Last Updated on October 17, 2019 by Marc Seward
If you have been spent any time on this site, you know that we love essential oils. These highly concentrated plant extracts have a wide range of potential health benefits. They can help treat anything from stress and anxiety to common skin conditions and muscular aches and pains.
Many essential oils are full of medicinal compounds and have a range of therapeutic actions like anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antimicrobial properties.
They also smell really good. Did you know that not only can they be diffused around the home to expel all the foul smells but you can also apply them to your body to help you smell fresh and some may also kill the bacteria responsible for body odor in the first place.eating body odor.
Before we go on to look at the best essential oils for treating body odor, let us take a look at exactly why your body may be smelling bad in the first place.
What is Body Odor?
Body odor can affect anybody at any age but is more evident once you reach puberty. Other factors that can make people more susceptible to body odor include obesity, medical conditions like diabetes or eating spicy foods.
Some people believe B.O is the smell of the bacteria multiplying on the skin but this is a misconception. The familiar smell is actually produced when bacteria breaks down proteins into acids.
Some people also sweat more than others. Those with a condition known as hyperhidrosis are also more prone to body odor. While some people sweat more, it does not necessarily mean they will have B.O. The level of salt in the sweat is often too high for the breakdown of bacteria.
Causes of Body Odor
Body odor occurs when bacteria breaks down sweat into acid and is mostly linked to glands called apocrine glands. these apocrine glands can be found in the armpits, breasts, genital regions, ear and eyelids. The sweat produced by these glands is high in proteins which are broken down easily. This is when B.O occurs.
Body odor can occur all over the body but is more prevalent in the following areas :
- the armpits
- the genitals
- the groin
- the feet
- body hair
- anus
- belly button
- behind your ears
Who Gets Body Odor?
The answer is pretty much everybody. Body odor is unique to the person and can sometimes be rather pleasant. Every person has their own body chemistry which affects the odors given of by their body. Unfortunately, body odor can be very unpleasant and can cause embarrassment for people who are more susceptible.
These are some of the factors that influence how much odor your body gives off.
- Age : The sweat glands are more active during puberty. This can cause a great deal of embarrassment for teenagers. Menopause is another time of life when women may sweat more.
- Body weight : people who are overweight or obese are prone to sweating more.
- Certain medical conditions : Conditions like diabetes or thyroid issues can change the consistency and odor of a person’s sweat. This can also help doctors to diagnose the condition.
- Diet : The kind of food you eat can have an impact on the odor your body produces. For example eating food containing sulfur like broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables can affect the body’s odor.
- Hot weather : You naturally sweat more on a hot summer’s day.
- Exercise : Sweating when you exercise is normal. Sop is the body odor it creates.
- Clothing : Some clothing materials afford more airflow which helps dry out sweat. Clothing made from linen or cotton are a better choice than fabrics like denim or polyester.
Why Use Essential Oils?
If you are trying to get rid of body odor, then essential oils make for a natural and extremely effective choice. They are a wonderful alternative to the commercial antiperspirants and deodorants found on the market.
Many commercial antiperspirant products contain chemicals like aluminium and preservatives like parabens and there is plenty of debate about their safety. Although most scientists agree that the skin is an effective barrier to aluminium entering into the body, natural deodorants are becoming more popular.
Essential oils are a great option for making your own deodorants at home. There are countless essential oils to choose from with a wide range of amazing scents. Many essential oils also have powerful antibacterial properties that can prevent the growth of bacteria responsible for your smelly pits.
These are some of the best essential oils to use as a natural deodorant. essential oils should never be applied ‘neat’ and must be diluted with a carrier oil before applying them to your skin. You can use a single diluted oil as a deodorant or get creative and make your own blends.
Essential Oils for Body Odor
This list is by no means exhaustive. There are so many oils to choose from, you are bound to find one or more that you like. The choice is yours but make sure that the oil you choose does not only smell good but has antibacterial properties and antiseptic properties.
Tea Tree Essential Oil
Australia is a beautiful country full of natural wonders and is also home to the tea tree plant from which this essential oil is derived.
Tea tree essential oil has become one of the most popular essential oils because of its amazing array of potential health benefits. Studies have found that tea tree oil has outstanding antimicrobial properties including antibacterial and anti-fungal actions that can help keep your skin free of the bacteria responsible for body odor. (1)
If you are trying to combat body odor and want to smell good for longer, then try adding tea tree essential oil to your pits. make sure that you dilute it well with a suitable carrier oil first. tea tree oil is very powerful and has been known to cause a skin reaction so perform a patch test before applying it as a deodorant.
Lavender Essential Oil
When it comes to essential oils, few are as popular as lavender. This fragrant oil does not only smell great but has a wide range of potential benefits making it a ‘must’ in any home remedy collection.
Lavender oil has excellent antimicrobial properties including antibacterial actions that can combat the bacteria responsible for the unpleasant smells your body exudes. (2) By using lavender oil as an ingredient in your home made deodorant, you will smell wonderful all day long.
Lavender oil blends well with any number of essential oils. If you are considering making your own deodorant recipe, then lavender is a great option to throw into the mix.
Despite being known as the most gentle acting of all essential oils, it is still important to dilute lavender oil with a carrier oil. Not only will this prevent adverse skin reactions but it helps the oil go much farther.
