Benefit or harm?
Baking soda is found in every home, and the availability of this product makes it popular. Some people are surprised by the fact that baking soda helps fight sweating. However, the beneficial properties of soda are what really give it this effect: it reduces sweating. It is especially important that the work of the sebaceous glands is not blocked. Unfortunately, the principle of operation of most deodorants is undesirable due to their negative impact on the functioning of the sebaceous glands. Accordingly, the use of soda is safer.
The main advantage of deodorants prepared independently using soda is their natural composition. They do not contain harmful components present in industrial antiperspirants, which harm the health of the skin and the functioning of the sebaceous glands.
Let's look at the beneficial properties of soda:
- Antacid. Thanks to this property, baking soda has a positive effect on the skin by stabilizing the level of acid levels in the dermis. If the skin becomes dry due to the use of conventional deodorants, then the level of its acid-base balance is reduced. When a person sweats, this level increases sharply and soda is able to normalize the resulting imbalance.
- Antiseptic. Baking soda reduces the intensity of the sebaceous glands. It also speeds up the healing of skin lesions. Any commercial deodorant completely blocks sweating, at least for a short period of time, and soda reduces it by about 30%. This turns out to be quite enough for sweating to become moderate, but at the same time the skin “breathes”.
- Elimination of unpleasant odor. The smell of sweat can be so strong and pungent that not every deodorant will completely eliminate it. Baking soda removes alkaline deposits from the blood and skin, which prevents odor from developing. The absence of places where alkalis accumulate is the key to completely eliminating the smell of sweat.
- Drying. The texture of baking soda resembles loose powder. Their actions are also very similar. Baking soda clogs the pores, but does not clog them completely, so air access remains free. It turns out that the pores remain “open” to oxygen, but “closed” to moisture. Due to this, the armpits remain dry.
Harm from using baking soda as a deodorant is extremely rare. It can appear if the powder gets into open wounds, which will cause irritation and pain. Also, using the product will cause serious harm to the skin if applied daily.
Antiperspirants can be found in the kitchen
The benefits of natural products are invaluable; they are used at home for various procedures, thanks to which the health, condition and appearance of a person improves. Even in ancient times, when there were no artificial cosmetics, people made do with the gifts of nature - plants, fruits, vegetables, etc. Nowadays, the relevance of these components has not diminished at all, because they show truly amazing results.
Lemon
We often use this citrus for various infectious diseases - flu, colds, etc.; drug manufacturers also use it as a component for antiviral drugs. This is explained by the fact that lemon has an antibacterial effect; it effectively fights bacteria and viruses that have entered the human body. For hyperhidrosis, the same property of lemon is used, because the smell of sweat arises from its contact with the waste products of bacteria inhabiting the surface of the skin. Lemon can also reduce sweating due to its drying effect.
Using this product instead of deodorant is extremely simple: you just need to wipe the problem area with a fresh slice of lemon or keep it on the skin for a few minutes. You can use lemon against sweat on all areas of the body that are prone to sweating, mainly the armpits, palms and feet. In addition to getting rid of unpleasant odor, you will receive a light, unobtrusive aroma and a boost of tone for the whole day.
The second option for using this citrus is refreshing wipes. To do this, moisten a dry cloth with freshly squeezed lemon juice until it becomes slightly damp, and then wipe the problem area with it. This product helps quickly, so it can also be used in emergency situations when you urgently need to correct your appearance. A lemon in a plastic bag can easily fit into a woman’s handbag; you first need to make a small cut in it. If you feel like you're going to start sweating a lot, take a break and use a lemon wipe to clean yourself up.
Apple vinegar
Even if you don't use this product in cooking or other beauty treatments at home, you can buy it specifically for getting rid of sweat. For this purpose, use regular apple cider vinegar with a concentration of 5-6%. It is useful because, unlike other types of vinegar, it contains a complex of useful substances that have a positive effect on the normalization of the sweating process. This product can be used on any part of the body; there are several basic methods:
- Rubbing. Using the product is very simple: you need to soak a cotton pad in vinegar and thoroughly wipe the problem area. You should be careful with the armpit area, as the skin there is thinner than, for example, on the feet, and the usual concentration may be too strong for it, resulting in itching and irritation. If side effects occur, you will have to stop using this anti-sweat remedy.
- Baths. They can be used to get rid of sweaty feet and palms. You need to prepare a vinegar solution: for 200 ml of vinegar (1 glass) you need 5 liters of water. Fill two basins with the resulting liquid, put your hands in one, and your legs in the other, stay in this position for 30 - 40 minutes. To improve the aroma, you can add a few drops of any essential oil to the solution; this procedure can be carried out at home for no more than 2 weeks; it will allow you to forget about excessive sweating for a long time. If the problem returns, you can repeat the course no earlier than six months after completing the previous one.
