Soda instead of deodorant and other folk remedies for sweat

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:

1. 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.
2. 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”.
3. 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.
4. 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.

Benefits of baking soda

Sodium bicarbonate, the chemical name for the substance with the formula NaHCO3, is a non-toxic, mild alkali that, due to its composition, has natural properties to combat excessive sweating:

• alkali allows you to neutralize the acidic environment in which microorganisms multiply beneficially, and to equalize the acid-base balance in the alkaline direction;
• antacid properties neutralize the increased acidity of the gastrointestinal tract, which is often the cause of odor when sweating;
• anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect stimulates the sebaceous glands, reducing the amount of sweat produced;
• The bactericidal effect neutralizes bacteria - the cause of odor when sweating.

Expert opinion
Attention!

The advantage of sodium bicarbonate over cosmetics is the absence of metals and preservatives found in deodorants and antiperspirants. Long-term exposure to metals on the body can lead to cancer, and preservatives can lead to liver and kidney dysfunction.

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.

How to use natural deodorant

Deodorant should be applied to clean skin in areas of greatest sweating. It can also be used as a body cream after a shower. The author prefers to apply deodorant to problem areas with two fingers, and he rubs the remaining aromatic emulsion on his fingers into the skin of his hands like a balm. You can use a cosmetic brush to apply deodorant.

PS In the comments to this recipe, one user shared his experience that coconut oil clogged his pores, which caused inflammation. Later, instead of coconut oil, he began to use shea butter and tea tree butter. The result was amazing.

What deodorants do you use?

Translation and photos from www.instructables.com

Soda compress

Soda compresses are made for the feet, and there are several ways to prepare them:

1. 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.
2. 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.

How can you replace an unexpectedly run out of deodorant exclusively at home?

The situation when the deodorant has run out and there is no way to buy a new one can upset anyone, especially if the product is needed here and now. Fortunately, there are many folk recipes that can solve this problem using products that are found in every home. You can even replace deodorant with food products.

Lemon

This bright and fragrant citrus is suitable not only for tea. A large number of beneficial properties make it an excellent skin care product. Lemon juice:

• effectively fights viruses, bacteria and fungi;
• has a drying and softening effect on the dermis;
• refreshes the surface of the body, giving the skin a bright and fresh aroma.

Using it as a deodorant is convenient and easy. There are different ways to do this, the simplest of which are:

1. Rub the freshly cut circles under your armpits or hold them briefly under your hands.
2. Use homemade lemon wipes - moisten a dry handkerchief with the juice and wipe the skin. As a “travelling” option, a cut lemon is suitable, which you can put in a waterproof bag and take with you - it won’t take up much space in your purse, but will relieve you from worrying about stale body odor. If necessary, you can always clean yourself up in the ladies' room: squeeze the juice onto a napkin and wipe the problem areas.

Lemon is not suitable as a deodorant for those who are allergic to it. If there are cuts and scratches on the body, citrus juice will cause a burning sensation.

Soda

Regular baking soda is famous for its low cost and wide range of uses, including for combating skin pathologies. Its beneficial effect on the dermis is explained by the fact that the product:

• cleans and disinfects;
• relieves inflammation and gives the skin a natural, healthy aroma.

Exists . Here are some of them:

• Rub the powder into the skin of your armpits with light movements;
• make compresses for the legs. To do this, dissolve a tablespoon of soda in a glass of hot water, soak clean socks in the mixture and put them on for an hour.

If after using the product the skin turns red, you should stop using it.

Soda for foot sweat and odor - folk remedies

Let's consider several folk recipes against sweating feet using additional folk remedies:

1. 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.
2. 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.

How to replace used deodorant?

You can solve the problem of sweating with an unpleasant odor using simple foods that can be found in any kitchen.

Lemon

Thanks to its bactericidal properties, lemon acts as an antiperspirant to destroy bacteria that cause unpleasant odor from sweat. The fruit dries the skin, reducing sweating, and saturates the body with vitamins. And what aroma will come from the body if you use a natural deodorant.