Lemon Essential Oil
I am a huge fan of citrus oils and lemon oil is right up there with my favorites. When applied to your skin, lemon oil will have you smelling just as fresh as you would expect and can also make you feel vibrant and fresh.
Lemon essential oil also has a range of potential health benefits and contains antibacterial properties that can help combat the bacteria responsible for body odor. (3)
Make sure that you dilute this powerful oil before applying it to your underarms and elsewhere on your body. You should also note that lemon essential oil is phototoxic meaning that it can cause a skin reaction when your skin is exposed to direct sunlight. This should not be an issue if you apply the oil to an area that will not be exposed to the sun.
Thyme Essential Oil
Thyme essential oil has a wonderful, sweet aroma that will please you and the people around you. This herbal oil does not only smell great but it has excellent antibacterial properties and is very resilient too. (4)
If you enjoy the fresh and sweet smell of this herbal oil, try using it on your body but make sure that you dilute it first. It is a powerful oil and should be treated with care.
Clary Sage Essential Oil
Clary sage essential oil can already be found a an ingredient in many commercial deodorants. As well as smelling great, it is an excellent, natural antiperspirant and is known for boosting your feeling of well-being.
Like all the other essential oils in this list, clary sage oil has antibacterial properties and is also a natural antiseptic. this makes it a perfect choice for combating the bacterial growth responsible for body odors.
When it comes to essential oils for body odors, the antiperspirant abilities of clary sage make it a great choice. Combine it with a suitable carrier oil and any other essential oils of your choice and you will be smelling great all day long.
Rosemary Essential Oil
Rosemary oil has a delightful scent that will keep your body smelling sweet and fresh the whole day long. Like so many other oils, rosemary has excellent antiseptic and antibacterial properties that can help thwart the bacteria that produces unpleasant odors.
If the scent of this herb is something you enjoy, it makes for an excellent choice on its own or blended with more oils of your choice.
Geranium Essential Oil
You are no doubt familiar with the floral fragrance of geranium. If this is the sort of feminine scent that you like, then geranium essential oil is a good choice.
As well as its sweet, floral scent, this oil can help prevent the bacterial build up responsible for unpleasant body odors and can also invigorate the skin. It is also a popular essential oil for detoxing the system and can promote emotional calm making it a wonderful choice for a natural deodorant.
Lemongrass Essential Oil
Lemongrass essential oil has outstanding antiseptic and antibacterial properties and a distinctive aroma that many people enjoy. If you are not so keen on floral scented oils, lemongrass is a good choice for both men and women.
Lemongrass essential oil can act as a great protection against the build up of bacteria on the skin and helps prevent body odor developing in the first place. It can keep you smelling great all day long even on a hot and humid day.
Sandalwood Essential Oil
Sandalwood oil is another great choice for men and for women. It has an exotic fragrance that reminds me of holidays to the Mediterranean coast but it is also an effective antibacterial and antiseptic.
If you want to add some more fragrance to the mix, sandalwood oil blends very well with a variety of floral oils including vetiver, geranium and lavender oil.
What are The Best Carrier Oils?
Once you have chosen the essential oil that suits you best, you will also need to choose a suitable carrier oil to dilute it with. Essential oils should never be applied to the skin undiluted and it is always best if you perform a patch test before using a new oil even after you have diluted the stuff.
There are a wide variety of carrier oils to choose from. Some of the most popular include :
- Virgin coconut oil : This is a good choice for a deodorant. It solidifies at room temperature and has antimicrobial properties of its own.
- Sweet Almond Oil : This oil is another good choice. It smells great and does not cause any irritation.
- Jojoba Oil : This oil is very skin friendly and will not clog the pores. it makes for an excellent choice of carrier oil for an essential oil deodorant.
Essential Oil Deodorant Recipes
Instead of simply using an essential oil with a carrier oil, you can get more creative and come up with your own amazing recipes.
Here are a few to get you started …..
Essential Oil Deodorant Blend 1 : Roll on deodorant
- 2 tablespoons of virgin coconut oil
- 5 drops thyme essential oil
- 5 drops lavender oil
- 5 drops clary sage oil
Put all the ingredients in a glass roll on bottle and shake well. Apply to your underarms morning and afternoon.
Essential Oil Deodorant Blend 2 : Deodorant spray
Combine the following ingredients in a 4oz spray bottle.
- a quarter cup of pure water
- a quarter cup witch hazel
- a teaspoon baking soda
- 5 drops rosemary essential oil
- 4 drops clary sage oil
- 3 drops thyme oil
Final Thoughts
Body odor is the product of sweating, which is a natural bodily process. It may be natural, but let’s face it – nobody wants to smell bad.
Essential oils are an excellent option for treating body odor and helping you smell fresh all day long. Most essential oils are antibacterial and antiseptic to at least some degree while most have a wonderful smell. In the end, the choice is yours.
Make sure that you dilute your essential oils before applying them to your body. Even after dilution, it is best to perform a patch test to make sure you are not sensitive to the oil.
(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6236410/
(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5977305/
(3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1693916/
(4) https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233675864_Antibacterial_Activity_of_Thyme_and_Lavender_Essential_Oils
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