Dealing with sweaty, smelly underarms can be embarrassing, but it’s not solely your sweat that causes a pungent smell, it has to do with processes that happen when sweat meets bacteria. The sweat produced by the apocrine glands in your armpits is high in protein and naturally odourless.
However, as the bacteria on your skin break it down into acids, it creates that unpleasant smell we know as body odour. But what if you could tackle this issue naturally, right from home? Learn about the benefits of this golden pack that will get rid of the odour, and know how you can make it easily at home.
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Why Do Our Underarms Smell?
Several factors contribute to underarm odour, and it’s not always just about sweat, some health issues too can cause excessive sweating and subsequently certain medicines can increase perspiration levels. Commonly known, not showering regularly or staying in sweaty clothes for too long can worsen odour, additionally having foods like garlic and onions too can affect how you smell. Puberty, pregnancy, or menopause are also known to bring about stronger body odour.
How Can Turmeric And Aloe Vera Help?
Aloe vera is well-known for its soothing and healing properties, which make it a great option for treating various skin concerns. When applied to the armpits, it helps to calm irritation and eliminate odour. Aloe vera also has strong antimicrobial qualities that reduce the growth of bacteria and fungi, which are common causes of body odour.
Turmeric, particularly its active compound curcumin, has powerful antibacterial properties that help prevent the build-up of odour-causing bacteria. In sweat-prone areas like the armpits, curcumin helps curb the growth of these bacteria, reducing the occurrence of body odour. It also exfoliates the skin, helping to remove dirt and grease that can trap odour.
How Can You Make This Golden Pack?
Making an aloe vera and turmeric body pack is a simple and natural way to keep your skin fresh and reduce body odour.
- To start, scoop out about two tablespoons of fresh aloe vera gel. If you don’t have a plant, you can use pure aloe vera gel from the store.
- Add one teaspoon of turmeric powder to the gel.
- For extra skin benefits, you can mix in a tablespoon of honey to moisturise and hydrate your skin.
- A few drops of lemon juice can also be added for its refreshing, cleansing effects.
- Mix everything together until you have a smooth paste. Once it’s ready, apply the pack to clean skin, focusing on areas prone to body odour, like your armpits or other folds.
- Leave it on for about 5-10 minutes. You might feel a cooling sensation from the aloe vera, which is soothing to the skin.
- After the time is up, simply rinse the pack off with lukewarm water. Gently scrub the skin to remove any dirt, and follow up with a moisturiser.
Precautions To Take
Before using the pack on your entire body, do a patch test on a small area of your skin to check for any allergic reactions, especially to turmeric. Turmeric can also sometimes stain the skin, so rinse thoroughly after use. If any yellow residue remains, you can gently scrub it off with a mild exfoliant.