Good Lifestyle

At one point or another, we all deal with sweat and unpleasant body odor. If you're partaking in vigorous exercise, are slugging through a record-hot summer, or simply prefer to have extra protection, you may have wondered if there are ways to increase your deodorant's effectiveness. It turns out, there are—as long as you know the right tips and tricks. Read on to discover the hack that will make your deodorant more effective. After you try this, your sweat won't stand a chance—and you can feel like your most confident self.

READ THIS NEXT: If You Have Any of These Deodorants, Stop Using Them Immediately, FDA Says.

Before we get into how to make deodorant and antiperspirant products last longer, it's important to understand the nature of body odor and how these products fend it off. First of all, sweat itself is not smelly. "Bau badan happens when bacteria on your skin come in contact with sweat," according to the Cleveland Clinic. "Our skin is naturally covered with bacteria. When we sweat, the water, salt, and fat mix with this bacteria and can cause odor."

Deodorants work by making your skin less hospitable to these scent-producing bacteria; they also often contain fragrance to mask unwanted odors. Antiperspirants, on the other hand, typically contain aluminum-based compounds that block sweat pores and limit the amount of perspiration that reaches your skin in the first place, according to Healthline. That means body odor never has a chance to develop.

Ever heard of an armpit detox? Well, now you have—and it could be the secret to more effective deodorant and antiperspirant. BerdasarkanErum Ilyas, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, it can be effective, although maybe not for the reasons you think. "I have had patients tell me that they hear that an armpit detox 'rids the body of toxins' or 'helps lymphatic drainage,'" she says. (Lymphatic drainage eliminates swelling that occurs when medical treatment or illness blocks your lymphatic system, according to Cleveland Clinic.) Those reasons simply aren't true. Instead, the mask helps draw bacteria, yeast, fungus, oil, and sebum from the skin, which can clear your pores and aid your deodorant in eliminating bacteria-related scents, she says.

Creating an armpit detox mask is easier than you might think. According to Ilyas, you can use a one-to-one ratio of bentonite clay to apple cider vinegar. "Clay in a detox mask is usually added to help draw excess oil or sebum away from the skin," says Ilyas.

Inican remove residue from aluminum-based antiperspirants, Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Mount Sinai, told BuzzFeed. Apple cider vinegar, a known antibacterial, is meant to "eliminate bad bacteria and allow new healthy bacteria to replace it," says Zeichner. Leave the solution on for five to 20 minutes, and remove it with a warm washcloth. As long as you dilute the apple cider vinegar with clay—which makes it less irritating—you can apply the mask as frequently as you'd like.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb

READ THIS NEXT: For more health advice delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.

Another way to treat your underarm area is with a sugar scrub, which is a type of physical exfoliant. "Physical exfoliants are products that work by manually removing buildup through the abrasive or gritty quality," says Ilyas. These can be effective at eliminating bacteria, which can reduce odors, and exfoliating the area to reduce sebum and product buildup. That exfoliating nature can also reduce the likelihood of ingrown hairs. "Lastly, sugar tends to hold onto moisture and can hydrate as it exfoliates," says Ilyas.

To make a sugar scrub, simply add a pinch of sugar to your cleanser or to a device such as a loofah or brush, says Ilyas. Don't worry about adding too much or getting too rough, which can happen with other physical exfoliators. "It's hard to go overboard with sugar because it naturally dissolves and the abrasive quality goes with it," says Ilyas.

Creating a DIY armpit detox or sugar scrub may be one trick, but this method is foolproof. "The most important way to make antiperspirants last longer or work more effectively is to apply them at night , "kata Ilyas." Mereka meluangkan waktu untuk berlaku dan akan jauh lebih efektif pada hari berikutnya dengan memiliki kesempatan untuk membentuk endapan yang diperlukan untuk secara fisik memblokir saluran keringat. "Secara mengejutkan, ini bahkan berlaku jika Anda mandi di pagi hari , karena reaksi tetap di tempatnya selama sekitar 24 jam setelah aplikasi - apakah Anda mandi atau tidak. Jadi, lain kali Anda menjalankan rutinitas perawatan kulit malam hari Anda, Anda mungkin ingin mendedikasikan satu detik untuk sapuan antiperspirant.

Baca ini selanjutnya: Jika napas Anda berbau seperti ini, periksa hati Anda, kata para ahli .