But let's remember some points:

• Do not use lemon on newly shaved armpits, otherwise irritation will occur;
• do not use lime instead of lemon, its effect is more aggressive;
• Do not use the product if you are allergic.

Eliminating sweat odor is easy with lemon. Just put the fruit slices in your armpits and hold them for a few minutes. You can sprinkle lemon juice on a dry cloth and wipe your skin with it.

Lemon and Soda - Options to Consider

Soda

Baking soda is an affordable substitute for deodorant found in every home. It kills bacteria, cleanses the skin, relieves inflammation, and eliminates bad odor.

Rub dry baking soda into your armpits and prepare folk remedies:

• mix one teaspoon of soda with a glass of water, wipe problem areas with the solution;
• Pour the soda solution into a container with a spray bottle and use it as a spray;
• mix soda with corn starch and drops of essential oil, pour the mixture into a bottle with a lid, store in a dry place;
• If your feet sweat, put on clean socks soaked in baking soda for at least an hour.

The disadvantage of the product is the short duration of action. To prolong the effect, apply baking soda to the armpits several times a day.

Apple vinegar

Apple cider vinegar contains many benefits, thanks to which it is used to treat diseases, in order to normalize sweating. You can use apple cider vinegar as a deodorant in the following ways:

• Dilute the vinegar halfway with water, soak a cotton pad in the solution, and wipe the problem areas with it. You need to be careful with the product, it can be irritating.
• If your feet are sweating, it is recommended to mix 5 liters of water with 250 ml of apple cider vinegar, dip your feet in the solution, and hold for 15-20 minutes. Carry out the procedure once every three days.
• Dilute 0.5 liters of vinegar with a glass of water, soak a cotton swab in the solution, apply it to problem areas for 15 minutes, and let the skin dry.

Vinegar has a characteristic pungent odor; it is better to do the procedure at night, after taking a shower.

Herbal decoction

Decoctions of medicinal herbs help normalize sweating, eliminate unpleasant odor, eliminate irritation and inflammation. Plants recommended for preparing decoctions:

• chamomile;
• Oak bark;
• walnut leaves;
• rosemary.

A deodorizing agent is a decoction of mint, which is used to wipe problem skin areas.

There are natural products that can be a replacement for deodorant. These include: Teymurov's paste, baby powder, alcohol tonics. An effective, safe deodorizing agent can be prepared from natural ingredients.

It's no secret that many of the products we use, be it personal hygiene items or cosmetics, contain far from harmless substances. So, having stumbled upon yet another “research by British scientists” on the Internet, I was horrified. It turned out that an allergy to a regular antiperspirant is far from the worst possible consequence of its use. In addition, a side effect is blockage of the sweat glands and disruption of the natural cleansing of the body. Add to this the destruction of the important female hormone estrogen, the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and the formation of tumors... On the other hand, giving up hygiene products is also not an option. But there must be some kind of alternative, right?

The search for a safe and effective personal hygiene product led me to an online store of eco-products, where I bought “crystal” deodorant. It does not block sweat ducts, does not contain aluminum, preservatives and parabens. Even allergy sufferers and pregnant women can use alum stone. An undoubted advantage for me personally is that it has absolutely no odor, which is so annoying in conventional deodorants. Another advantage of salt deodorant is that it will last for a long time. I bought mine last spring and, judging by how slowly it “melts,” it will definitely last another two years. True, you should use it carefully, since my friend during the same time simply broke three of these “crystals” by dropping them in the bathroom. Salt deodorants have already gained popularity due to their effectiveness, convenience and safety, but they are far from the only alternative to conventional antiperspirants. There are at least 5 more ways to combat sweating using available means. Which ones?

1. Essential oils

Lovers of everything homemade and natural can try making a deodorant based on essential oils, of course, provided that they are not allergic to them. To do this, first heat beeswax (1.5 tbsp), coconut oil (1 tbsp) and cocoa butter (0.5 tbsp) until liquid. A few drops of castor oil and ethers are added to the mixture - 15 drops each of thyme and rosemary, and 25 drops of lavender. The resulting mass is cooled and used as a regular deodorant.

