There’s no real discreet way to say it: I suffer from not-so-wonderful smelling boob sweat. And now that it’s warm out, it’s something I get a little more self-conscious about. Over the years, I’ve tried a few different approaches to solve this problem.
Regular Deodorant/Anti-Perspirant
My first approach was to swipe my regular deodorant/anti-perspirant underneath my breasts, but all the news about the aluminum in these products being linked to cancer worried me. Regular deodorant was also very difficult to wash out of my bras, and I was concerned the chemicals were too harsh for the delicate fabric.
Read about better options after the jump.
All-Natural Deodorant Spray
Not too long after, I switched to Crystal Body Deodorant Spray which doesn’t contain aluminum and is gentle enough, according to the bottle, to spray on clothes. This has worked well for me over the years and has never caused any damage to my bras. The major flaw with the spray is that while it keeps me from smelling, I start the day feeling like I’m already perspiring. To combat this, I experimented with baby powder this winter. Although I don’t sweat nearly as much in winter as I do in the summer, I definitely can’t go without any protection.
Baby Powder
First I tried good ol’ Johnson and Johnson powder, in the lavender and chamomile scent. I got about 4 hours into the day before I began perspiring and embarrassingly, smelling. Next, I tried Gold Bond Ultimate Body Powder, which is billed as their strongest formula for odor protection. Some days it worked: I felt dry and I never smelled. Other days, depending on how many layers I had on or how hot the subway was, Gold Bond, sadly, failed. As the weather has gotten warmer, I’ve trialed this on occasion, only to be disappointed and smelly.
I’ve gone back to the Crystal spray, and I’m trying out their Crystal Essence Lavender & White Tea scent. I was happy to see that the description specifically pointed out that it’s safe to use on the chest. But, I’m still not completely satisfied. I recently saw some all-natural deodorant powders at Whole Foods, and I came across a recipe online for homemade deodorant powder, left by commenter Missy W. The cornstarch acts as an antiperspirant and the baking soda as a deodorant. Darlene also found a bra liner specifically for this problem, mentioned here, though I’m not thrilled about wearing additional fabric in warm weather. I’m going to be testing these deodorant powders in the upcoming weeks and will keep you posted with the results!
Note: I usually wash my bras after one wear. If you have boob sweat, I recommend this approach to help prevent even more odor.
