Why Do We Sweat and What Is It Made Of?

Okay, here’s the thing. That smell you smell when you sweat, isn’t sweat. Sweat itself is basically a clear, odourless liquid mostly made up of water, salt, proteins and oils.

But, mix it with the millions of harmless bacteria that grow in moist, humid and nutrient-rich environments like our armpits and it can start to smell.

The good news is, there’s lots you can do to reduce body odour. So, don’t let it put you off getting your sweat on.

girl with wavy brown hair and a shocked expression, cold sweats

Getting under the skin of body odour

Body odour is the smell our bodies give off when they sweat. And it occurs for various reasons, although it’s essentially down to your sweat glands and the bacteria that live on your skin.

So, let’s talk sweat glands. There are two types…

Eccrine glands

They produce sweat that simply cools your skin when you get too hot.
Built-in air con for your body, if you like.

Apocrine glands

These kick in at puberty and produce sweat that creates body odour when it comes into contact with bacteria. Turning your armpits, groin and other areas into breeding grounds for B.O.

Changes in diet, hot or humid weather conditions, wearing synthetic clothing and even certain types of medication can all activate that distinctive smell.

SO, BODY ODOUR’S ALL DOWN TO OUR GLANDS?

Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Changes in diet, hot or humid weather conditions, wearing synthetic clothing and even certain types of medication can all activate that distinctive smell. Speaking of which, ever noticed how body odour smells a bit like vinegar?...

A collection of laboratory test tubes with colored liquid inside

WHAT’S WITH THE VINEGARY SMELL?

Bacteria from the sebaceous glands of the body break down sweat into something called propionic acid, which comes from the same family as common vinegar. Hence that vinegary body odour when you’ve been sweating, whether from a gruelling HIIT class, nerves about a job interview or first date jitters.