- Lotions. The solution in this case is the most concentrated: you need to dilute 0.5 liters of vinegar with one glass of water, then soak cotton pads or gauze in the product and apply to the problem area for 15 - 20 minutes. You can use lotions in the armpits, feet (placed between the fingers) or palms (the hand is clenched into a fist). After completing the procedure, you must thoroughly dry the treated area and go to bed.
Many people do not want to use vinegar because of its smell, but if you carry out the procedure at night, not a trace will remain of it in the morning; to be more sure, you can wash the treated area with soap. Apple cider vinegar effectively combats excessive sweating and can eliminate the problem for a long time, and in some cases it never returns.
Baking soda
Another remedy that can get rid of sweating at home is regular baking soda, one package of which can be stored in the kitchen for years. But if you suffer from hyperhidrosis, it will be put to good use and the cost will be minimal.
The easiest way that soda can offer against sweat is to wipe areas of increased sweating with it. This should be done after a shower, the skin should be completely dry. A small amount of powder is placed in the palm of your hand and the problem area is treated with patting movements. At the same time, the clothes that you put on after this must be made from natural materials, otherwise you will not see any effect.
The next option involves creating a natural deodorant, the main component of which will be soda. In addition to this, you will need potato or corn starch and essential oils. To make your own deodorant at home, mix soda with starch in equal proportions, add 3-5 drops of tea tree oil and the same number of drops of any essential oil whose aroma you like. The resulting product can be poured into a package of cream or powder for easy storage. The result will be a talc-like powder that will need to be applied to problem areas 1 – 2 times a day. The resulting product should be stored in a cool, dry place, as baking soda can absorb moisture, making the product difficult to apply.
How to use baking soda to eliminate sweat odor
So, among the main properties of baking soda is the elimination of the characteristic odor of sweat. Most recipes for making deodorants using this product involve adding additional components. However, you can use just the powder. Its action will be quite enough to cope with the unpleasant odor.
There are several options for using baking soda to eliminate sweat odor:
- Wash your armpits or another part of the body, such as your legs, with warm water and soap. It is advisable to use household cleaner, as it does not contain harmful chemical irritants. Then wipe the clean skin dry with a towel, you can wait a few minutes until the moisture is completely absorbed. Take a small amount of baking soda, pour it into your palm and apply it to an area of skin. After a few minutes, we shake off the residue; there is no need to rinse it off with water.
- You can apply baking soda to cleansed skin, not in powder form. To do this, mix a small amount of the substance with water. The result should be a thick paste, its consistency should be such that it is easy to apply. Apply to the area under the arms or feet, leave for 5 minutes and rinse with warm water.
Soda for armpit sweat
It is known that the skin in the area under the arms is sensitive. This is why using baking soda is suitable for gentle care of this area. Using baking soda as a stand-alone anti-sweat remedy is not recommended for daily use. That is why folk cosmetology offers several recipes for soda-based deodorants with the addition of other ingredients.
Soda for armpit sweat can be a “salvation” for those people who are allergic to regular deodorants. For a self-prepared product to be effective, it is necessary to maintain exact proportions and follow recipes. Let's look at the most popular of them.
Recipe with cocoa butter
Take 1 tablespoon each of baking soda and cornstarch. Stir and add 3 tablespoons of cocoa butter. Cocoa butter is a vegetable fat in its structure. This product has a lot of useful properties and is widely used in medicine and cosmetology. All of them are an excellent addition to the beneficial properties of soda.
The butter must be melted, as it is often sold in compressed pieces. In some pharmacies you can also find liquid oil. Gradually pour the melted butter into the dry mixture of soda and starch and mix. Apply the product under the arms. The advantage of the recipe is that the finished deodorant can be stored in the refrigerator and used as needed.
Recipe with coconut oil and shea butter
Coconut oil and shea butter are something “exotic” for many, however, these substances can be purchased in many pharmacies or beauty stores and salons. The oily base of the deodorant gives it nutritional properties and makes it convenient to use. Preparing such deodorants is very simple.
Take 2 tablespoons of baking soda and cornstarch and mix. Add 5 tablespoons of coconut oil and mix well again. The recipe with shea butter is a little different. To prepare it, take 3 tablespoons of oil and baking soda, add 2 tablespoons of corn starch and 2 capsules of vitamin E. Mix all the ingredients and apply to the cleansed area under the arms.
Some people add a few drops of essential oils to soda-based deodorants for scent. The most convenient way is to place the finished products in boxes of purchased deodorants and store them in the refrigerator.
