It can be difficult to find an antiperspirant that works for you. Perhaps the ones you’ve tried don’t keep you dry, or maybe they cause skin irritation. Or you might be worried about the safety of certain ingredients. Either way, you still want to get your sweating under control.

Unfortunately, there’s a lot of misinformation out there about what will stop sweating and what won’t, as well as what’s safe for you to use as remedies for sweat.

As a hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) sufferer myself, I went through dozens of hyperhidrosis treatments, including too-good-to-be-true natural remedies for hyperhidrosis — plus the painful and expensive procedure of having botox injections in my underarms, which only gave temporary results.

After trying everything without much success, I developed Duradry, a simple 3-step system that has helped 97% of our customers achieve full dryness within one week.

At the end of this post, I’ll explain our 3-step system in more detail. But first, I want to spend some time discussing 5 of the most popular home remedies you may have heard of, and I’ll dig into why they’re not the solutions the internet wants you to think they are.

5 Home Remedies for Sweating Underarms That Aren’t What They Claim

There are a lot of home remedies out there for body odor and excess sweating. But a little research clearly shows that there are no effective hyperhidrosis natural cures. These home remedies will do nothing to help keep your sweaty armpits dry, and can even leave you with new problems.

Don’t believe me? Let’s take a look at some of the most popular home sweating remedies.

1. Rub Potato Slices on Your Skin Every Morning

While this may sound crazy, the idea of putting potato slices on your skin as a sweaty armpits remedy is not completely pulled out of thin air — though it’s not effective or practical. (Who has slices of potatoes ready to go in their bathroom?)

Potatoes are rich in potassium, so the idea behind this is that the potassium in the potato will transfer to your skin and help keep you dry.

We did some research into the origins of this myth, and we believe that it comes down to the antiperspirant qualities of potassium alum. Normally used as an astringent (a chemical that constricts body tissue), potassium alum is a naturally occurring form of aluminum salt that’s sometimes compared to aluminum chloride (which is the active ingredient we use in Duradry).

Remedy Rating: Impractical, Misguided, and Ineffective

The problem with potassium alum is its molecules are too large to be absorbed by the skin. They are useful for trapping body odor as you sweat (in fact, the Duradry Body Deo Spray contains potassium alum) but, due to the fact that it can’t penetrate the pores, these molecules won’t prevent excessive sweating from happening. You’ll need an antiperspirant that is specially formulated to treat hyperhidrosis.

Simply put, if you’re looking at slices of russet potatoes in the kitchen to solve your body odor issues, you’re better off using a real deodorant containing potassium alum. And if you’re considering potatoes as home remedies for armpit sweating, you’re better off using a robust antiperspirant.

2. Drink a Glass of Tomato Juice a Day

Remedy Rating: Misguided and Ineffective

First, smaller pores don’t necessarily mean less sweat, as much as it means smaller droplets of sweat. If you’re sweating out of your sweat glands, that sweat has to end up somewhere. And second, if you’re an excessive sweater, internal body temperature doesn’t have any impact on your condition. In fact, you may often sweat heavily even when you’re not hot.

In short, we couldn’t find anything that supports the claim that drinking a glass of tomato juice has any bearing on your sweat levels and is, therefore, as ineffective as the other hyperhidrosis natural treatments.

Instead: Drink More Water and Healthy Drinks

Drinking water helps you stay hydrated. That keeps your body temperature lower and reduces your body’s need to thermoregulate by perspiration.

While there are no proven herbal remedies for hyperhidrosis, healthy drinks like chamomile tea or decaffeinated green tea can help you feel more calm, which results in less stress sweat.

3. Use Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate)

Baking soda (officially known as sodium bicarbonate) is often found in natural antiperspirant-deodorants because it can absorb some sweat and trap odors. It can be semi-effective to treat normal levels of underarm sweating (it doesn’t have anywhere near enough strength for heavy sweating) but, while it’s “natural,” it’s not without risks.

Remedy Rating: Misguided

As it does not get deep into your skin, using baking soda for underarms doesn't help people who are suffering from heavy sweating. Perspiration originates from sweat glands, and you need an aluminum compound that can plug that duct when it comes into contact with perspiration. Baking soda simply doesn’t cut it.

