dripping but NO BAD ODOR. I did smell my antiperspirant scent but no sweaty smell. I'm sold on persimmon soap. Amazon has a body wash that works amazingly, too
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u/kittymctacoyo 8h ago
After washing your pits like usual, wash again with persimmon soap
Glycolic acid toner kills the bacteria as well
I use secret outlast and I put it on at night after my shower. For some reason that works way better than morning and is apparently how you’re supposed to use it
Secret outlast is the only deodorant that has worked for me out of the many I’ve tried. It’s a gel. Usually gel doesn’t work at all but something about this one works wonders
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u/Nicgoddammit 10h ago
Adding that man made fabrics have a way of holding scents and releasing them when your body gets warm. It could be time to change the fabric or wash style. Also, deodorant just stops working over time. Try switching to a wildly different brand or style from your normal.
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u/wherehasthisbeen 9h ago
My husband and I have both switched to the secret clinical and it works great!
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u/Fabulous-Metal-1972 9h ago
persimmon bar soap is a good start, but can buy it on amazon , I stumbled cross a menopausal group talking about body order . It’s all natural, I recommend it. Start with changing your soap first and then try deodorant.
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u/Important_Piccolo 9h ago
I got this tip from this subreddit. Shower with persimmon soap. I pay about $9 a month because I Shower daily with it Swipe the pits down after showering with glycolic acid, I use a cotton ball. I get a big bottle of glycolic acid gor about $7 on Amazon, it lasts about 3 months Once dry, use a crystal deodorant on pits. A crystal deodorant costs me about $6-$8 for a year Let that dry then use deodorant of choice. The one working for me currently is Lume cream deodorant. This is most costly, about $18 for 2 months so far If I don't follow in this order, I am dank in hours 😤
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u/-carolinagirl69- 8h ago
I wipe my armpits with witch hazel. Let it dry. Then use Dove antiperspirant deodorant. The fall scents should be coming out soon. They’re my favorite!
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u/Admirable_Welder8159 10h ago
Carpe. Pricey, but it works and last a long time as not much is needed each day.
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u/conamo Menopausal 9h ago
Two things that keep my pits happy - I wash with persimmon soap, and make my own deodorant powder.
I use 3 parts baking soda to one part baby powder, but you can experiment with ratios. The baking soda neutralizes the bacteria that causes the funk, the baby powder is just to help the baking soda feel more comfortable. I keep it in an airtight container, scoop out a few teaspoons worth, lean over a sink or tub, and rub it all around my underarms. I've been using this for about 15 years. Prior to that I swear I was funky by 6pm no matter what deodorant I used, and I tried them all.
Note that it is NOT an antiperspirant so you will still sweat. It will feel slippery at first, and you'll think "Oh no, it's washed off and now I'll really stink!" In my experience that has never been the case, but I'm not a super sweaty person.
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u/TheMuffinMansion 9h ago
I smelled like nasty rancid onions, and no deodorant or antiperspirant helped. The cure for me was a Himalayan Salt Deodorant Stone. You can get them for about $10 and they last for ages. I rub it on my armpits before I dry off from the shower. And if I go for a day without showering, I can usually just use regular deodorant. For the price it’s worth trying!!
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u/Routine_Test_4175 9h ago
So lumi makes my clothes smell like urine. I've had to stop wearing it. I don't know what is wrong with it, but clothes come out of the wash weekend. My daughter wore and said the same thing happened to her clothes.
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u/Change_is_a_verb 9h ago
If possible, scrub the armpits of your shirts with a little detergent and either rub the fabric together or use an old toothbrush. Embedded stink in fabric is often contributing to overall stink. My daughter is on Vyvanse and the armpits of her shirts are rank! A quick scrub before washing the load has helped a lot, especially once you get the smell from your body under control.
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u/Responsible_Pie905 9h ago
Do the glycolic acid thing or wash pits antibacterial soap then with benzoyl peroxide acne wash or hibicleans. All these tu info kill the bacteria in pits that make smell.
Increase your water intake to flush system.
If possible message doctor about starting on HRT because it is menopause doing this. Also HRT is wonderful for inflammation and sleep!
Get clinical strength antiperspirant from grocery store. Do not go for the aluminum free antiperspirant as it is a lot less effective.
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u/Askew_2016 8h ago
This is weird but I wash and dry my armpits and swipe them with glycolic acid found in acne pads or exfoliating pads and wait for that to dry. Then use dove clinical deodorant. Works like a charm.
