I’ve stuffed paper towels in my cold, sweaty pits to try and absorb some of the sweat. I’ve used a hair dryer to blow my sweat circles dry – Although that doesn’t do anything for those stubborn stains.
If you’re like me, you know armpit sweat can be an embarrassing problem. Plus, it’s super uncomfortable and the stains can ruin your favorite clothes.
But don’t worry – there’s nothing wrong with you.
Sweating is a completely normal function of your body. It’s the way your body cools itself off. And it’s one way your body gets rid of toxins – which is something we should be thankful for!
The Problem With Deodorant & Antiperspirants
I never really thought of our skin as an organ, but it’s our largest one! And it’s one way toxins move in and out of our bodies. In fact, about 64% of what we put on our skin goes through to our bloodstream, but Skin Pharmacology and Physiology proved we absorb 100% of what we put on our underarms.
Doesn’t that make you think twice about what’s in the pit stick you use?
You’ve probably heard the news about the potential cancer-causing ingredients in antiperspirants, right?
Many deodorants and antiperspirants even have warning labels on them because of the toxic ingredients that may pose a risk to your health.
They are made with things like:
- Parabens – Toxic preservatives that are endocrine disruptors.
- Triclosan – A pesticide that can cause cancer.
- Propylene glycol – A petroleum plastic – The EPA considers it so toxic that it requires gloves, goggles & disposal by burying. EPA warns against contact because of brain, liver and kidney damage.
- Alcohol – If you light your deodorant on fire, it will burn baby burn.
- Aluminum compounds – Clogs sweat glands and may cause breast cancer, auto-immune disorders, kidney problems and more.
Did you know it’s actually the aluminum salts and acids in the deodorant and antiperspirants that bond to your sweat and create those stubborn stains?
So if deodorant and antiperspirants cause pit stains and can make us sick, why would we use them?!
The good news is, we don’t have to. There are other things we can try.
9 Natural Ways to Avoid Armpit Sweat & Stains
Here are nine simple natural ways to avoid that dreaded circle of cool sweat lurking under your arms. And the stains, too!
1. Switch to Natural Deodorant
Natural deodorants do not contain aluminum salts or acids that cause the armpit stains. Plus, they are free from many of the other potentially harmful chemicals used in many conventionally purchased products.
I’ve tried a couple natural deodorants that just don’t do the job. But, then again, there are some very effective brands that Natural Healthy Concepts customers swear by.
Here are a few of the best ones:
- Roll-on Holistic Formula Deodorant by Real Purity contains no chemicals or artificial fragrances, only oils, minerals, vitamin E, aloe and pure water for all natural odor protection.
- Organic, Aroma-Free Roll-On Deodorant by Miessence provides a helpful solution to reducing perspiration for even the most active people. It rolls on gently and easily. The formula is ideal for individuals with fragrance sensitivity.
- Lavilin Herbal Underarm Deodorant Cream by Hlavin Industries is a unique long-lasting, hypo-allergic herbal deodorant cream for men and women. A single application of Lavilin can eliminate perspiration odor for up to 7 days!
If you want to find more, check out Natural Healthy Concepts’ entire line of natural deodorants.
2. Reduce Stress
Stress kills. Being stressed is one of the worst things we can do for our health in so many different ways. And armpit sweat is one of them.
HealthyWoman.org does a great job of explaining the difference between sweat from exercise and sweat from stress.
“Sweat from environmental heat or physical activity is produced by your eccrine sweat glands, while sweat caused by stress comes primarily from your apocrine glands.”
The apocrine glands, found in your armpits, are larger and create a thicker, fattier sweat with more lipids and proteins than your endocrine glands do. When you’re stressed, your apocrine glands force sweat to the surface of your skin and make for the perfect meal for bacteria to feast on, which also creates more body odor, too.
If you’re a high stress individual and you think this could be part of your problem, you’d probably benefit from doing some stress reducing activities like massage or exercises of some sort.