If you have sensitive skin, it would be best not to try using baking soda. Armpits side effects are likely to occur, such as redness and itchiness.

Side Effects of Baking Soda

Baking soda often leads to dry, itchy, and scaly skin. This is because it disrupts “good” bacteria on your skin — which is there to fight off breakouts, dry skin, and infection.

Baking Soda being harsh on the skin isn’t an industry secret — sometimes companies say this skin reaction is part of a “detox” by moving away from aluminum-based compounds to sodium bicarbonate, whereas other brands make “sensitive skin” deodorants that are baking soda free.

But here’s what’s not up for debate: baking soda can help in reducing sweaty armpits and sometimes treat a normal sweating condition, but it does come with an increased risk of baking soda armpits side effects like skin irritation.

4. Cut Out Caffeine

Cutting caffeine out of your daily diet may be the right choice for you, but it’s not necessarily a sure-fire way to stop your underarm sweating.

There was a study on a group of ballet dancers to see if ingesting 400mg of caffeine (daily maximum recommended by the FDA) before a recital led to an increase in sweating. It did not.

Remedy Rating: Misguided

It’s easy to see the logic, though. Caffeine excites the nervous system, it can lead to higher levels of anxiety and can make you exert more energy. All of these variables can lead to sweating (click here to read more on the relationship between excessive sweating and anxiety).

But remember that when we’re discussing a sweating problem — i.e., excessive sweat that can occur even when you’re just watching TV — cutting out caffeine may help, but it won’t keep you dry.

Instead: Avoid Drinking and Smoking

Like caffeine, alcohol widens your blood vessels and increases your heart rate, which can lead to perspiration. If you are looking for excessive underarm sweating home remedies, it is probably best to avoid alcohol, especially during social gatherings.

Nicotine also raises your body temperature and makes your heart beat faster. Giving up smoking is one of the healthiest remedies for underarm sweat. Not only does it help with excess sweating, but it also has many more health benefits!

5. Eat Grapes

There’s a lot of information online about foods you should eat (and the ones you should avoid, like spicy foods) to help with your sweaty armpits. For example, some sites recommend that you eat a handful of grapes every day to curb your sweating problem.

Since grapes are water-dense fruits and increasing water intake is recommended for heavy sweaters, it is said that eating a handful of grapes will help you stay hydrated. It is also a good source of fiber thereby easing digestion, putting less stress on your body, and can count as one of the good remedies for sweating armpits.

Remedy Rating: Ineffective

However, this is actually not effective because it doesn’t treat sweating at the source — i.e., your sweat glands which are the source of excessive sweating. No matter how many grapes (or watermelon, or kiwis, or pears) you eat, that doesn’t change the fact that you'll be producing sweat.

You might have already spotted the pattern here. The home remedies above (and elsewhere online) don’t do anything to actively work against sweat as your body creates it. To understand how sweating works, and what ingredients are required to stop it, keep reading.

Instead: Adjust Your Diet

The fact is, there are no foods that are proven to be natural remedies for excessive sweating. Underarms and other parts of your body will continue to sweat heavily unless you make some changes to your diet. One of the things you can do is avoid the foods that are known to make you sweat, such as:

• Spicy foods: Capsaicin not only makes your mouth burn. It tricks your body into thinking it is warmer.
• Salty foods: Your body gets rid of excess sodium through urine and sweat.
• Fatty foods: Fatty processed foods make your digestive system work harder, which makes you sweat.
• Onions and garlic: Aromatic bulbs like onions and garlic can give your sweat an unpleasant odor.

A healthy diet with lots of vegetables and lean proteins will not stop excess sweating, but many people find that it helps them manage their hyperhidrosis.

More to Consider Trying If You Still Believe in Home Remedies!

Apple Cider Vinegar

You hear a lot about apple cider vinegar’s health benefits on the Internet and you wonder if there is an apple cider vinegar excessive sweating cure. In a way, yes, there is.

While apple cider vinegar won’t get rid of the problem altogether, it may help you with some hyperhidrosis issues. Vinegar is a natural astringent that closes pores, which can help with excessive sweating if you apply it to underarm skin. Apple cider vinegar also has antibacterial properties that can help remove odor-causing bacteria.