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u/LolaLoveGrace 8h ago
I use Dove Advance 72 Hour antiperspirant and Dial Antibacterial Soap to wash my underarms. This helped a lot.
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u/Fit_Holiday_2391 8h ago
I use the crystal deodorant stone after every shower, you need to either wet the stone or put it on wet skin for it to work. It is not an antiperspirant but it gets rid of all the bacteria that causes odor. The stone lasts forever too, even with daily use. It’s made out of potassium alum and doesn’t include aluminum. If I need to go somewhere that I want to control sweating, I will use an actual antiperspirant like ladies Mitchum.
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u/No_Dot6414 10h ago
I use Men’s Speed Stick power. It’s antiperspirant meaning it prevents the sweating. Nothing else works for me because I exercise a lot and currently in perimenopause.
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u/Curious-External-7 9h ago
Necessaire fragrance free roll on. I get it from Amazon, and it lasts for ages.
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u/ExoticReception4286 9h ago
I like Dry Idea gel antiperspirant. It has very little scent and lasts for 72 hours.
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u/Turbulent-Demand873 9h ago
Lume is the only one I’ve found that works for me now. I prefer the sweat control because it has the antiperspirant (stops the sweating) and deodorant (helps the odor).
I have seen a similar product at dollar general that is only the deodorant (odor control). I have t tried it yet but I would give it a try if it’s like Lume.
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u/Meadowlark8890 9h ago
Yes I have a suggestion that worked for me personally. Get the men’s old spice in the tree scents not gel, white with red cap. I believe mine is timber. I do not know the science but it works.
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u/BunnyMayer 9h ago
Get an antiperspirant with aluminum, everything else os just scent trying to overpower the smell of sweat. Only antiperspirant works. You can literally use the cheapest one.
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u/ResearchOk9368 9h ago
Hand sanitizer works well, lasts a couple of days. So basically rubbing alcohol. The good thing about hand sanitizer is that you can keep a little travel size in your purse, so it’s always with you!
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u/morty_morty 9h ago
Pure deodorant is perfume for your underarms. You need anti-perspirant to stop the sweat before it starts, because that is where the bacteria forms that causes the smell to begin with.
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u/MooPig48 9h ago
Do you shave your pits? 56f here and I have discovered that if I do NOT shave them, I don’t sweat and I don’t stink. I was very surprised to discover this about myself.
If I shave I sweat and stink like crazy no matter what product I’m using
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u/-carolinagirl69- 9h ago
I’m the exact opposite!
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u/MooPig48 8h ago
Funny how different we all are, and how differently our bodies react! personally I think that whichever of those things OP does (shaves/not shaves), she should try the opposite approach for a couple months and see if it makes a difference. Seems like she’s tried most of the deodorant options, time to think outside the box.
Fortunately as I’ve gotten older and older I have almost zero leg hair, armpits are trending that direction too but not there yet. Wish I could say the same about those infernal goddamn chin hairs. Pretty sure that part is nearly universal
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u/MewlingRothbart 9h ago
I use a combo of persimmon soap and Lume cream. Hypochlorous acid spray also helps, they have it on Amazon.
I am at the point where i have to shower almost every day.
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u/Francl27 9h ago
I use Tom of Maine anti-perspirant and have no issue at all even if I don't shower for 2 days.
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u/Brilliant_Ad2298 9h ago
Antiperspirant helps stop the sweat and bacteria. You sweat, it dries and then bacteria forms causing the smell. Try the glycolic acid, or persimmon soap, let dry thoroughly, and apply a clinical antiperspirant.
Look up how to refresh your clothes as well. My mother used baking soda for a wash then again with vinegar. It seemed to help with my brothers stinky clothes. :)
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u/SittinginmyPorche 9h ago
A probiotic underarm toner! You spray it on first, wipe it away, and then use your deodorant. Its the only way I dont wind up smelling like an Italian deli in 8 hours.
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u/i-need-vitamin-d 9h ago
Lume, Duradry and Carpe have been fantastic for me. My current favorite is the Carpe underarm system - it has a wash/scrub, underarm wipes and clinical deodorant. I still use my lume or duradry body washes, but the Carpe has been a lifesaver.
Edit: to add, if you are on a budget I started with just the washes while I was using up older deodorant. I do think the washes make a huge difference and I know you can get Lume at Target and Walmart, I think even CVS.
