One of the most common (and noticeable) grooming issues for men, is the battle to control underarm odor and all of its smelly remnants. No need in pretending like it's never happened to you - this personal aromatic disaster has affected us all at one point or another.

The question is, "What can you do to about it?"

Most body odors, which are scientifically known as "bromidrosis", occur when bacteria metabolizes proteins and fatty acids in the sweat produced by the apocrine glands. These glands are located in the armpits, the groin area, and other parts of the body that collect large amounts of bacteria.

The first line of defense against underarm odor, is good old-fashioned washing. You should thoroughly scrub the underarm area at least once a day with soap, water, and a washcloth. Applying soapy hands, or just plain water to the armpit area, is not as effective for removing bacteria.

Following a consistent cleanliness plan is just half the battle. Washed underarms will only remain fresh and clean for about 2.5 hours, depending on weather conditions and the amount of sweat accumulated. To effectively combat underarm odor, consider the following tips and our list of tested deodorants.

Use An Anti-perspirant/Deodorant Mix
Yes -- there is a difference. Many men find anti-perspirants effective against wetness and those armpit-downpours during the summer months. While deodorants do not supply protection against sweating, anti-perspirants do not help prevent odor. Instead, they block the sweat ducts with aluminum salts, which reduces the amount of perspiration. Both elements work in tandem to fight odor and wetness, and may even include added fragrances which further cover odors. Most fragrances that are added to the deodorant/anti-perspirant mix, are enclosed in a starch coating and released progressively as the coating is dissolved by sweat.

Check Your Diet
The foods you eat can have a direct effect on underarm odor and overall body odor. Sulfurous foods such as broccoli, garlic, and onions - and some meats, can cause body odor. Meats especially take a long time to move through your digestive tract, causing its decaying material to remain in your body longer. As a result, you may experience bad breath and smelly sweat. Combine all of this with the lack of an effective deodorant/anti-perspirant, and the people around you are in for a bad day!

Listed below are our picks for some of the most effective deodorant/anti-perspirants. There is never a "one does it all" combination, so you may need to try different brands to find a nice fit. Gels tend to provide the most efficient coverage, while solids better fight wetness.

Deodorant/Anti-Perspirant Name	Rating
Old Spice - High Endurance
Maxim Anti-Perspirant
Mitchum Clear Gel - Anti-Perspirant/Deodorant
SpeedStick 24/7 - Anti-Perspirant/Deodorant
Weleda Deodorant
Right Guard Xtreme - Anti-Perspirant/Deodorant
Ban Ultra Dry - Anti-Perspirant/Deodorant
Degree Ultra Dry - Anti-Perspirant/Deodorant
SpeedStick Ultimate - Anti-Perspirant/Deodorant
Arm & Hammer - Anti-Perspirant/Deodorant

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