Pit Sweat Be Gone

So now you know why our beautiful bodies sweat. But, there’s a time and a place for everything. Come interviews and public speeches, unless you’re willing to inject Botox into your armpits (like some summer brides are doing - ewww!) or have nerve-severing surgery on your sweat glands (like some with hyperhidrosis do - ouch!), we’re guessing you’d like an au naturale way to reduce sweat. Yes? If so, read on.

Shave: Unless you want to look like you have Adam Duritz in a headlock when wearing your favorite tank, shave your pits regularly as armpit hair can trap odor like spiders in a web.

Snack: Avoid spicy foods like curry, garlic, and onions - they can actually cause you to sweat more. (Think Reuben Feffer in Along Came Polly. Grody.)

Sport: Wear natural-fiber clothes like cotton or silk.

Shield: When all else fails, there’s always disposable underarm dress shields. Dorky? Yes. But so are pit stains.

Stress: Oh, and reduce stress in your life (as if that were easy!).

Stop Stink: Use the right deodorant. Some contain aluminum chloride (bad). Others contain ingredients like sage and lemon (good). Try Weleda’s all-natural deodorant, which comes in a recyclable bottle in scents citrus, sage, or wild rose. Or try Burt’s Bees herbal, spray-on deodorant, a blend of sage, lemon, and lavender.

Sage: A study from Isfahan University of Medical Sciences found that tea with sage, a natural antioxidant known for its healing and astringent qualities, helps reduce excessive sweating when applied to the skin. Try it: Mix three tablespoons of dried sage leaves with 8.5 oz of room-temperature water. Let steep for 1-2 days, then rub into underarms or other problem areas. (Note: Do NOT drink the tea.)

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