Can Apple Cider Vinegar Remove Body Odor?
Apple cider vinegar is frequently recommended as a natural deodorant, but can it actually remove body odor?
The honest answer is that apple cider vinegar may temporarily reduce odor for some people, but it is not a proven cure for body odor. Its acidity may make the skin less favorable to certain odor-producing bacteria. However, clinical evidence specifically supporting apple cider vinegar as a deodorant is limited, and applying vinegar incorrectly can irritate or even burn the skin.
Here is what you should know before putting apple cider vinegar under your arms or anywhere else on your body.
What Causes Body Odor?
Sweat itself is generally not the source of body odor. Odor develops when bacteria and yeast living on the skin interact with components of sweat.
This commonly happens in warm, moist areas such as the:
- Armpits
- Feet
- Groin
- Skin folds
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, body odor develops when sweat mixes with bacteria on the skin. Factors including exercise, stress, hormones, diet, medication and excessive sweating can influence how strongly a person smells.
Can Apple Cider Vinegar Help With Body Odor?
Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, which gives vinegar its sharp smell and acidic nature. Because odor is partly produced by microorganisms on the skin, reducing their activity could theoretically help control odor.
However, this does not mean apple cider vinegar permanently removes body odor or works for everyone.
At most, diluted apple cider vinegar may provide temporary odor control by:
- Changing the skin’s surface environment
- Helping remove odor-causing residue
- Reducing the activity of some microorganisms
- Replacing an unpleasant odor with vinegar’s temporary scent
Research has not established apple cider vinegar as a reliable medical treatment for body odor. It should be viewed as an optional home remedy—not a replacement for bathing, antiperspirant, deodorant or medical treatment when needed.
How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Underarm Odor
Never apply undiluted apple cider vinegar to sensitive skin. Vinegar is acidic and can cause significant irritation, especially after shaving.
If you decide to try it:
- Mix one part apple cider vinegar with at least three or four parts water.
- Test a small amount on an unaffected patch of skin.
- Wait 24 hours to check for redness, itching or irritation.
- If no reaction develops, lightly apply the diluted mixture to clean underarm skin using a cotton pad.
- Rinse it off if you experience burning, stinging or discomfort.
Do not apply apple cider vinegar immediately after shaving, waxing or exfoliating. Do not use it on cuts, rashes, infections or broken skin.
Vinegar should also be kept away from the eyes and sensitive genital tissue. Poison Control warns that prolonged skin exposure to vinegar can cause burns and that vinegar should not be used to treat wounds.
Does Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar Stop Body Odor?
There is no strong evidence that drinking apple cider vinegar eliminates body odor from inside the body.
Body odor is primarily produced when sweat interacts with microorganisms on the skin. Drinking ACV does not directly wash away those microorganisms or stop sweat production.
Some foods, alcohol, medications and health conditions can influence the way a person smells, but claims that drinking apple cider vinegar “detoxes” the body and eliminates odor are not medically established.
If you choose to drink ACV for another reason, it should always be diluted. Drinking it undiluted can irritate the mouth and esophagus and damage tooth enamel.
Better Ways to Control Body Odor
Apple cider vinegar is not the only—or necessarily the best—option. More established ways to reduce body odor include:
- Washing odor-prone areas regularly
- Showering after heavy sweating
- Drying the skin thoroughly
- Wearing clean, breathable clothing
- Changing damp clothing promptly
- Using deodorant to control odor
- Using antiperspirant to reduce sweating
- Washing shoes, socks and workout clothes regularly
The Cleveland Clinic also recommends keeping the skin clean, wearing breathable fabrics and using topical antiperspirants when appropriate.
For stubborn underarm odor, the American Academy of Dermatology notes that a benzoyl peroxide wash may help by reducing bacteria. However, it can irritate sensitive skin and bleach towels or clothing, so it should be used carefully.
When Body Odor May Require Medical Attention
Most body odor is normal and manageable. However, you should consider speaking with a healthcare professional if:
- Your odor changes suddenly without an obvious reason
- The odor persists despite regular washing and clean clothing
- You begin sweating much more than usual
- You experience night sweats
- The skin becomes painful, swollen, cracked or infected
- The odor smells unusually fruity, fishy or bleach-like
Persistent or unusual odor can occasionally be connected to excessive sweating, infection, medication, hormonal changes or an underlying medical condition.
The Bottom Line
Apple cider vinegar may temporarily reduce underarm odor for some people, but it cannot be counted on to completely or permanently remove body odor.
Its acidity may affect odor-producing microorganisms, but evidence for its use as a natural deodorant remains limited. Undiluted vinegar can also irritate or burn the skin.
If you want to experiment with apple cider vinegar, dilute it heavily, perform a patch test and apply it only to healthy, unbroken skin. For persistent or suddenly changing body odor, address the underlying cause instead of attempting to cover it with vinegar.