5+ ways to smell better post workout

I’m one of those weird people who actually likes going to the gym.

To me, working out, while necessary, is also fun. In fact, I drive my oldest daughter crazy since she absolutely hates to run and I’m always trying to encourage her to do a mile or two with me.

But, one thing I don’t like about the gym is how I smell by the time I leave.

After all, I want to work out, but I don’t want to smell like I worked out… especially if I need to hit up the drugstore, the grocery store, or have a parent/teacher conference on the way home.

Well, soon I may not have to worry about smelling sweaty (or stinky).

That’s because researchers from the University of Minho in Portugal, are working on a body-odor fighting strategy that starts with your workout clothes…

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Workout clothes that make you smell better

You see, for several years now, scientists have been working to develop what they call “smart fabrics.”

These are fabrics that react to stimuli like light, temperature or mechanical stress and respond in certain set ways. They might change color or conduct an electrical signal.

And, now, they can even release puffs of fragrance. Pretty cool, right?

In fact, the researchers set out to develop and compare two new strategies for releasing a fragrance – β-citronellol, a lemongrass-derived scent used in some insect repellants – from cotton fabric in response to sweat.

Basically, they wanted to create a fabric that when you sweat, whTheyress, a hot summer day, or your latest intense workout, would give off a cool, fresh, lemony scent and cover up any embarrassing body odor.

First, they used an odorant-binding protein (OBP) found in pigs’ noses (yup, pig snouts could be the key to making your sweat smell sweet) to bind that lemongrass scent to a carbohydrate-binding module (CBM), that then binds it to cotton.

Next, they tried packaging the fragrance in liposomes (molecules containing a water droplet) that had their own CBMs to anchor the scent to the fabric.

They then exposed the modified cotton fabrics to an acidic sweat solution and they found that while the OBP option released a quick burst of scent, the liposomes showed a slower, controlled release. And, the liposomes could also hold more fragrance than the other approach.

According to the scientists, both strategies will be useful for different clothing applications.

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How to lose the workout stink

So, hopefully, soon, your sweaty workout could turn into a breath of fresh air. And, to top it off, since the scientists are using citronella, which is also an extremely popular natural insect repellent, wearing those fabrics outdoors could ward off insects and body odor, at the same time.

It may be a while before you can find workout clothes using this cutting-edge “smell good” fabric technology, but there are a few ways you can reduce BO after workouts even more:

1. Choose natural, moisture-wicking, breathable fabrics
2. Find your favorite essential oil scent and mix it with a carrier oil. Lightly spritz before your workout. Essential oil scents last longer than perfume coverups.
3. On the days you work out, cut back on foods that come out of your pores, like garlic, onions, cauliflower, asparagus, and even caffeinated beverages
4. Shower as soon as possible after working out and washing your gym clothes
5. Use an anti-bacterial body wash on areas that get the most stinky

It may sound odd, but if you feel that your post-workout scent is especially strong, you might consider showering before as well as after (just don’t dry out your skins!). Dermatologists blame the stink on bacteria already on thskinface of our skin. The bacteria eat the components of sweat, causing an odor as they are digested.

Now, that you know all the things you can do to keep your sweat smelling sweeter, it’s time to hit the gym!

Sources:

1. Fragrance-releasing fabric could help neutralise sweaty clothes — E&ampT Magazine
2. Fragrance-releasing fabric could help neutralize sweaty gym clothes — American Chemical Society
3. Sweating and body odor — Mayo Clinic
4. Real Talk: Why Does Sweat Smell So Bad After Certain Workouts? — Livestrong.com