Our natural solutions for combating excessive underarm sweating

Sweating is a natural process that helps regulate body temperature. Sweat glands are responsible for sweating. Located in the deeper layers of the skin, they are mainly concentrated on the face, underarms, hands, feet and groin areas. When body temperature rises, our brain stimulates the sweat glands to produce sweat. This allows excess heat to be released, keeping our temperature at around 37°C.

Axillary hyperhidrosis is excessive underarm sweating

It is caused by overactive sweat glands, which secrete sweat without there any rise in body temperature.

Hyperhidrosis can also affect other parts of the body, such as the face, the soles of the feet, the palms of the hands and the groin area. It is therefore important to keep an eye out for certain symptoms and consider the best course of action if this excessive sweating starts to really impact your life.

The causes of excessive underarm sweating are not fully understood. According to the two commonly accepted medical hypotheses, hyperhidrosis could be caused by:

A disorder of the nervous system: Activated by the brain, the sweat glands are thought to produce sweat in quantities disproportionate to body temperature.

A family predisposition: Excessive sweating often affects several members of the same family

External factors: These episodes of excessive sweating generally occur as a result of factors that stimulate sweat gland activity, such as eating spicy food, consuming stimulants, emotions, being overweight and hormonal changes, particularly in the case of menopausal hot flushes

Excessive underarm sweating is characterised by several key symptoms:

Excessive Sweating

• Visible sweat: Sweat may be visible as large damp patches on your clothes.

• Feeling of dampness: Your underarms may feel constantly damp or wet, even without physical exertion or heat.

• Beading sensation: Large beads of sweat may form suddenly under the arms, accompanied by unpleasant body odour.

Body Odour

• Unpleasant odours: Excessive moisture encourages the growth of bacteria that break down sweat and produce unpleasant body odours, even with good hygiene. The smell of sweat can be very disruptive and make you feel self-conscious. If this bothers you and regularly makes you feel uncomfortable, check out our natural solutions for combating unpleasant body odours.

Discomfort and Skin Irritation

• Irritation: Constant sweating can irritate the skin, leading to redness, itching or rashes.

• Dermatitis: In some cases, this can lead to dermatitis or a skin infection caused by persistent dampness.

Impact on Daily Life

• Discomfort and embarrassment: Excessive sweating can cause social discomfort, leading to a lack of self-confidence and embarrassment, particularly in social or professional situations.

• Avoiding certain activities: People may avoid certain activities or choose specific clothing to hide the signs of sweating.

This daily routine will help you reduce excessive underarm sweating.

1. Use a gentle soap: Wash with a soap that respects your skin’s natural flora. You can choose one rich in purifying active ingredients to effectively neutralise sweat odours. After showering, dry your underarms thoroughly to prevent dampness, which can lead to bacterial growth.

Discover the Charcoal Detox Handcrafted Soap – plant-based & SAF

2. Apply an alum stone stick: Alum stone is a 100% natural antiperspirant. Its astringent properties effectively combat excessive underarm sweating. It also has antibacterial properties, which help to limit the growth of the bacteria responsible for unpleasant odours. It is also ideal as an after-shave treatment to stop any bleeding from minor cuts. 

Discover the 100% natural polished alum stone

3. Keep cotton wipes to hand. When you leave the house, keep some cotton wipes in your bag. If you start sweating heavily, these come in very handy for mopping up excess moisture and preventing sweat marks from appearing.

Discover the pack of 3 organic cotton wipes

It’s impossible to stop sweating altogether, but certain habits can help you limit underarm perspiration.

1. Avoid wearing tight-fitting and non-breathable clothing, such as synthetic fabrics. Instead, opt for clothing made from natural fibres such as linen and cotton. These materials are breathable and absorb moisture.

2. Limit your intake of stimulants and spicy foods.

3. Have a shower every day and after physical exertion.

4. Incorporate relaxation exercises into your daily routine to learn how to manage your stress more effectively.

5. Use a natural deodorant every day formulated with active ingredients that regulate excessive sweating, such as sage or bicarbonate of soda.

6. Keep your underarms hair-free: body hair traps sweat and therefore encourages the growth of bacteria.

7. Drink at least 1.5 litres of water a day: by staying sufficiently hydrated, your body’s waste products will be eliminated primarily through your urine. As a result, your sweat will be less acidic. 

Find out how to make your own deodorant, enriching it with active ingredients carefully chosen to suit your needs.

Create your own recipes to make cosmetic products that will help you sweat less naturally.

When you want to introduce a new product into your routine, we advise you to carry out a patch test on the inside of your elbow first. This will ensure you are not allergic to any of the ingredients. We also recommend checking for any contraindications of the ingredients based on your individual circumstances. It is also a good idea to see a doctor for a general check-up and, if necessary, further tests to determine the causes of this excessive sweating. 

Excessive underarm sweating can have many consequences: reduced self-esteem, fear of how others perceive you, social withdrawal, and an impact on your social and professional life… This can lead to a vicious circle: you become anxious at the thought of sweating, which ultimately only increases sweat production. If you recognise yourself in this situation, don’t hesitate to seek help from a therapist. They can help you regain your self-confidence and free yourself from your anxiety.

Amandine is a writer specialising in natural health. Passionate about alternative medicine, she is currently training to become a naturopath. Through her articles, she shares her knowledge in an accessible way, helping readers explore simple ways to bring more balance and wellbeing into their everyday lives.