10 hours ago
Sweaty feet, shaving rash: Sticky-summer advice from Toronto's viral hygiene expert Madame Sweat
'I tell people armpits are like rainforests — moist, dark and full of bacteria,' says Mary Futher, more famously known as Madame Sweat.
If you aren't already following her, you're missing out. Madame Sweat is the internet authority on hygiene and
personal care
etiquette, gross grooming truths and tricks for keeping your body and home germ-free, with 1.1 million followers on
Instagram
and 18.3 million likes on her
TikTok
posts. And she happens to be Canadian.
For Futher, there is no cleanliness conundrum too unpleasant to discuss, no
taboo body issue
that is off-limits: Recent screeds include 'The safe way to use cotton swabs,' 'The 3 filthiest everyday items,' and 'You're caring for your scab all wrong.'
Before she was the internet's grand dame of hygiene, Futher worked in product development at big beauty brands, including Revlon, Shoppers Drug Mart and YSL, where she learned how
active ingredient
s really work, and what consumers truly want from their personal care products.
Then, about a decade ago, she decided to start her own brand. Instead of pursuing
luxe lipsticks
or scented body lotions in pretty packaging, Futher's first launch was decidedly un-flashy: a deodorant. 'I've never been one for the sexy items, you'll notice, because I really like digging into things that nobody wants to talk about,' she says. At the time, everyone was on the hunt for a
natural deodorant
that actually worked, and her Kaia Naturals Charcoal Deodorant was a runaway hit. Its ensuing companion product, The Underarm Bar — for properly scrubbing away sweat before you apply a fresh layer of deodorant — remains her bestseller.
Mary Futher's brand Kaia Naturals' bestseller The Underarm Bar, $26,
, which contains apple cider vinegar, sea salt and activated charcoal.
Madame Sweat's straightforward take on keeping things fresh is, well, refreshing. So we asked Futher to share her top hygiene tips for summer. If you've ever experienced stinky sneakers, wondered how often you need to wash your
swimsuit
or had your deodorant fail you on a hot day (honestly, haven't we all?), then keep reading for no-nonsense advice.
'You can't stop the sweating, but you can stop the smelling by washing your feet,' says Mary. But think beyond the shower gel you use on your arms, legs and torso. 'It's prudent to keep two different types of body cleansers in your shower,' she says. That's a gentle one for the areas that don't sweat much or get particularly dirty, and a second, more effective soap for your feet, underarms and skin folds. Futher points out that some on SkinTok recommend strong antibacterial cleansers, but those should be used with caution because they can be irritating; she says a soap containing tee tree oil or apple cider vinegar will do the job. If you're not someone who showers every day, at least wash just your feet in the bathtub or sink.
Madame Sweat trick:
Wash smelly areas like feet daily and scrub for a full 20 seconds using your hands or a soft silicone shower scrubber — but avoid loofahs and shower poufs because they harbour bacteria.
If you notice odour coming from under your breasts or your belly button, a yeast infection could be the culprit. 'I've had two DMs this week about smelly C-section scars,' says Futher. Our skin is host to a range of fungus and bacteria — all over the body, all the time — but under certain conditions, yeast or fungus could proliferate, causing an infection. For some, all it takes is a string of particularly steamy summer day and voila, a yeast infection springs up in a skin fold.
If you think you have a yeast infection on your body, talk to your doctor to verify; they may prescribe an antifungal cream or direct you to an over-the-counter option to clear it up.
Madame Sweat trick:
To reduce the chances of an overgrowth of yeast in skin folds anywhere on the body, clean the area daily with a mild cleanser, pat dry, then apply a moisture-absorbing powder or a barrier cream.
Impromptu beach days or pool trips when you realize you need to groom stat are to blame for most shaving mishaps. 'You get into trouble when you try to do it fast,' Futher says. Instead, she recommends shaving regularly, so the hairs aren't too long and the skin becomes accustomed to the process, and taking your time as you move through the following steps. First, apply a warm, damp cloth to the area to soften the skin and open the pores. Next, use a cleanser that's exfoliating and disinfecting. Rinse, pat dry, and apply a shave oil: Futher finds these to be more effective than foams or gels, and says moringa oil (a seed oil from the moringa plant) works best. Using a new blade, shave in the direction of the hair growth, rinsing frequently to prevent clogging. Then — and this step is key — wash the area with disinfecting cleanser again, to remove any trace of bacteria that could turn into angry, red bumps. Lastly, pat dry and moisturize.
Madame Sweat trick:
Friction and perspiration can make shaved areas between your thighs and in your armpits prone to ingrown hairs. Exfoliate every second day with a product containing salicylic acid to keep the hair follicles from filling up with bacteria and dead skin cells.
Whether you've spent a day at the beach, lounging at the lake, or doing laps in the gym pool, you need to wash your bathing suit after every use. 'Leaving it wet is the worst thing you can do,' says Futher, adding that just throwing it over a line or balcony fence to dry doesn't quite cut it, either. Laundering your swimwear removes sweat, sunscreen, chlorine, salt and debris from a dip in any kind of water. For best results, wash your suit by hand in the sink using a mild clothing detergent, rinse well, then hang to dry thoroughly. (Never put swimwear in the dryer, as this will degrade the fabric.)
Madame Sweat trick:
'The same goes for sports bras,' says Futher. 'If you are prepared to take the time to wash them out by hand and hang to dry every time, you will extend their life by 50 per cent.'
We shed some 30,000 skin cells every hour (!) so an old pillow could be up to 30 per cent dead skin cells, dust and dust mites, says Futher. Not only is this revolting, but sleeping on a pile of dust mites can trigger indoor allergies and symptoms like sneezing and itchy, watery eyes. Hypoallergenic pillows, which are made from synthetic materials that discourage mites from thriving, are the best option, but they are pricey. Futher has another recommendation: 'Better yet, buy the hypoallergenic covers that will protect your pillow inside.'
Madame Sweat trick:
Launder hypoallergenic pillow covers in hot water monthly, to kill mould and mites, and replace your pillows every two years.
Baths can be wonderfully relaxing and therapeutic for sore muscles, but they're not a time for getting clean. When you're in the mood for a soak, Futher recommends pre-gaming with a quick shower — otherwise, you're just sitting in your own filth. Wash all your smelly bits, including feet, armpits and scalp, then rinse out your tub before you fill it with warm water to chill in.
Madame Sweat trick:
'A shower is for hygiene; a bath is a treat.'
