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What's B.O. and how do I control it?

When sweat forms on the skin, it doesn’t smell. The odour develops from the degradation of lipidic and proteic substances contained in the sweat by the bacteria on the skin’s surface. There are two kinds of sweat glands: eccrine glands are spread all over the body surface, while apocrine glands are found only in the axillary and genital areas, and the feet.

Apocrine sweat contains more organic compounds than eccrine perspiration and therefore the malodour formation is enhanced in the specific area where they are located. Furthermore, these areas are poorly ventilated and humid, which helps the proliferation of bacteria. An anti-bacterial soap can provide short-term relief. What you need for lasting relief is a deodorant that regulates sweat production.

Deodorants can work in two ways: they limit the production of sweat and (or) they inhibit the proliferation of bacteria responsible for malodour formation. Applying deodorant once a day is usually enough.