Since apple cider vinegar is cheap and available everywhere, it may be worth trying to find out if it works for you.

Lemon Juice

Lemon for underarms? Many swear that rubbing a lemon slice under your arms every day can replace your regular deodorant. While it will not be sufficient for those with hyperhidrosis, the citric acid in lemon has both antibacterial and astringent properties that can help with body odor. Lemon oil also has a subtle but pleasant natural fragrance.

Be careful rubbing lemons on freshly shaved armpits, as the lemon juice can irritate the skin and lead to rashes or discomfort.

Tea Tree Oil

One of the best-smelling home remedies for deodorant is tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is high in perspiration-fighting natural astringents and can serve as a natural deodorant. Apply a few drops directly to your underarms about 10 minutes after getting out of the shower. The tea tree oil forms a fine film on your underarms and can reduce perspiration within a few days of regular use.

A little tea tree oil goes a long way. If a couple of drops do not sufficiently help your excessive sweating, adding more will only irritate your skin.

Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is readily available over the counter, and is sold as a natural astringent, aftershave lotion, and cleanser. It is rich in tannic acids and astringents, and is particularly effective at alleviating facial sweating. You can apply witch hazel extract or cold witch hazel tea directly to your face and armpits in the morning and evening.

While it is definitely not a cure for hyperhidrosis, witch hazel is one of the most effective home remedies for deodorant, so it can help you to feel fresher and help with body odor.

Cornstarch Paste

One of the most popular home remedies for armpit sweating, cornstarch paste acts as a natural deodorant to decrease sweat and odor.

Mix equal parts cornstarch and baking soda. Add the cornstarch and baking soda to liquified coconut oil until it creates a thick paste, or simply pat the powder under your arms.

Some people find that baking soda irritates their armpits. If that is the case for you, reduce the proportion of baking soda. And while cornstarch paste may be sufficient for most people, it may not be enough for people dealing with hyperhidrosis.

Salt Scrub

Salt absorbs moisture, blocks your pores, and keeps your skin dry. Keep some rock salt or sea salt on hand and rub down sweaty areas when they become a problem. You can also mix water with lots of salt, then wash down your sweaty armpits with brine.

One of the best home remedies for underarm sweat is a mix of salt and lemon juice. Combine equal parts lemon juice and rock salt for a pleasant-smelling scrub that will cleanse and exfoliate your armpits while getting rid of odor-causing bacteria.

Why Excessive Sweaters Need Aluminum-Based Antiperspirants

Excessive sweating is a medical condition, and while it can often occur on the hands, feet, forehead, and lower back, it’s more commonly concentrated in the underarms.

The only FDA-approved ingredients (read: safe and proven) for topical over-the-counter antiperspirants are aluminum-based compounds. When these aluminum compounds are applied to the skin, they seep into the sweat ducts. And when you start to perspire, the perspiration causes a chemical reaction — creating a plug, or blocker, that fills your pores and helps in preventing sweating armpits.

That’s how all antiperspirants work, but only some of them are strong enough to stop excessive sweating. Antiperspirants vary in terms of the specific aluminum compound used, the level of concentration, method of application to skin, and what other ingredients are added to keep your underarms dry — without leading to skin irritation.

Introducing Duradry’s 3-Step System — an Effective Remedy for Underarm Sweating

Duradry’s simple 3-step system contains a strong antiperspirant you apply 2 to 3 times a week before bed, a body wash that makes sure your underarms are clean, and a daily antiperspirant-deodorant that helps you keep you dry all day. It's an effective safe remedy and a good alternative for natural remedies for hyperhidrosis.

Note: All our products are cruelty-free, vegan-friendly, and full of natural ingredients.

Step One: Apply Duradry Sweat Minimizing Gel Before Bed

Duradry Sweat Minimizing Gel is an unscented gel antiperspirant that can be easily applied to your underarms before you go to bed. Because it’s a gel, it’s easy to cover the whole affected area without missing a spot. 

You only need to use Duradry Sweat Minimizing Gel 2-3 a week for the best results.

It contains Aluminum Chloride as the active ingredient (which research shows as the best Aluminum compound to stop sweat) to form the most effective and safest concentration.