Simple Home Deodorant: An Effective, Safe Alternative
Taken here: https://academy-miracles.ru/wonders/146/38624.html
On my own behalf, I will say that I tried using baking soda instead of deodorant. True, only a couple of days, but I like it so far))))
Simple Home Deodorant: An Effective, Safe Alternative
I hope this article doesn't seem too personal to you. I haven't worn deodorant since last Christmas. The most important thing is that I no longer smell of sweat. Want to know why I stopped using commercial antiperspirant? I’ll definitely tell you, but it’s better to ask: Why should you avoid deodorant at all? Because deodorant is applied to areas that are frequently shaved, it is absorbed into the skin much faster than other products. This means that it greatly affects the body as a whole, just like what enters our body through the mouth. The skin is our largest organ, and one of its jobs is to absorb.
In his book Living Green, Greg Horn conducts a small experiment: rub the sole of your foot with a clove of garlic, cut in half. After a few minutes you will feel the taste of garlic in your mouth. Our skin absorbs the product applied to it, so we must be well aware of the properties of any product and use it with caution. Last December, I learned that antiperspirants (not deodorants) contain aluminum as an active ingredient. 1. Aluminum may increase the risk of breast cancer. 2. Antiperspirants block sweat glands. 3. Aluminum destroys estrogen. 4. Aluminum is linked to Alzheimer's disease. My mother told me that when she was young (before antiperspirants were sold, although she is not old at all), sweating was completely normal. Modern people are very concerned about the dryness of their armpits and consider sweat to be a problem. Isn't sweat a function of the body that serves a purpose? Nature created us exactly as we are, according to its own laws, even if sometimes it seems a little unpleasant. Another major ingredient found in antiperspirant and many other personal care products is parabens. It has recently been proven that parabens can cause the risk of tumors, which is why so many pharmacy labels now say: “Paraben Free!” When there is a question about the harmful effects of a product, especially one relatively new in human history, and especially when there is a simpler, non-commercial, cheaper alternative for that product, I prefer to side with that proven, safe alternative. I don't like spending money on products, especially natural ones, if they may not be effective. I wouldn't buy a $5 deodorant that wouldn't combat the smell of sweat and waste the money. What's the natural alternative? Baking soda
It was the Christmas holidays and I was at home with the kids, so no one would have noticed the smell of sweat on me.
I took a package of baking soda from under the sink and placed it in the bathroom. After showering, I applied baking soda to my damp armpits. The smell of sweat did not appear, so I tried again. You might think that I just didn't sweat much because it was winter outside and I live in Michigan. This may be true when the temperature at home is 17.5 degrees. But on the second day of using soda, I decided that it definitely wouldn’t do the job. I was clearing snow from the road after a heavy snowfall and felt beads of sweat rolling down my back under my airtight raincoat. I also noticed an irritating damp feeling under my arms that we had become unaccustomed to. I prepared myself to smell sweat, but to my great surprise, I didn't smell anything. Of course, there was humidity, but there was no unpleasant smell of sweat. The only time I smelled sweat while using baking soda was when I was wearing rayon pajamas and getting ready to take a shower. In any case, most antiperspirants wear off overnight, and artificial materials increase the smell of sweat. I continued using baking soda for a month or two until my mother gave me a wonderful powder jar that she had had in her closet for a long time. I decided to mix equal parts cornstarch and baking soda to achieve dryness. As before, I applied the product to the damp skin of my armpits, only this time I used a puff. (You can use a regular small cup and makeup brush.) It took no more than two minutes and didn't cost any extra money. Again, the product worked great, but I was starting to worry about whether it would help as summer arrived. Coconut oil
When I bought a gallon of coconut oil, I decided it was time to try making real deodorant by adding the oil to baking soda and cornstarch. Using a fork, I mixed the coconut oil into the dry mixture until it was a smooth consistency. Less than 240 ml lasted me 9 months. I placed the paste in an empty antiperspirant container, and now it can be used like a commercial antiperspirant. This type of deodorant no longer caused much surprise to my husband. Coconut oil has antibacterial properties and a pleasant, light coconut scent, so it's a great addition to baking soda (for odor) and starch (for moisture). Some people add a few drops of essential oil to give it a pleasant scent. But it works
is this a remedy?
My answer will be short: Yes.