You can do it easier by diluting sage and eucalyptus essential oils taken in equal quantities in a glass of water. All that remains is to wipe the dry armpits with the resulting solution.

2. Oak bark

Oak bark is used for cosmetic and medicinal purposes due to its high content of antiseptic and anti-inflammatory compounds. Its ability to normalize the functions of the sweat glands is also used in cases of increased sweating. Thus, baths with oak bark decoction reduce sweating of the feet and hands; they are also used to wipe the armpit area after taking a shower and use it throughout the day to prevent the appearance of an unpleasant odor. To prepare such a decoction, crushed bark in the amount of 5 tbsp. pour a liter of cold water, bring to a boil and boil in an enamel bowl under a lid over low heat for half an hour. After this, leave for another two hours, wrapping the pan in a towel. The finished broth is filtered, poured into a glass container and sent to the refrigerator, removing as needed.

3. Lemon

Bacteria that cause the unpleasant odor of sweat will retreat to the acids contained in lemon juice. This property of citrus has been noticed for a long time and was successfully used long before the advent of modern personal hygiene products. To eliminate “natural body odors,” lemon slices were held under the armpits for several minutes to ensure a feeling of cleanliness and freshness throughout the day. You can do it even simpler by wiping the clean, dry area of ​​your armpits with a tissue soaked in lemon juice. By the way, the same effect can be obtained using natural apple cider vinegar.

4. Baking soda

To neutralize germs, some also recommend using an aqueous solution of regular baking soda. Dilute a teaspoon of soda in a glass of boiled water and wipe the armpit area with the resulting mixture. You can also pour the solution into a container with a spray bottle and apply it as a spray. The disadvantage of this product is that its effect will not last for the whole day, and it will have to be applied every 5-6 hours. But no aluminum salts, which are considered the most dangerous elements in most antiperspirants. If desired, you can add a drop of your favorite essential oil to the soda solution. Baking soda can also be used in dry form, simply by dusting the skin of your armpits with it. An important point when using soda as a deodorant: it should not be used if the skin is damaged.

5. Teymurov’s pasta

Teymurov’s paste received many flattering reviews, although there were no less disputes about its absolute harmlessness. It contains components such as zinc oxide (which has an antiseptic effect), talc (for drying the skin) and boric acid. Thanks to these substances, Teymurov’s paste is considered an effective remedy for hyperhidrosis. The main controversy is caused by the content of lead and formaldehyde in it, albeit in small quantities.

What do you think about the above remedies?

By going to the portal site you will find out how to replace deodorant for armpits if it is missing or if you are hypersensitive. In summer, sweating increases. It is necessary to maintain hygiene - fresh sweat does not have a strong unpleasant odor. It appears after a few hours and is associated with the activity of bacteria. If you experience excessive sweating, you should undergo a medical examination - this may be a symptom of a disease. To avoid the appearance of an unpleasant odor of sweat and wet spots on clothes, use an antiperspirant that blocks the work of the sweat glands. It is highly effective, but during pregnancy and breastfeeding women are afraid to use products that contain aluminum salts, zinc, parabens, and other synthetic components.

• Crystal
• Lemon
• Talc
• Essential oils
• Baking soda.

As an alternative, use Crystal deodorant. It does not contain parabens or aromatic fragrances, so it is more suitable for people prone to allergic reactions. The basis of this deodorant is aluminum alum. They were formed as a result of the collapse of volcanic rocks. Depending on the manufacturing method, fused and solid deodorant crystals are distinguished. It is used for the armpits and body.

The peculiarity of crystal deodorant is that it has antibacterial properties, but does not suppress sweating. Suitable for those who are not embarrassed by wet circles on their clothes, have sensitive skin, and are prone to allergic reactions.

For legs and palms use boric alcohol. It slightly dries the skin and destroys bacteria.

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.