Step Two: Wash Your Underarms with Duradry Wash

Antiperspirants work by getting beneath your skin’s surface, and this means they can’t do their job right if your underarms are clogged with oils and residues.

Duradry Wash (packed full of natural vitamins) thoroughly cleans your skin to prepare it for your antiperspirant.

Step Three: Use Duradry Antiperspirant Deodorant Stick at the Start of Your Day

Duradry Antiperspirant Deodorant Stick is an extra-strength daily antiperspirant-deodorant. It has a pleasant, gender-neutral scent, so you can stay dry and feel fresh throughout the day.

Our 3-step system can be purchased from our online store. Each purchase is delivered directly to your home (in discreet packaging) and comes with a 100-night money-back guarantee.

Final Thoughts: How to Actually Stop Underarm Sweat

In this post, we covered 5 different home remedies and discussed why they aren’t what they’re cracked up to be. And actually, we’re just scratching the surface because there are dozens (if not hundreds) of other home remedies you can find online. These include things like apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and cornstarch as mentioned above. They are introduced everywhere as sweaty armpits remedy alternatives. Since they're easily available and there're no side effects, you may consider trying some of them to see if they are really effective in controlling excessive sweating.

But before you start rubbing potato slices on your skin or buying gallons of tomato juice, take a look at how each home remedy is supposed to work. Is it in any way actively working to plug your pores and reduce the flow of excessive underarm sweat?

According to the FDA, the only ingredients that can do this job effectively (and safely) in topical antiperspirants are aluminum-based compounds. At Duradry, we use the best science, the purest ingredients, and supportive natural ingredients to make sure you stay dry every day.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Stop Sweating Underarms Naturally?

While there are no natural cures for hyperhidrosis, there are a number of remedies that can reduce body odor and keep you feeling fresher naturally. Witch hazel is particularly good for stopping face sweating, and tea tree oil can keep you smelling fresher, thanks to its astringent and antibacterial properties. But if you suffer from excessive sweating, you will probably need to rely on sweat-stopping antiperspirants or stronger treatments.

How to Get Rid of Underarm Odor Permanently?

Many underarm smell remover home remedies online are said to be effective at controlling excessive swelling and odor but none of them are permanent. There are two medical treatments that have been proven to stop underarm sweating permanently. miraDry uses microwave energy to destroy sweat glands permanently, while endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) cuts the nerves that trigger your sweat glands. These treatments cost thousands of dollars and are intended as a last resort for people whose excessive sweating does not respond to other treatments.

What Is the Best Treatment for Underarm Sweating?

Duradry 's 3-step system is the most effective sweaty armpits remedy available over the counter. Duradry was designed by a hyperhidrosis patient to alleviate even the heaviest sweating. Our 3-step system starts your day with Duradry Wash, an antibacterial skin cleanser and deodorizing body wash. Apply prescription-strength Duradry Antiperspirant Deodorant Stick and you’re ready to greet your day. At night, use Duradry Sweat Minimizing Gel, which uses the same active ingredient as Drysol.

What Foods Reduce Hyperhidrosis?

Although there are no foods that will stop excess sweating, eating a healthier diet reduces pressure on your body and can lead to less sweating.

If you want to know how to stop sweaty armpits by eating better, some foods that reduce sweat include:

• Water-dense fruits and vegetables like watermelon, strawberries, cucumber, and celery can help keep your body hydrated, which limits sweating.
• Milk, cheese, and yogurt give your body calcium, a mineral your body uses to regulate its temperature without perspiring.
• Almond, spinach, and soy are excellent sources of magnesium, another mineral used for temperature regulation.

What Vitamins Should I Take for Excessive Sweating?

When it comes to hyperhidrosis natural treatments, the most valuable supplements for excessive sweating caused by anxiety or stress are:

• L-Theanine: An amino acid found in tea, L-Theanine can help reduce the stress that leads to anxiety and sweating.
• Vitamin B: B vitamins promote healthy nerve function and are needed to produce the brain’s mood-regulating chemicals.
• Magnesium: Multivitamins containing magnesium, calcium, and zinc may reduce the symptoms of anxiety and stress.