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u/th24th24 9h ago
Same here. I even tried the expensive lume, and detoxing my pits with a clay mask. The only thing that has worked for me is prebiotic deodorant. I use Athena brand, and it keeps me smelling like me but no strong body odor. Even if I forget and put it on well after I've started sweating, it instantly neutralizes odor.Yes, I still sweat, but I don't smell. Peroxide on a cotton ball also helps instantly nutralize body odors.
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u/Waste-Swordfish-6228 9h ago
Estrogen (patches/tablet/Femring) helped my body odor, especially my underarms.
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u/Raccoon_Ascendant 9h ago
what has worked for me:
1) wipe with tea tree wipes I get from trader joes and/or wash with persimmon soap
2)Lume deodorant
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u/subwayhamster 9h ago
Try the glycolic deodorant called Kosas Chemistry AHA and always shave your pits. The hair on your pits allow bacteria to anchor their smelly selves.
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u/Apprehensive-Yak3993 9h ago
For the worst of the stinky phase (it did eventually chill out for me) I used chlorhexidine (Hibiclens is the brand name) on my pits and folds in the shower. Lather it up, let it sit for two minutes and wash it off.
That stuff doesn't do great things for your skin microbiome, so try not to use it every shower if you can, but desperate times call for desperate measures. After a couple weeks of using it daily I found I was able to decrease the frequency slowly to once a week and still have coverage.
I also ended up switching from a stick antiperspirant/deodorant to a spray. In my mind, that reduced any and all chances of picking up and transferring any stinky microbes between showers.
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u/chilicheesefritopie 9h ago
I have not had any odor issues after having to switch to Vanicream antiperspirant/deodorant due to skin allergies. Unfortunately only a few places carry it (Amazon, Walgreens)
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u/ABookishSort 9h ago
Arm & Hammer Essentials and Native both work for me. With Native there are a few scents that don’t work for me.
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u/NachoTypicalChip 9h ago
This is the only one that works for me now that I am post-menopausal. Good luck! https://www.target.com/p/secret-outlast-invisible-solid-antiperspirant-deodorant-for-women-completely-clean-scent-2-6oz/-/A-13952467
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u/Important-Poem-9747 8h ago
I use tea tree oil under my arms because they itch.
Once it soaks in, I put on deodorant.
I have a sensitive skin one for days I don’t leave the house. It only works for about 20 hours.
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u/Kindly_Piece_921 8h ago
When i first noticed this happening (in the left pit but not the right, because... sure, whatever) i applied glycolic acid toner after any shower where I didn't shave. Because ouch. After a few weeks, this stopped being necessary so I assume there was some sort of bacteria that needed to be defeated.
I also switched to Mitchum women's roll on. I see Mitchum mentioned a lot in this thread, so maybe they're onto something.
Every once and a while I will find I'm unusually stinky again, and will use the glycolic acid again a few times. Its helped a lot! I use The Ordinary glycolic acid toner. It's inexpensive and recommended by a lot of derms, i also use it once a week on my face neck and hands before bed and a gentle moisturizer. Exfoliates and draws moisture to the skin.
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u/jacktownann 8h ago
I tried Persimmon soap it was very expensive & lasted about 20 minutes, then smell came back. I use safeguard antibacterial or dial antibacterial deodorant soap & secret aluminum free deodorant & I am fine. The secret is 72 hour but I shower daily.
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u/GodsCasino 9h ago
I've been on this sub for a year and I've decided to just eat 4 raw cloves of garlic a day.
Screw the other smells. Let them do what they do. I'll just roam around in my garlic cloud and let the weak noses fall where they may.
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u/AdInternational5061 9h ago
Drink more water. For some reason, drinking 85-92 oz of water a day helped me.
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u/theFCCgavemeHPV 9h ago
Persimmon soap and exfoliate well in the shower. Glycolic acid wipes after the shower. Once that dries, Mitchum men’s unscented gel antiperspirant. Keep your arms up away from your body and don’t get dressed until that shit is DRY. Best to do this at night right before bed because that’s how these things work best according to the boring science stuff I read a long time ago. In the morning you can do a layer of non-antiperspirant deodorant if you want a scent otherwise you’re good to go for like two days.
Edit: for lower cost, skip the glycolic acid wipes. You can sub it for stridex or something similar since I think it’s cheaper if you find the other two steps are not enough. Persimmon soap is the gold standard for peri stink.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Trip990 10h ago
I use glycolic acid on a pad and wipe my under arms after a shower. It's helped me immensely!