How to Get Rid of Body Odor​ and Sweating | Best Tips

Sweat odor is unpleasant, no question about it. But what can we do when we sweat and don’t want to smell? Deodorants with aluminum salts help against unpleasant body odors, of course. Those who do not want to take them can rely on these ingenious alternatives.

Why do we sweat?

We all sweat. One more, the other less. Sweating is a vital program of the body for us. The organism excretes not only fluids but also toxins through the pores – a self-cleaning process. Sweating is also important so that our body can maintain its body temperature when it is hot. When it gets hot, the diencephalon sends commands to the skin via the nerve tracts: Cool down. And then we start to sweat, especially in the armpits, neck, head, forehead, palms of hands and feet. At first, the sweat is odorless and colorless. It only begins to smell when bacteria decompose it.

What can be done against the odor of sweat?

Sweating yes, but please a little and preferably without any smelling – that is what we all wish for. Deo seems to be the ultimate solution. That is why antiperspirants against sweating are very popular. Creams or deodorants with aluminium chloride, which constrict the exits of the sweat ducts for a certain time and promise us 48 hour protection against wet armpits and unpleasant odours.

Deodorants with aluminum salts are still criticized for increasing the risk of breast cancer. At the moment, however, there are neither long-term studies nor scientifically conclusive evidence for this suspicion. However, the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment recommends that cosmetics with aluminum salts should at least not be used daily. Here there are the best alternatives: Deo without aluminum.

The natural alternatives against sweating and body odor

Those who do not want to constrict their sweat glands with aluminum salts can rely on natural household remedies to stop the flow of sweat and reduce odor. Here come our tips.

1. Rosemary refreshes

Baths with essential oils of rosemary are said to help reduce the bacteria on the skin. Rosemary contains menthol and chlorophyll, menthol refreshes the skin and is therefore often used for deodorant production. Chlorophyll can prevent metabolic bacteria living in the body from producing certain chemical and strong smelling compounds. A 20-minute bath in rosemary oil should leave us feeling refreshed for hours and make us fresh for the day. If you don’t have time for a bath, you can also drizzle rosemary oil on your freshly washed armpits. Peppermint oil also has a refreshing effect, but can irritate the skin more, especially if you have shaved armpits.

2. Traditional herb sage

A well-known home remedy against sweat is sage. Sage tea soothes the flow of sweat. In the morning, put 1 teaspoon of sage leaves in a cup, pour cold water over it and leave it until the evening. Sieve and drink just before going to bed. The next morning and noon drink another cup. Sage is also found in many natural cosmetic deodorants (for example from Weleda), it easily contracts the pores.

3. Lemon power

With its ascorbic acid, the lemon not only contracts the sweat pores and has an antibacterial effect, it also smells fresh. If you don’t have freshly shaved armpits, injured skin areas or very sensitive skin, you can try it and spread half a lemon over your armpits.

4. Tea tree oil against the causes of odor

The antiseptic effect of tea tree oil has long been undisputed: it destroys bacteria and fungi – this has even been proven in studies. Applied to the armpits, it helps to reduce the odor-producing bacteria. Those with particularly sensitive skin can mix pure tea tree oil with almond oil to avoid skin irritation. Do not apply directly to small skin injuries, it could sting. Tea tree oil is often found in products against foot sweat.

5. Doing exercise

Yes, exercise can help against sweating. People who exercise regularly lose sweat specifically through all their glands – which means that we sweat less in stressful situations in our everyday lives.

6. Acupressure trick

Those who sweat extremely can stimulate a special acupressure point at earlobe level. The energy points responsible for this are located about a finger’s breadth behind the ear on the skull bone. Massage left and right simultaneously with the index finger in circular movements several times a day.

7. Natural fibers

Basically, natural fibers like cotton or linen simply absorb sweat better. In air-impermeable synthetic fiber parts we sweat faster. If our favorite clothes start to smell quickly after we put them on, the following trick can help: First, wash sneakers and clothes with a hygienic rinse against bacteria and after drying, it is best to put them individually in a closed freezer bag in the freezer for a few days. Most odorous bacteria are heat-resistant up to certain temperatures, the clothing would have to be boiled to kill the germs, which does not work with sensitive pieces. Cold kills the bacteria reliably – and even your favorite blouse can tolerate that.

8. Goodbye armpit hair – this way, smell of sweat has less chance!

Under the armpits the sweat collects on the skin and in the hairs of the armpits. Because odorous substances are also released through the sweat sticking to the armpit hairs, it is better to shave, epilate or wax the armpits.