How to get a handle on smelly pits and feet.
| | | | Hi, friends! If we told you there was a safe and easy way to manage underarm odor without using deodorant or antiperspirant, would you believe us? | | Glycolic acid as deodorant is all over TikTok right now, and since we love a good hygiene hack — right in time for warm weather no less — we ran this trend by Healthline's Head of Medical Affairs to understand how it works. Also in today's edition: | | | | | Stay sharp,
Ginger Wojcik
Newsletter Editor, Healthline | | | | |
| |  | | Written by Ginger Wojcik
May 3, 2023 • 5 min read | | | | | | | |
| |  | | | This viral hygiene hack can help us all feel fresher this summer | | tl;dr: | - The TikTok trend of using glycolic acid (AHA) as deodorant is a safe and effective way to manage body odor.
- Glycolic acid is a chemical exfoliant that lowers your skin's pH, making it harder for odor-causing bacteria to survive.
- As with any new product, start with a patch test and use it infrequently until you know how your skin will react.
| #Glycolicacidasdeodorant has 22.4 million views on TikTok, and unlike many trends to come across the platform, this hygiene hack is actually safe and effective! Glycolic acid is a chemical exfoliant, beloved by skin care enthusiasts for its ability to slough off dead skin cells and stimulate collagen growth.
Turns out, it can also banish bacteria. "A chemical exfoliant changes the pH balance so that the bacteria cannot survive in the acidic environment," says Healthline's Head of Medical Affairs, Jenny Yu, MD. "Because of the reduced bacteria, odor is reduced."
Can you use other types of chemical exfoliants as well? Yep! While glycolic acid is getting all the buzz, other chemical exfoliants — including salicylic acid, lactic acid, and malic acid — work in similar ways to bust up body odor.
Awesome. How do I get started?! Easy, all you have to do is find a formula with a glycolic acid concentration between 5% and 10% and a pH between 3 and 4. Other tips to keep in mind: | - Start with a patch test before going all in.
- Use it every other day or less frequently depending on your skin's sensitivity.
- Don't use chemical exfoliants on broken or irritated skin.
- It may take a couple of weeks for results to show.
| | Read more about body odor and skin care: | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Editor faves with health perks | | | | | | |  | | The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution | | If you're ready to jump on the #glycolicacidasdeodorant train, consider opting for this glycolic acid toning solution from The Ordinary. With a 7% concentration and pH between 3.4 and 3.7, this formula may be just what you need to get your armpits in tip top shape — and it's super affordable, too. | | If you're not already in the know, The Ordinary is a cult favorite skin care brand committed to transparency and affordability. They're the first place I look whenever I want to add a new ingredient or step to my skin care routine. | | | Every product we recommend has gone through Healthline's vetting process. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline is owned by RVO Health. | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | How can your diet affect the way your body smells? We tapped Healthline's Lisa Valente, MS, RD to find out. Here's what she said: | "Some of our body smell has nothing to do with diet, but there definitely is a relationship between what's on our plates and the way we smell. For example, garlic and onions can change your breath, but also the smell of your sweat and pee because of sulfur compounds. An older study found that a vegetarian diet produced a more attractive body odor, while other research found that eating more fruits and vegetables might help make your sweat smell more pleasant."
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| |  | | | How to defeat smelly feat | | | Because they're frequently warm and moist, feet are bacteria havens. It's common for them to take on an unpleasant smell. But unlike clothing, most shoes can't be tossed in the washing machine. Add in the fact that we tend to wear the same pair(s) of shoes day-in-day-out, you can see why smelly feet might be hard to beat. | | Before you despair any longer, try these odor-fighting and preventing tips: | | • | Sanitize your shoes: For example, you can spray them with isopropyl alcohol after each use or use antibacterial insoles. | | • | Allow shoes to fully dry out before putting them back on: This may mean alternating the shoes you wear day-to-day. | | • | Exfoliate your feet: You can use a physical exfoliant like a pumice stone to remove dead skin and a chemical exfoliant to lower your skin's pH. | | • | Wash your feet every time you shower: Yes, every time! | | • | Wear socks: Think of socks as a barrier between the bacteria and sweat on your feet and your shoes. | | • | Wear breathable footwear: Sandals or shoes with mesh panels may be best for those with sweaty feet, especially during the warmer months. | | • | Soak your feet in vinegar: Naturally acidic and nontoxic, vinegar is a common cleaning agent. But don't use it on your feet if you don't have any cuts or rashes. | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | Hygiene habits can be a contentious topic. Who can forget the infamous "Do you need to wash your legs?" Twitter debate of 2019 or this 2020 viral Greatist article about peeing in the shower? Instead of getting everyone wound up about what other people do or don't do in the privacy of their bathroom, I'd rather hear from you all about your favorite methods for staying clean. | | We want to know: Do you have a tried and true hygiene hack that has made your life fresher? Let us know at wellnesswire@healthline.com. (Please note that we may use your name and response in an upcoming edition!) | | | | | | |
| | | | Last week, we asked you all what it's been like to give up certain foods. Here's what reader Manny M. had to say:
I gave up red meat, poultry, and pork about 7 years ago. How did it happen? I was at the Warped Music Tour with my then 14 year old daughter and we came across a PETA tent, and she was disgusted at the photos of the treatment of animals in corporate farms. I then asked her, how about we make a bet on who could last the longest time without eating meat. She agreed! She lasted 2 months, and I kept going, making some modifications along the way, see pescatarian above, and also finding Beyond Meat alternatives that I really liked.
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