Excessive sweat, odour in the skin

Do you feel self-conscious when you wear a sleeveless top because your underarms are constantly sweaty or shades darker than the rest of your arms? When it comes to maintaining a good skincare regime, the underarms are often neglected because they aren't immediately visible. Without proper attention to the area, problems such as excessive sweat, odour, bumps and hyperpigmentation can become long-term issues or cause awkward social moments.

In Singapore's tropical climate, having the right care routine is even more important as our bodies are exposed to constant heat and humidity. In a warm and humid environment, the accumulation of sweat in the folds of the skin can promote the growth of bacteria, fungi and yeast that can cause an odour or a rash. Sweat can cause the delicate skin in our armpits to become irritated or macerated, said Dr Evelyn Tay, Dermatologist at Shine Dermatology.

The body is balanced by sweating, but excessive sweating can cause problems. The thing is that sweat doesn't smell. It only gains odour when the bacteria present on the skin interacts with the sweat and oils creating body odour.