Three effective home remedies for heavy sweating and body odour
Whether it’s hot outside or you’re in a stressful situation, there comes a time when deodorants and drinking lots no longer do the trick. In that case, it’s time to turn to traditional home remedies and the power of nature. Here are our three top tips for combating sweating and body odour.
Tip 1: Medicinal plant remedies for sweaty hands and feet
Medicinal plants have been used for thousands of years as effective remedies for certain ailments. Sage and chamomile don’t just help to soothe sore throats and upset stomachs; they can also help to reduce sweating. Soaking your hands and feet in water infused with sage and chamomile ensures less smelly shoes after summer walks and that you won’t be embarrassed by an unpleasantly moist handshake when meeting people.
To make a hand or foot bath, bring a litre of water to the boil and steep three to four bags of chamomile or sage tea in the water for the allotted time. Make sure the tea has cooled down before bathing hands or feet. For the best effect, do this several times a day. It will also help you feel cooler in general.
Tip 2: Apple cider vinegar prevents moist armpits and the smell of sweat
If your hands and feet don’t get sweaty, you may nevertheless find that your armpits are problem areas. Apple cider vinegar is one of the best-known natural home remedies for getting underarm wetness under control. Simply dip a piece of kitchen towel or a washcloth in the vinegar and rub it under your armpits.
The smell of vinegar will dissipate quickly, but if you prefer, you could dab the apple cider vinegar under your armpits in the evening and leave it on overnight. The vinegar not only neutralises the smell of sweat, but also makes your sweat glands contract, so you actually sweat less.
Note: to avoid any burning sensation from the acid in the apple cider vinegar, don’t do this immediately after shaving your armpits.
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Tip 3: Make your own effective antiperspirant deodorant: here’s how!
Want to make your own aluminium-free deodorant to combat sweat and body odour the natural way? No problem! You can make your own antiperspirant with baking soda (Kaiser baking soda or sodium bicarbonate from the pharmacy), an essential oil of your choice and water or a carrier fat.
Simply put fourteaspoons of baking soda, 200ml of water and a few drops of the essential oil in a spray bottle and shake well for a few seconds to mix the ingredients. Instead of water, you could also carefully melt coconut oil, shea butter or beeswax in a saucepan. Now add the baking soda and the essential oil and leave the mixture to set in a cream jar. Voilà – you’ve made your own cream deodorant!
Sweat less in light-coloured clothing made from natural materials
Besides using natural remedies to combat heavy sweating or applying deodorants to the skin, it’s also important to choose your clothing carefully. On warm summer days, in particular, it’s best to wear light-coloured clothing, as this reflects the sunlight instead of absorbing it and transferring the heat to your body.
And the materials you wear make an even bigger difference. Airy fabrics made from natural fibres are breathable and naturally regulate your body temperature. They also absorb sweat more effectively and dry faster than materials like water-repellent polyester or polyamide, traditionally used for sportswear. Natural textiles like linen, cotton and silk are ideal for counteracting heavy sweating.
It might seem counterintuitive, but wearing a thin vest made of natural fibres is also a good idea if you sweat profusely. If business attire dictates that you need to wear garments like long-sleeved blouses or shirts in summer, putting a vest on underneath ensures better sweat absorption and helps regulate your body temperature.
The natural fibre TENCEL™ is highly recommended in the summertime as it absorbs a lot of moisture, dries quickly and reduces body odour. This reliably keeps you feeling fresh at all times.
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FAQs
Wear an undershirt to create a barrier between your skin and your clothes. Undershirts help reduce sweat stains by creating a barrier between your skin and your clothing. To help regulate your body temperature, wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.
How do you prevent sweat stains in the summer? ›
How to Prevent Pit Stains
- Wear a Sweat Proof Undershirt. To prevent sweat stains before they start, wear a protective undershirt. ...
- Apply Less Deodorant. ...
- Re-Evaluate Your Antiperspirant. ...
- Trim or Shave Armpit Hair. ...
- Take Sweat-Reducing Supplements. ...
- Assess Your Diet. ...
