This article was co-authored by Lydia Shedlofsky, DO
and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden
. Dr. Lydia Shedlofsky is a Resident Dermatologist who joined Affiliated Dermatology in July of 2019 after completing a traditional rotating internship at Larkin Community Hospital in Miami, Florida. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology at Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina. After graduation, she moved to Beira, Mozambique, and worked as a research assistant and intern at a free clinic. She completed a Post-Baccalaureate program and subsequently earned a Master's Degree in Medical Education and a Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.
There are 11 references
cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
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Summer is everyone’s favorite time of year, but not when it comes with sweaty, smelly underboobs. Breast sweat is completely normal, and it’s something many people will deal with anytime they sweat. Fortunately, there are a lot of ways you can combat boob sweat and body odor to feel fresh and clean all day.
Steps
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Polyester and nylon bras wick away sweat. According to Lydia Shedlofsky, it's common to experience "irritation in skin folds, usually sweat under a bra band. Try keeping the area dry with wicking materials, avoiding hot or humid environments, and using powders if needed." Invest in some moisture-wicking bras to wear during the summer months to help combat that dreaded underboob sweat. [1] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Lots of sports bras are made from moisture-wicking material if you’re looking for a comfy, sporty option.
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Cotton lets your skin breathe so you don’t sweat as much. When you’re picking out an outfit to wear for the day, go for a flowy cotton shirt that doesn’t cling to your skin. [2] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source Linen is another great choice when you’re looking for flowy, breathable fabrics.
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Deodorant helps combat bad smells and underboob chafing. After you get out of the shower, lift up your breasts and apply a few swipes of natural, aluminum-free deodorant . Keep the deodorant in your bag in case you need to reapply throughout the day. [3] X Research source If swiping is a little too awkward, find a spray-on deodorant instead.
- Some companies make deodorant specifically for your underboob area . You can use that, or you can simply use deodorant meant for your armpits—it’s all the same.
- If you’re looking for a way to sweat less, try an antiperspirant . Deodorants simply mask the smell of sweat, while antiperspirants reduce the amount that you sweat. [4] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
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Baby powder wicks away moisture to prevent sweat and smells. Once you’ve showered in the morning, dry your underboob area well and sprinkle on some baby powder. Keep the baby powder with you to reapply throughout the day if you start noticing a smell. [5] X Research source Dermatologist Lydia Shedlofsky also recommends choosing "bland cornmeal over complex [drugstore] products."
- Or, swipe on an anti-chafing gel .
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Argan oil naturally hydrates your skin and reduces irritation. The restorative properties of argan oil may be able to reduce your underboob sweat—plus, it’s great for your skin. Apply a few drops underneath each breast after you get out of the shower and before heading out for the day. [6] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
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Sweat soakers are cotton strips that absorb boob sweat. If it’s a warm day and you can tell you’re going to sweat, grab a sweat soaker and put it on underneath the bottom of your bra. Leave it there all day, then take it off and wash it whenever you get home. [7] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source
- Sweat soakers can also help combat cleavage sweat.
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Quickly clean your underboob area with a wet wipe. If you’re out and about and you notice your boobs starting to sweat or smell, head to the bathroom and grab a wipe. Lift up each breast one at a time and quickly wipe the area down, then dry it off with a towel. [8] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source
- Baby wipes are made for sensitive skin, so they won’t cause any redness or irritation.
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Panty liners absorb moisture, so they can work in a pinch. If you’re out and about and need to quickly solve your underboob smell issue, grab a package of panty liners and place one underneath each breast. At the end of the day, throw the panty liners away. [9] X Research source
- Try to change the panty liners every few hours, or whenever they feel wet with sweat.
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Smelly foods can make your sweat smell worse. Try to avoid garlic, onions, and alcohol if you know you’re prone to smelly body odor. [10] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source Water-rich foods like watermelon and cucumber can help combat sweat smell and leave you feeling refreshed.
- Be sure to stay hydrated throughout the day, too!
Whitney Bowe, Integrative Dermatology ExpertCurbing unpleasant scents starts with a holistic view of skin health. Along with gentle cleansing and natural products, consider diet and lifestyle factors. Stay hydrated, avoid foods that worsen odor, like garlic and onions, and wear breathable fabrics to help under-breast skin breathe. With some self-care basics, you can tackle the root causes of odor and moisture build-up. Simple practical steps can make a real difference in promoting fresh, healthy skin everywhere.
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Showering removes the bacteria that causes sweat to smell bad. Make an effort to take a shower every single day, especially during the summer months. [11] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public Go to source Wash with antibacterial soap to really clean underneath your boobs and get rid of sweat and odors. [12] X Research source
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Clean your bras to get rid of sweat and odors. We’re all guilty of wearing a bra for a little longer than we’d like to admit. However, if you’re dealing with underboob sweat, try to wash your bra every day (or at least every other day). This will get rid of the bacteria that causes sweat to smell, so you can start off with a clean, fresh garment to wear. [13] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- The same goes for your shirts, too. Wearing a dirty shirt can make you smell like B.O., even if you’re fresh and clean.
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Some sweat problems need to be treated by a professional. If your underboob sweat or smell is impacting your daily life and home remedies aren’t helping, make an appointment with a dermatologist. Dermatologist Lydia Shedlofsky recommends, "if [the smell] is a repeated or ongoing problem lasting more than a week or two, or if it begins to more irritating or itching, then please [go see] a dermatologist." They can tell you about your skin and what might be causing excessive sweat to help you deal with it the right way. [14] X Research source
- In some cases, a smell underneath your breasts is caused by fungus or an infection. Your doctor will be able to tell you what’s going on and prescribe you medicine to deal with it.
- If there is a rash for more than a week or two, it is better to see a dermatologist.
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References
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/17865-body-odor
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/17865-body-odor
- ↑ https://www.canesten.co.uk/skin-and-foot-health/sweat-rash
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/17865-body-odor
- ↑ https://www.consumernotice.org/products/personal-care/talcum-powder/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5796020/
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/hyperhidrosis-treatment
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/hyperhidrosis-treatment
- ↑ https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-lumps-and-benign-not-cancer-breast-conditions/intertrigo-rash-under-the-breast/
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-7-different-foods-affect-your-body-odor
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/showering-daily-is-it-necessary-2019062617193
- ↑ https://www.thenationshealth.org/sites/default/files/additional-assets/healthyyou/HealthyYou-BodyOdor.pdf
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-often-do-you-really-need-to-wash-your-bras
- ↑ https://www.sweathelp.org/where-do-you-sweat/sweat-all-over.html