7 Natural Remedies for Underarm Odor Reviewed

Evaluating “Grandmother’s Remedies” for Underarm Odor: Do They Really Work?

I’ve specifically analyzed various “home remedies” often suggested online or in magazines as solutions for underarm odor caused by sweating.

Do they really work? Which ones? Are there better alternatives?

To answer these questions, I rely on three main sources:

My personal experience: I’ve had primary hyperhidrosis (the medical term for excessive sweating caused by genetics) since childhood.
Conversations with others who have hyperhidrosis, primarily through this website I created in 2012.
Extensive research in both English and French, including medical studies accessed through PubMed and Google Scholar (for those familiar with these platforms).

To summarize: while there are dozens of easy-to-try recipes with minimal risk of serious side effects, I remain skeptical about their ability to completely mask underarm odor—especially for those with excessive sweating or bromhidrosis (conditions causing very strong body odor).

Let’s take a closer look at the details. Feel free to share additional insights, differing opinions, questions, etc., in the comments!

💬 The comment section is there for you! Feel free to share your experiences, as they can be valuable to others.

♻️ Last update: 19 january 2025. Disclaimer: Amazon Affiliate Links. Written by Nelly Darbois, physical therapist and scientific writer (see here)

Summary

Which Home Remedies Are Often Suggested for Sweaty Underarms?

On forums, social media, magazines, or websites, you’ll almost always find articles dedicated to home remedies and natural recipes for combating sweat or bad odors (whether excessive or normal).

The issue: These contents are often written by people who have never tested these solutions on themselves or thoroughly examined their relevance and effectiveness.

As a teenager, I tried some of these remedies for both my armpits and hands. In my case, I always found the simplest solution was washing my armpits with Marseille soap several times a day.

Here’s a complete selection of grandmother’s remedies for sweating and how to use them.

Feel free to share your preferred choice or your own experiences in the comments!

⚡️ Apple Cider Vinegar

How to use it: Dilute one part apple cider vinegar with two parts water. Apply this solution to your armpits using a cotton ball or clean cloth. Let it air dry, then rinse with lukewarm water. Repeat once a day, preferably in the evening.

Why it’s thought to work: Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial and antifungal properties that may help kill the bacteria responsible for bad odors. It can also help restore the skin’s natural pH balance.

Where to buy: Available in most supermarkets and natural food stores. Check on Amazon.

💧 Baking Soda

How to use it: Mix a small amount of baking soda with water to form a paste. Apply this paste to clean, dry armpits, leave it on for a few minutes, and then rinse with lukewarm water. Use once or twice a week.

Why it’s thought to work: Baking soda is a natural odor neutralizer and can help absorb excess moisture, reducing conditions that promote bacterial growth.

Where to buy: Available in grocery stores, pharmacies, and online shops.

🌿 Green Tea

How to use it: Brew green tea and let it cool. Apply the tea to your armpits using a cotton ball or clean cloth. Let it air dry. Use once a day.

Why it’s thought to work: Green tea contains tannins with antibacterial and astringent properties. It may help reduce odor-causing bacteria while tightening skin pores.

Where to buy: Available in natural food stores and supermarkets.

🍋 Lemon Juice

How to use it: Apply fresh lemon juice to your armpits using a cotton ball or clean cloth. Let it air dry. Repeat once a day.

Why it’s thought to work: Lemon juice has antibacterial properties that may help kill odor-causing bacteria. Its acidity can also help regulate the skin’s pH.

Where to buy: Available at grocery stores and local markets.

🥥 Coconut Oil

How to use it: Apply a small amount of coconut oil to clean, dry armpits. Massage gently until fully absorbed. Use once a day.

Why it’s thought to work: Coconut oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties that may help reduce odor-causing bacteria. Additionally, it hydrates the skin, reducing irritation and odors.

Where to buy: Available in grocery stores and natural food shops.

🍵 Sage Leaves

How to use it: Boil a few sage leaves in water for a few minutes to prepare an infusion. Let it cool, then apply it to your armpits using a cotton ball or clean cloth. Let it air dry. Use once a day.

Why it’s thought to work: Sage contains natural compounds with antibacterial and astringent properties, helping fight odor-causing bacteria and tighten skin pores.

Where to buy: Available in natural food stores and herbal shops.

🌸 Witch Hazel

How to use it: Apply witch hazel to your armpits using a cotton ball or clean cloth. Let it air dry. Use once a day.

Why it’s thought to work: Witch hazel has astringent and antibacterial properties that may help reduce odor-causing bacteria and tighten skin pores.

Where to buy: Available in pharmacies and natural food stores. Check on Amazon.

What Are the Limitations of Natural Remedies for Excessive Sweating?

I’ve been engaging with people affected by hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) for 12 years.

From my experience, natural remedies are often insufficient to eliminate sweat odors in cases of hyperhidrosis, which affects about 3% of the population in France.

Here’s what may explain their lack of effectiveness.

Excessive Sweat Production

In severe cases of hyperhidrosis, the amount of sweat can overwhelm the capacity of natural remedies to manage odors. The sheer volume of sweat can make it difficult to achieve effective control.

Low Concentration of Active Ingredients

Many home remedies have active ingredient concentrations that are too low to have a significant impact.

For example, while apple cider vinegar has antibacterial properties, its concentration in a diluted solution may not be strong enough to combat sweat or odors effectively.

Limited Absorption Through the Skin

Even if an active substance is present in a remedy, it may not be absorbed significantly through the skin to address the root cause.

The skin’s barrier is designed to protect the body from external substances, which can limit the absorption of certain compounds—especially if they aren’t paired with agents that facilitate penetration.

Alternatives to Medications or Surgery for Underarm Odors

Like many of you, I also prefer non-medicinal or non-surgical solutions whenever possible for managing health or hygiene issues.

That’s partly why I decided to avoid treatments specifically for sweating.

I don’t use home remedies, as I’m skeptical about their effectiveness. However, here are some strategies I’ve implemented at various points in my life (and still do) to minimize the impact of sweating without medication or surgery:

Wear Appropriate Clothing and Undergarments

Choose materials, shapes, and colors that reduce visible sweat marks, trap less odor, dry quickly, or keep you cooler.

For example, you might consider clothing designed to mask sweat stains, such as those by the brand Sutran (available on Amazon).

Stay in Cool, Well-Ventilated Environments

Always create airflow in your car or indoors by opening windows, using fans, or turning on air conditioning.

Moving air promotes quicker evaporation by dissipating the moist air layer around your skin. This allows sweat to evaporate more efficiently, helping to lower your body temperature.

Limit Triggers

Avoid triggers like spicy foods, alcohol, crowded spaces, and emotional stressors. Over time, you’ll learn to identify what affects you most.

For more insights, you can explore the website of the Observatoire de l’Hyperhidrose, where you’ll find testimonials from others dealing with excessive sweating, as well as suggestions for less “natural” treatments like antiperspirants, underarm iontophoresis, and more.

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Do you have any comments or questions? Your comments are welcome 🙂 !

7 Natural Remedies for Underarm Odor Reviewed