I am absolutely honking!

[Mitebiteatnite]

Background- started using a 'natural' deodorant a while back. It had good reviews, I liked that it was refillable and all natural. First few days I was a bit smelly, but the reviews all say you have to give it a while for your body to get used to it. And it did settle down, and worked really well, although I had to apply it more frequently than a normal antiperspirant.

Fast forward 3 months and it just wasn't working anymore. Admittedly it has got warmer, but a good deodorant should be able to cope with that and it didn't. So I switched back to normal antiperspirant and now, well I just stink all the time. And it's a totally different smell now, compared to the way I would smell if I'd just got a bit too sweaty at the gym or whatever. It's meatier somehow, I can't explain it, not that sweetish BO smell. I wash regularly, my diet hasn't changed and I've tried 4 or 5 different types of deodorant in the last few weeks but it's not make a blind bit of difference. I still smell and it's really upsetting me.

I've tried antibacterial soap, I've tried gently exfoliating my pits, I've bought the 'maximum strength' antiperspirant recommended for people who sweat a lot. Thing is, I wouldn't say I'm sweating excessively either. I just can't get rid of the smell under my arms. I appreciate some people might find this amusing, but it's really really upsetting me.

AIBU to think that using natural deodorant has changed my body chemistry somehow?

There's a cream deodorant called Trust. You apply it after washing at night then it lasts for a few days. It's not an antiperspirant so you'd still need mitchum or similar during the day but it makes a big difference in odour.

Do you live in an area of hard water op? I suffer similar and read that that the soap can react with hard water and leave a film on your pits that causes the bad bacteria to grow and increase the smell.

So this morning I washed pits with soap then again with shower gel, and then put deodorant on (Ben and Anna natural). I’d been getting smelly even with Mitchum ultimate and an smelling good

poor DH, I keep making him smell my pits in case it’s my nose. It’s not, it’s my pits

I’m the same! Don’t sweat much but I stink.
Trust is absolutely useless on me.
I use Perspirex Comfort as it doesn’t irritate as much or Driclor but that’s harsh. Also Sure Men’s Maximum BUT the only thing that actually works is Botox.
I desperately need my annual appointment !

This happened to me, I fixed it in 1 month. I stank of stale meat/food

I used hibi scrub in the shower twice a day never bath. shaved every 2/3 days my legs and armpits. Used body oil all over my body every day including under my arms. stopped using all deodorant (not sure if this helped or not) would instead give an extra wash with cotton pads and hibi scrub if i started to sweat and also used cotton pads to dry

I also ate Kimchi and fermented saurkraut everyday! at least a few tablespoons, also ate kefir yogurt for lunch everyday. I ate only chicken rice and vegetables, fruit and kefir or Porridge and drank lots of water.

After about a month i didnt really smell anymore i also sweat less

I'm the same, especially if I get that anxious or stressed out sweating from the underarms it quickly turns into BO 😥I use a natural deodorant balm which helps, but the best thing I've found by far is drinking more water, it wont stop you sweating but it will make your sweat far more dilute and less of a breeding ground for the bacteria that cause odours.

The only one worked for me was the Sure (Stress control version- not the others).

Hormones I reckon, start of peri menopause, I honked. Better for a while, now nearly through to menopause, I honk again.

fresh bra every day helps….a bit.

I have a similar issue. I've read all the replies and wonder if it's because of peri menopause or sanex or both. Drink plenty of water and use body shop coconut soap instead of shower gel as I have dry skin. Thinking I might get some mitchum or the boots one previously mentioned.....

HVe you had covid? Either covid makes me smell different, or I now perceive my normal smell differently. It’s smells a sort of nasty curry/oniony smell (not tumeric, but that’s the closest I can describe it). I don’t smell kore, just different. I’m reasonably sure I’m in Perimenopause as well, which is possible.

Other people have mentioned this as a side effect of covid. Or menopause. So I feel better knowing it’s not just me. Perhaps a word with your GP might be an idea? Just to rule out anything heathwise?

I can’t help deodorant wise but for people with smelly clothes, have you tried laundry stripping? Add one cup of bio washing powder/ liquid, 1/2 cup of bicarbonate of soda ( from the laundry aisle in the supermarket) and 1/2 cup of white vinegar to a bucket of hot water. Add your clothes and leave for a few hours. Squeeze out the excess liquid and wash as usual in your machine. X

Has anyone mentioned driclor?

It really does work

Also cheap, can pick it up at boots, honestly give it a go. Only warning is it stings. Allow 2-3 days growth, use it for 4-5 nights in a row, I promise you will swear less.

and then just use it when you find the effects wearing off (maybe a month later)

Sb recommend glycolic acid on armpits on another thread and that's exactly what I did! I used Skinceuticals Glycolic Acid Cleanser in the shower and I have to say: it worked big time. That was one heck of a brilliant tip so I'll second that but maybe use sth a bit cheaper than Skinceuticals! hahhah

I think I smell a bit better today again, despite it being much hotter. I've been using cidal antibacterial bar soap and sure max strength cream antiperspirant.

Maybe my honky days are over. I'm still fully blaming Wild...

Drink loads of water and try charcoal soap

I use a natural refillable deodorant, maybe the same as yours and I had the same. I ran out and used a normal deodorant and stank. Im now back on the natural deodorant and its much better.
I also smelt for about a week when first using the natural.

Oh and its wild i use. Love it.

Glad to know it worked for you OP!

Gross and bizarre update. An entire layer of the skin under my arms is flaking off. It's horrible! And what is flakinkg off is, I think, what is holding on to the lingering smell.

I solemnly swear I will never try natural deodorant again. It has truly done a number on my little pits.

I’ve been using Mitchum Natural Power for a couple of weeks. It’s aluminium free and 96% natural and contains bamboo powder for wetness. I really like it.

Honestly, just try the glycolic ac. when your skin's better, sb recommended it on another thread and, having tried it, I can vouch for it! Just make sure you keep your armpits out of the sun for a week or that you wear plenty of SPF. Glyc. acid can peel too but it hasn't happened to me. I've been using it once every couple of weeks and it works like a charm, the rest of the time I use a regular deodorant.
Is your skin really peeling off or is it leftovers from the deodorant? I've used some that, even after showering, it looked like the skin was peeling and then I realised it was deodorant (disgusting) leftovers stuck so showering as usual wasn't getting rid of it, so I had to scrub as never before. The only time I've peeled was after using wax that was too hot, if the skin's really peeling that must hurt like heck.

Forgot to add, in case you want to try glyc. acid, don't do it very day! Once or twice a week, never in consecutive days. You must either stay out of the sun for a minimum of 1 week or use SPF if you want to wear sleeveless clothes. Stop using it a week before going to the beach or your skin might stain (this is a real possibility). Don't use it if your skin's burnt or hurt.

I tried the glycolic acid and switched to mitchum. I don't smell rank anymore! Result! Thanks!