I haven't sweated at all this summer! Even if the harm of aluminum and antiperspirant is exaggerated or minimal, I will still choose ingredients that are safe enough to eat without harming my health. In addition, this all-natural deodorant helps me. Here are its advantages:
- No irritation when applied to shaved armpits
- Nice smell
- Absence of parabens, aluminum and other synthetic substances
Breastfeeding mothers will feel the difference - when my baby's hand is in the armpit area, I don't worry about what chemicals are going into his mouth. There were few disadvantages:
- The melting point of coconut oil is 24.5C, which means that the deodorant becomes liquid in the summer. I keep it in the refrigerator and sometimes in the morning I forget to use it.
The deodorant is easy to apply, even when it's cold. I just touch it to my skin and it starts to get soft. It takes me about 5 minutes to make the mixture, although I only made it once and just fill the bottle from time to time.
Soda compress
Soda compresses are made for the feet, and there are several ways to prepare them:
- Take 1 tablespoon of soda and dissolve it in a glass of water at room temperature, mix. We wipe the feet with the resulting solution using a sponge or gauze. Take a pair of clean socks, soak them in the remaining solution and put them on your feet. After an hour, take off your socks, wash off the remaining soda from your feet and wipe dry.
- The next compress is applied overnight. Take 1 tablespoon of soda and dissolve it in a glass of water at room temperature, mix. We soak a sponge in the solution and wipe the foot and each toe. Then we make small swabs; you can use plain cotton wool for this. Soak them in the solution and leave between your fingers overnight. We put socks on top. In the morning, take off your socks and rinse your feet with clean water. Soda compresses can cause itching and if it is slight, you can endure it, but if the sensation is too unpleasant or even painful, the procedure must be stopped.
Baths
Soda foot baths are suitable for cases where the cause of excessive sweating and unpleasant odor is a fungus. The skin of the legs becomes soft after the procedure and immediately after it you can apply antifungal ointment or other products. Preparing the bath is very simple: fill a bowl of warm water (about 40 degrees) and add soda. For every 2 liters of water, take 1 tablespoon of powder. It is important that the temperature of the bath is not too hot, because in this case most of the beneficial properties of soda will be lost.
After adding soda, pour a little liquid soap, preferably antiseptic, into the basin and mix everything. Lower your legs and hold for 15 minutes, adding hot water as needed. After finishing the procedure, it is advisable not to wipe your feet, but to let them dry. Then you can apply ointment or nourishing cream.
Eliminating sweat odor from clothes
Baking soda can remove sweat odor from clothes. This is possible due to one of its main properties - the ability to absorb odors, neutralizing them. There can be many reasons for using this method. Some people simply don’t have time to wash the item, others wore it once and it remained clean, there’s just an unpleasant smell, etc.
There are several options for using soda in such cases:
Take 1 tablespoon of baking soda and dissolve it in a glass of water at room temperature. We soak a napkin in the resulting solution and wipe the areas where sweat stains remain. After 5 minutes, wipe the same places with another cloth soaked in clean water. Let it dry. Take 0.5 tablespoons of soda and salt, dissolve them in a glass of water at room temperature and add 1 teaspoon of ammonia. We wet the napkin and wipe the desired part of the item. After 5 minutes, wipe with a cloth soaked in clean water. This recipe allows you to effectively get rid of yellow spots.
Traditional medicine recipes
Of course, many products are intended solely for cosmetic use. Therefore, if you have problems with excessive sweating, it is better to consult a doctor. Such conditions can be caused by serious problems in the body, as well as harmful environmental factors, so in this case it is better to find the cause, and only then deal with the symptom that has arisen.
Tea mushroom
If you have this useful assistant “living” at home, you can use the resulting liquid as a home deodorant. To do this, the previously washed body must be wiped with a small amount of tea infusion. You can repeat the procedure twice a day, the smell will not bother you during this time.
Read: Which is safer, deodorant or antiperspirant?
Oak bark
An excellent, proven remedy that helps with many different unpleasant problems. If we are talking about sweating of the armpits, you must adhere to the following algorithm.
How to use oak bark for sweat:
- Approximately 5 tablespoons of the dry mixture must be brewed in 0.5 liters of boiling water.
- Bring the resulting infusion to a boil over low heat and cook for about half an hour.
- After this, leave the mixture for two hours to obtain a strong infusion.
- Strain any solids.
- Soak cotton pads and apply to problem areas twice a day for two weeks.
After such therapy, increased sweating will stop or noticeably decrease.
Oak bark has excellent astringent properties, so it is very good to use foot baths made from a strong decoction of this ingredient.
This method will not only help reduce sweating of the feet, but will also get rid of the characteristic odor and help restore normal well-being and self-confidence.
Learn more about what to do if your toenails break.
Black tea
Black tea leaves have similar properties. To do this, you must take large-leaf tea, brew it into a strong decoction and wipe the armpits three times a day. After only a week, positive dynamics are noted, and after two or three you will forever forget about excessive sweating and problems with unpleasant odor.
