Research has found that the salts in antiperspirants can cause an imbalance of bacteria. Aluminum compounds kill less foul-smelling bacteria, giving stinkier bacteria more opportunities to thrive and causing more body odor. In short, antiperspirant can make you smell worse because it alters the composition of bacteria in your armpits. And if you put on a heavy sweater but only use deodorant, you may continue to sweat, which can make you smell worse.
Dead skin cells and dirt can build up in the armpits, aggravating the odor problem. The best way to get rid of dead skin cells is to exfoliate your pits every week. You can do this by using a vegetable sponge or by applying an exfoliant to your armpits. This works best on clean-shaved or trimmed armpits.
Now let's dive into a deeper understanding of why antiperspirants and deodorants can make you smell worse. Dr. Claire Chang, a board-certified dermatologist for Laser Dermatology at Union Square, for information on stinky armpits (including why you can smell angry even after applying a little deodorant and how to stop the stench).
