Neem Soap: How to Fight Body Odor Naturally This Summer
Summer days bring in sunshine and bright days. But it is also associated with hot days with high temperatures. Summers are more sticky and sweaty due to the same reason. It is a contributor to an embarrassing bad body odor.
It can be mind boggling to deal with hot weather while taking care of your skin. Body odor occurs due to bacterial growth in the sweat glands. You often try to cover up the odor by using fragrant cleansers and washes but they can’t be helpful completely. Using deodorants will also not be helpful.
You require an antibacterial agent that could kill the bacterial infection responsible for body odor and directly help in reducing the pungent smell. This can be achieved using a body soap containing antibacterial action. Neem soap is one of the most recommended and beneficial soaps.
It actively helps in reducing the body odor due to bacterial infection as it contains antibacterial active compounds. When used regularly in a shower routine it can act as a protective agent for the skin. It also provides a cooling and refreshening sensation which helps beat the hot days.
The root cause behind summer body odor
Our body produces sweat to regulate the body temperature. There are two kinds of glands responsible for sweat production.
- Eccrine glands: These glands are present all over the body and are responsible for producing a clear fluid which is odorless and water and salt based.
- Apocrine glands: These glands are found mostly in the underarms and groin which have more hair follicles. These glands produce a thick and protein rich sweat.
In summers there is an increase in sweat production. This happens when the body tries to cool down itself and regulate the temperature. The apocrine glands start producing higher amounts of sweat in this weather. This sweat usually is odorless but due to protein and other nutrients present in this sweat, it serves as a suitable environment for bacterial growth.
These bacteria when utilizing the nutrients release organic compounds which are responsible for producing a pungent and sour body odor. Wearing tight clothes in summer could trap the sweat in and this would create a moist environment for bacteria to survive. It leads to body odor as well.
Neem as the antibacterial agent
Azadirachta indica is the scientific name for the botanical plant neem. Most of the parts of neem are used for general body wellness. Amongst these neem leaves are used for serving skincare benefits. Neem is composed of various active compounds that contain potent antibacterial properties.
It is largely composed of compounds like nimbin, nimbidin, quercetin, oleic, linoleic, and palmitic acids. These compounds are responsible for providing the antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties.
How does it helps in reducing odor?
Neem contains bioactive compounds namely nimbin and nimbidin which are antibacterial. They serve as antimicrobial agents too which helps in killing the bacterial odor. Neem works by damaging the cell walls of the bacteria which causes body odor. This kills the bacteria. By doing so neem helps in reducing body odor. Neem also contains antifungal properties which helps to kill the yeast infections that could be responsible behind odor as well.
Additional benefits that neem soap can serve
- Relief from itching and rashes: Neem contains anti-inflammatory compounds that when used in a soap, on lather production provide a calming and soothing action on the skin which reduces the discomfort of prickly heat and rashes.
- Removes excess oil: Neem helps in controlling and clearing the excess sebum from the pores. It thereby helps in reducing the chances of bacterial survival which can survive in oily and moist environments.
- Skin refreshening: Neem contains a great deal of cooling sensation. It when used in soap formulations gives a refreshened and relaxed feel after rinsing the lather.
- Support skin barrier: Neem contains some quantity of vitamin E. This enables neem to actively help in supporting the barrier repair function by providing moisture.
- Skin hydration: When neem is formulated with skin hydrating and moisturizing ingredients like aloe vera it creates a hydrated and well moisturized canvas for the skin. This makes it the best soap for dry skin.
- Gentle cleansing: Neem soap is made by the process of saponification. It is a cold compressed glycerin soap which uses natural oils and alkali to form soap. So it promotes a gentle cleansing unlike the cleansers that are made with harsh surfactants.
How to use Neem or glycerin soap for fighting body odor?
- Firstly wash your body with water
- Then take the neem or glycerin soap and rub it on hands or loofah to produce lather
- Apply the lather using loofah or hands on the body
- Target the under arms and other sweaty areas
- Massage or rub softly for a minute
- Rinse off with water
Final thoughts
A neem soap is the ultimate natural way to control body odor. It actively fights the odor causing bacteria. This helps a lot in reducing the pungent smell from the body. It also clears out the sweat and oil which lets bacteria thrive. Using neem with active ingredients like turmeric can make it skin brightening soap. It becomes ideal for summer use.