Also, make sure you are getting enough B-vitamins. Your emotional and mental state are critically dependent on vitamin B from your diet. Especially B6 and B12. If you have a vitamin B deficiency you may be enduring unnecessary stress.
Also read about Natural Solutions for Stress, Anxiety & Depression.
- Find natural stress support supplements at Natural Healthy Concepts.
3. Eliminate Caffeine
According to Livestrong.com, caffeine from coffee, tea, soda and chocolate, powerfully activates the sympathetic nervous system which causes you to sweat.
You can start by eliminating all caffeine to see how your body reacts, or simply try reducing your intake.
Try drinking herbal teas instead!
4. Get Enough Magnesium
Did you know most of us are magnesium deficient?
This mineral is so essential to our health, but many things actually deplete our levels. Stress, sweating, anxiety, sugar, white flour, soda, saturated fat and processed foods all strip our bodies of this vital nutrient.
Magnesium deficiency can cause irritability, stress, anxiety and much more. Eating magnesium rich foods like pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts and spinach can help. Or, you could try a transdermal lotion, oil or magnesium supplement.
- Check out this infographic on Magnesium Deficiency
5. Eat Clean
Eating clean means fruits, veggies, greens, nuts, seeds, beans, healthy fats (olive oil, avocado, coconut oil), herbs, spices, organic chicken, wild salmon, grass-fed beef, fluoride-free water, etc.
When your body has the nutrients it needs, issues like excessive sweating will likely subside – especially if you’re sweating is cause by unhealthy foods in your diet. Clean eating can lessen the workload on your liver and kidneys allowing them to naturally eliminate toxins through your urine and bowels.
If you do a detox and start eating as clean as possible, you will probably notice big changes that go far beyond stinky, sweaty pits.
In my experience, detoxing and eating clean naturally keeps you from having any body odors.
Even your poop doesn’t stink! If you don’t believe me… try it!
- Check out our 7-Day Detox Guide to help you through.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar helps to balance the PH levels in your armpits making it hard for bacteria to thrive there.
Before you go to bed at night, try rubbing some apple cider vinegar on your underarms. You can shower it off in the morning and then apply your natural deodorant as usual.
7. Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea tree oil is a natural astringent and can also eliminate fungus and bacteria.
Try mixing a drop or 2 of tea tree oil with a tablespoon of water, coconut oil or jojoba oil and apply it with a cotton swab to your armpits in the morning.
You can also try adding lavender oil into the mix. Lavender has been used to clean sores and wounds. It smells good and it’s an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal just like tea tree.
8. Baking Soda
Baking soda does a really good job of absorbing moisture and eliminating odors. It’s alkaline by nature and helps balance your body’s PH levels where you apply it.
You can try patting some baking soda under your arms directly, or mix a spoonful of baking soda with a little warm water and your favorite smelling essential oil.
The mixture will be a thick, smelly-good paste that you can apply to your armpits and leave on for 15 minutes. Then you can choose if you want to rinse it off or leave it on. Either way, it will help absorb moisture and keep you dry.
There’s nothing like a homemade do-it-yourself solution!
9. Lemon
The citric acid in lemon kills bacteria. Many people swear by it as a natural deodorant. As you know, it’s fresh and smells good, too. And wouldn’t you rather absorb a healthy dose of vitamin C through your skin, instead of that sassy stuff in typical deodorant?!
Simply cut a lemon in half, squeeze some juice into your hand and rub it on! If you just shaved your armpits, you might want to wait 15 minutes before applying the juice – otherwise it will sting!
If you’re making your own natural deodorant with baking soda or coconut oil, you can try adding some fresh lemon or lime juice to that concoction as well.
- Check out our infographic on 12 more natural uses for lemons!
Leave us a comment and let us know what you decide to try and how it works for you!
Video – Mary Bloomer Shows You How to Make Homemade Natural Deodorant
References:
Featured image courtesy of Drew Herron via Flickr.com