Soda
This remedy is simple and effective.
You can use soda at any time of the year, and it does not leave any marks on clothes.
For comfortable use, you need to stir an arbitrary amount of soda and a little water. The result should be a paste-like mixture, easy to apply with cotton pads. To further deodorize the product, just drop a little of your favorite essential oil. You can use baking soda paste once a day.
Video about deodorizing with soda
Read reviews about baths with soda and salt for weight loss.
Herbal infusions
Pharmacy herbal infusions are also effective. In addition to oak bark, you can take chamomile, peppermint and string. Celandine, as well as St. John's wort and nettle, are known for their good cleansing properties.
The main condition: be sure to make sure that you are not allergic to such herbs.
Brew the dry mixture according to the instructions on the package, slightly increasing the concentration for better effect. You need to wipe problem areas twice a day, always on a clean body.
Apple cider vinegar or lemon
Indispensable remedies for many misfortunes will also show their effectiveness here. To do this, use lemon juice diluted in half with water or apple cider vinegar in a concentration of 3:1. Use a cotton pad to moisten the armpit area twice a day. The characteristic smell of vinegar will quickly disappear, and a new one will not appear for a long time.
Video shows a simple way to get rid of sweat odor
Complex therapy will help best when the above-described remedies are alternated with herbal baths (you can use sea salt), and all hygiene rules are followed.
It is best to wear fairly loose clothing made from natural fabrics, and combine physical activity with proper nutrition and drinking regimen.
From this article you will learn about the causes of stretch marks on the buttocks.
But you can read about Maybelline mascaras and see photos here.
And how and with what to relieve pain when epilating the bikini area is written here.
Soda for foot sweat and odor - folk remedies
Let's consider several folk recipes against sweating feet using additional folk remedies:
- Soda with salt. Both of these products, when interacting together, are able to overcome all bacteria that accumulate on the feet. It is because of them that feet often have an unpleasant odor. Take 1 tablespoon of soda and salt, preferably sea salt, fill them with 2 liters of hot water, lower your feet and hold for about 15 minutes. After the procedure, it is recommended to apply talc or baby powder.
- Soda with oils. Some oils can “drown out” the unpleasant odor of sweat, and baking soda will enhance their effect. Take 2 liters of hot water, add 50 g of olive oil and 5-6 drops of orange oil. Orange oil can be bought at any pharmacy. It can also be replaced with tea tree or lemon oil. Keep your feet in the prepared solution for 15-20 minutes.
To achieve permanent results, it is recommended to undergo a course of procedures with folk remedies, performing them daily for a week. Then you can repeat them if necessary.
The role of auxiliary components
Thanks to the components included in the recipe, the maximum positive effect is achieved, since they have an additional effect:
- Shea butter is a bactericidal agent that performs a protective function against the aggressive effects of sodium bicarbonate. The substance is 100% absorbed by the skin, eliminating the formation of oil marks on clothing.
- Tea tree oil is a natural antimicrobial agent that eliminates fungal and bacterial skin diseases. As part of deodorants, it eliminates inflammation of the armpits as a result of depilation.
- Cocoa butter is a skin moisturizer and softener that penetrates deeply into the cells. It is actively used in cosmetology as a rich source of nutrients and antioxidants.
- Starch is a substance that absorbs moisture. Sweat is retained by starch molecules and prevents clothing from getting dirty.
- Chamomile is an anti-inflammatory, disinfectant and analgesic that relieves irritation.
- Aromatic oils are substances that have an antiseptic and antimicrobial effect. They are used as fragrances in deodorants.
- Salt is a product that has antiseptic properties and helps kill bacteria. In combination with soda, it emphasizes its effect.
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Reviews from doctors
Alexey, endocrinologist
As an endocrinologist, I can responsibly state that hyperhidrosis can accompany a whole list of diseases. Some do not pay attention to the problem at all, not considering it serious. I strongly advise you to consult a doctor to determine the cause of excessive sweating. If it turns out that hyperhidrosis is not a sign of a serious chronic disease, then you can usually cope with it with folk remedies. Baking soda will come in handy. Any homemade deodorants made from soda and other natural ingredients can be effective; it is only important to choose a suitable and affordable option for yourself.
Elena, dermatologist
Some of my patients face the problem of too sensitive skin under their arms. This complicates their life, because conventional deodorants cause irritation, redness, and may even cause wounds. In such cases, I always recommend preparing anti-sweat products yourself. Most effective folk recipes consist of baking soda with other natural additives. Considering that soda is a natural substance, it is often tolerated absolutely calmly even by those who have hypersensitive skin.