Why do my armpits smell even with deodorant?

Dealing with armpit odour can be frustrating, especially when it feels like that no amount of deodorant is enough to hide the smell. But why does this happen and what’s the science behind it?

To put it simply, body odour is a result of skin bacteria mixing with sweat. Sweat is our body’s way of regulating temperature and is actually odourless, but the bacteria on our skin breaks it down into compounds that create a distinct scent.

And here’s the thing — while deodorants can help minimise body odour, they cannot completely prevent bacterial activity. This is also why the unpleasant smell may return after a certain amount of time. Physical activities, stressful situations or high temperatures can also cause you to produce more perspiration, which in turn contributes to body odour.

So, what can you do to help keep body odour at bay? Firstly, make sure you’re using enough deodorant — just a swipe or two probably won’t be enough. Apply a generous amount to dry, clean skin and wait a few minutes before getting dressed to give it time to dry.

If you tend to sweat a lot or like to exercise, you may also require a mid-day touch-up to keep your underarms feeling fresh. Finally, be sure to practice good hygiene habits and have regular showers to remove bacteria.