Why Do I Smell Bad Even With Good Hygiene?

Did you notice your colleague covering her nose as she passed your cubicle? Do you feel like everyone stands at least three feet away from you? You know your personality’s awesome, so something else must be up. Is that musk you smell? It can’t be because you have impeccable grooming habits. Still, do you often find yourself asking: Why do I smell bad even with good hygiene?

There, there. You’re spiraling, but the anxiety is understandable. After all, you’re doing everything right. You brush your teeth thrice, shower twice, and spray deodorant every morning. What aren’t you doing?

This time, it’s not you. Your body odor (BO) might be caused by the following culprits.

You may already know BO happens because of certain types of bacteria. For example, when bacteria from the Corynebacterium, Staphylococcus, and Cutibacterium genera break down acids in sweat, they produce an Eau de Ew. When Brevibacterium mingles with the moisture on your feet, it makes a cheesy odor.

However, if you think you have your body’s microbiome under control, then consider these other factors.

Instead of asking yourself, “Why do I smell bad even with good hygiene?” you should be directing questions towards your food choices.

Harvard Health states that specific foods can cause you to secrete unsavory odors. Garlic and onions break down in your body and release sulfur-smelling compounds from your pores. Sulfur, if you don’t know, smells like rotten eggs. Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower) can also make you gassier.

You should also check for food intolerances. Is dairy making you pass more wind than usual? If you have trimethylaminuria, you can give off a fishy stench after eating seafood.

Everyone sweats. It keeps people from overheating. However, some people sweat more than most, especially if they have hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis – a fancy term for saying “super sweater” – makes you prone to BO because your body’s damp environment is more conducive for odor-causing bacteria to thrive.

You may have showered in the morning, but if you’re sweating buckets two hours later, you’d still be inviting BO in. Solve this problem with Rexona Men Roll On Deodorant Ice Cool. This stain-proof antiperspirant provides up to 72 hours of freshness, letting you feel protected, dry, and cool even under extreme conditions.

According to the International Hyperhidrosis Society, men sweat more than women, even without factoring in issues related to overexcited apocrine glands. This means you need to put more effort into controlling perspiration, from using deodorant regularly to your clothing preferences.

Some synthetic fabrics, like polyester, nylon, and Spandex, are awful at wicking moisture. They're also not breathable, trapping sweat and bacteria and nurturing stench. Opt for natural fibers, like linen and bamboo to reduce the likelihood of BO build-up.

Reinforce your fresh scent further with AXE Body Spray Aqua Bergamot. It features Zinc Zap technology that neutralizes BO while providing an invigorating citrus scent.

You worrying over your musk isn’t helping. Stress triggers your apocrine glands to go on overdrive, once again throwing a party for odor-causing bacteria to thrive.

Stress sweat can be difficult to manage because you can’t always predict when you’ll start to feel pressure. What if your boss sends you a cliffhanging “Hi” on Teams? Or your partner suddenly tells you that you need to talk? Make sure to cover your bases by regularly using antiperspirant and deodorant.

If you notice yourself sweating extra in the middle of the day, wipe down with antibacterial wet wipes.

Women aren’t the only ones who need to juggle hormone fluctuations – though you probably don’t notice them happening as well as she does.

Technically, stress sweat falls under this category as cortisol or adrenaline can activate your sweat glands. However, testosterone can also set them off.

Certain conditions and medications can influence the way you smell. They can alter skin chemistry or shift hormone levels.

If you fall under this category, contact your physician to see what you can do about your pervasive body odor. Likewise, check with your healthcare provider if you suspect that your funk is pathological.

Don’t stay awake at night wondering, “Why do I smell bad even with good hygiene?” You can do something about it, you know!