- Launder Shirts Right Away. ...
- Wear Loose-Fitting Shirts.
7 easy ways against sweating in summer
- Apply an antiperspirant at night. ...
- Avoid food and drinks that make you sweat. ...
- Try Botox against excessive sweating. ...
- Get a prescription for the treatment of hyperhidrosis. ...
- Laser treatment for underarms. ...
- Surgical removal of sweat glands. ...
- Wear breathable clothing to avoid overheating.
Consider the following tips:
- Use topical antiperspirants. Tired of the sweat stains on your shirt? ...
- Wait between showering and dressing. ...
- Shave your armpits. ...
- Avoid sweat-inducing foods. ...
- Eat more foods that reduce sweat. ...
- Stay hydrated. ...
- Wear breathable, loose-fitting clothing. ...
- Skip the caffeine.
Dress shields have been around for years, saving many dresses, bodices, and costumes from the dreaded sweat stain. Sweaty armpits are likely to occur under stage lights or because of a very active role.
How do you keep your armpits clean in the summer? ›
A Complete Underarm Care Guide For Summer
- Practise proper underarm hygiene.
- Use a moisturising deodorant.
- Include weekly underarm TLC.
- Remove hair with care.
- Check the labels of the products you use.
Apply antiperspirant twice daily: Application of an antiperspirant to underarms (or other areas, too!) twice daily (morning and before bedtime) has been shown to be more effective in controlling excessive sweat. Consider using a stronger, clinical-strength over-the-counter antiperspirant.
Why do I sweat so easily in the summer? ›
Underlying medical conditions such as having an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), diabetes, low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) and hyperhidrosis may also result in excessive sweating, night sweats and heat intolerance. Obesity and alcoholism can trigger episodes of heavy sweating also.
How do people not sweat in the summer? ›
Antiperspirants, dietary changes, and lifestyle tips, such as wearing loose clothing, may help reduce sweating. Over-the-counter and prescription remedies are also available. In some cases, a person may need treatment for an underlying health condition.
Why do I get sweat marks so easily? ›
To help regulate your body temperature, wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing. Wearing tight clothes—especially clothes that are snug beneath your arms—can cause antiperspirant ingredients to transfer from skin to cloth which can lead to stains on your shirt.
The combination of water, fats, proteins and salt in your sweat—as well as the deodorant additives like aluminum and zirconium, and body oils—all contribute to sweat stains.
What is the best antiperspirant for excessive sweating? ›
Give your pits the protection they need with our top pick, the Uriage Clinical Strength Deodorant. It's a roll-on antiperspirant that glides on in just a few swipes to keep sweating at bay. The aluminum-based formula works by reducing underarm wetness, though it also targets odors.
Does OxiClean remove yellow sweat stains? ›
For best results, pre-soak the sweat-stained garment OxiClean™ Odor Blasters™ Versatile Odor & Stain Remover. Yellow sweat stains and stubborn sweat smells will bow to the deodorizing and stain fighting power of OxiClean™ Odor Blasters™.
How to stop underarm sweating permanently? ›
Oral medications, Anticholinergics reduce sweating. Botox (botulinum toxin)-A, has been approved in the U.S. by the FDA for treating excessive axillary (underarm) sweating. miraDry. This technique uses microwave energy to permanently kill sweat glands.
What is the best material to avoid sweat patches? ›
Wear loose-fitting, natural fabrics.
Natural fibres like cotton, linen and wool let the sweat evaporate from your body more easily.
How to stop sweat showing through clothes? ›
Here are some ideas and tips to help take care of you and your clothes so that you can wear that shirt or jumper and maintain your look.
- Use antiperspirant or deodorant. ...
- Remove underarm body hair. ...
- Use sweat pads or sweat shields. ...
- Wear a moisture-absorbing undershirt. ...
- Think about your shoes. ...
- Change your socks.
Pit stains happen when the aluminum in your antiperspirant or deodorant mixes with your sweat and gets absorbed into your clothes. Over time, more residue builds up on your clothes and yellows the stain.
