Is Sweating Good for You?

Is sweating good for you? 

After a high-impact workout, a night full of hot flushes, or even a big meal, you may decide it definitely isn’t and constantly keep reaching for your natural deodorant… but sweating does have some benefits. 

In this blog, our experts share the reasons why sweating is good for you, myths about sweating, and how to manage your sweat levels.

Is sweating good for you?

Yes - sweating is good for you! It is an extremely important bodily function that is essential to our health. You have sweat glands all over your body that work to cool down your body and keep your body temperature at a healthy level. 

Saying that, sweating also makes you lose water so it’s important to rehydrate yourself after heavy periods of sweating. This way, you should avoid the consequences of dehydration and reap the benefits of sweating. 

The benefits of sweating

Sure, sweating is good for you in order to keep your body temperature regulated, but why else is sweating good for you?

Reduce blemishes

Sweating opens up your pores and allows any unwanted bacteria to leave your body rather than building up on your body leading to spots. 

Boosts endorphins

It’s no secret that when we exercise, our body releases endorphins that make us feel better. Therefore, although you may not appreciate being all sweaty, you will feel your mood lift from your workout. 

Glowing skin

Sweating boosts your circulation which gets blood to the top of the skin. This leaves you with a healthy glow. 

Improves immune system

A natural antibiotic named Dermcidin has been found in sweat. It helps the immune system fight off any bacteria or viruses and prevents you from getting ill. 

What is sweat?

Sweat, also known as perspiration, is mainly water that also has small amounts of:

• Salts
• Proteins
• Oils

That’s why sweat tastes salty! It’s also important to note that sweat is a clearless and odourless liquid. 

We know what you’re thinking: But what about that unwanted smell?

Well, it’s actually when perspiration is mixed with bacteria (potentially trapped in armpit hair) that causes unwanted body odour. 

What are the causes of sweat?

A body’s average temperature is 36-38 degrees Celsius - although this can vary from person to person. If you get too hot, your brain tells your body to produce more sweat to cool you down. 

You have sweat glands all over your body so although you may have sweat patches under your arms, depending on how sweaty you are you may also have them on your back or chest as well as having clammy hands or feet. 

Fun fact: your feet have the most sweat glands on your body!

There are a number of reasons why you would sweat. 

Exercising

Exerting your body during exercise gets your heart rate and body temperature up so it’s only natural that your body produces sweat to cool you down again. 

Hot weather

It’s no secret that when it’s warmer outside, you are more likely to heat up and sweat more than usual. However, the same can also be said when the heating is on during the winter months!

Stress and anxiety

Ever been super anxious and felt like the room was on fire? That’s because when you feel anxious, nervous, or stressed, your stress hormones trigger your ‘fight or flight’ response which makes you sweat to cool your body down and feel calmer. 

Spicy food

Spicy foods like curries or chilli-based meals can cause your overall body temperature to increase which leads to an increase of sweat. 

Illness

Depending on how ill you are, you may experience a fever. This is because your body is fighting a virus or infection causing you to sweat more. 

Menopause

According to a survey, 86% of menopausal women experience hot flushes and 78% have night sweats. This is caused by hormonal changes that may make you feel too hot.

How to manage sweat levels

Sure everybody sweats, but how we sweat is a personal choice. Here are some ways that you can manage your sweat levels.

Use a high-performing antiperspirant

Antiperspirant is one of the easiest ways to keep sweat at bay. However, it’s important to opt for a high-performing antiperspirant to ensure it works effectively despite your daily activities. 

Our antiperspirant uses natural ingredients to provide a high-performing formula that has been dermatologically tested to be used on even the most sensitive skin. 

A common misconception about antiperspirant is that if you wear it, it stops your whole body from sweating. This simply isn’t true. If you apply antiperspirant to your armpits, your body will just release your sweat somewhere else (often somewhere less visible and much less smelly.) Wearing an antiperspirant doesn’t impact your body's ability to cool down for exactly this reason. 

Choose breathable materials

Clothing made from breathable fabrics can help manage sweat levels. These include:

• Linen
• Cotton
• Wool

As they allow the moisture to more easily move through the fabric, it can reduce the build-up of sweat. 

Try and keep cool

Sometimes this is easier said than done, but making sure you keep cool can prevent sweating. Simple ways to do this include staying hydrated, using a fan if too warm, and dressing appropriately for the weather. 

Myths about sweating

One of the biggest myths about sweating is that you can ‘sweat out your toxins’. Sweat is predominantly made up of water - sure, there’s some salt and other chemicals - but not enough to allow you to detox. 

This job is actually down to your kidneys and liver which work to rid the body of toxins. 

If you do want to do your bit to reduce the number of toxins in your body, you should priortise whole, nutrient-dense foods that have nutritional benefits.

Could you sweat too much?

We’ve established that sweating is good for you, but there are some conditions that could lead to you sweating excessively or maybe even not sweating enough!

Sweat-related conditions

Hyperhidrosis - This is where you sweat more than required to keep your body temperature regulated. Hyperhidrosis can be caused by a number of factors such as low blood sugar, an unregulated nervous system, or thyroid issues. 

Anhidrosis - On the other hand, anhidrosis is when you do not sweat enough - this can lead to serious overheating. This condition can be caused by dehydration, skin and nerve disorders, or burns. 

Sweating is good for you, but how you sweat is your choice

Now you know sweating is good for you, you can rest assured that the occasional sweat patch isn’t bad… just slightly embarrassing!

Our antiperspirant has a natural base and has been formulated with top ingredients to be high-performing so you can be supported no matter the activity. 

We offer two formulations as we understand that every body and every day is different and sweat is a personal choice. So, if antiperspirant is not for you, you can choose our natural deodorant instead. 

If you can’t pick between the two, there are always our deodorant bundle boxes that let you try both products so you can find the right option for your needs. 

Our products are fully made in the UK, vegan, cruelty-free, dermatologically tested, and produce no waste - what else could you want?!

Don’t forget if you subscribe to Make Waves, you can save 15% on every order!

Shop our award-winning natural antiperspirant or deodorant today.

Don’t sweat it… or maybe do?