Excessive sweating in the heat? Fear not, funky friends — relief is on the way. (Getty)
Success may be 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration, but that's less the case when the perspiring in question comes with a serious stank. With so much of the country currently enduring an oppressive heat wave, and with temperatures set to hit over 100 degrees in multiple states, we're all thinking a lot about the best ways to stay cool and fresh. Of course, the most effective strategy for maintaining one's aromatic chill is to shelter in air-conditioned rooms (or at least plant yourself in front of a powerful fan). But even if you are lucky enough to live that AC life, modern adulthood requires engaging with the outside — for work, for errands, just to clean up the darn lawn — and once that heat hits your skin, you can expect to become moist, if not downright ripe.
Sweating is the body's way of regulating abundant heat, and if you're one of the millions of Americans who suffer from conditions like hyperhidrosis, this wetness can be constant, excessive and, at least initially, feel impossible to control. But never fear, my funky friends. Heavy sweaters across the internet (including organizations like the International Hyperhidrosis Society, or IHS) have sorted out the precise tools you need to feel dry and smell fresh in even the most intense summer swelter. While these products — plus a few common-sense, dermatologist-approved solutions — may not completely eradicate a sweaty glow, they will help to keep the worst olfactory offenses at bay.
Shower frequently. The first, most no-duh thing you're going to want to do is bathe — often. Frequent showers wash away the bacteria that, combined with sweat, cause odor in the first place. "I recommend showering with cooler or even cold water to keep the skin cool and promote better blood flow," says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dara Spearman. And while you're getting clean, consider shaving your armpit hair, which can store excess bacteria and create a pungent scent.
Wear loose-fitting clothing made of breathable fabrics like cotton or silk. "To keep cool and avoid sweat-induced skin irritation in the hot summer months, you should wear loose-fitting clothing made with natural fibers whenever you can," says Los Angeles-based cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Ava Shamban. "And, if you're exercising in nylon and spandex, you should remove your workout clothes as quickly as possible and shower to keep skin from developing rashes and infections."
Try a variety of deodorants. The IHS recommends an array of potent deodorants and antiperspirants to get you through the hottest days. Look for a clinical-strength formula that contains more powerful ingredients in higher concentrations than regular versions, helping to block sweat glands and keep you both dry and smell-free. For places on your body like your feet, back, underboobs and groin area, cream deodorants or deodorant wipes can safely — and in some cases, gently — suppress the stink.
Carpe is a trusted brand in the IHS community and, with nearly 8,000 5-star Amazon ratings, this clinical-strength antiperspirant — available in eight scents — is among the brand's highest-reviewed products.
"Works SO well," raved one comfortably dry customer. "I have always been someone who sweats a lot, and I constantly worry that I smell. This is probably one of the only deodorants that I’ve felt confident wearing. The smell isn’t overpowering, and the lotion texture dries very quickly. I don’t notice that it transfers to fabric easily either. I tried to use another deodorant when I ran out and quickly repurchased [this instead]— definitely worth the $$$$."
Lume's TikTok-famous, full-body deodorant cream hits the sweet spot of providing serious sweat protection while remaining gentle enough for most skin types. This popular product is aluminum-free and long-lasting — up to 72 hours, according to the brand. There's an unscented version as well as eight appealing scents. It's so beloved that it's racked up tens of thousands of five-star reviews.
"Makes my armpits smell delightful!" rhapsodized one superfan. "I like it because I never get skin irritation from it, and it dries pretty quickly, so I don’t have to wait forever to get dressed. Does it last 72 hours? I truly have no idea because when I’m a sweaty mess, I don’t wait that long in between showers to find out. One application after showering generally lasts all day with no oniony pit smell, which is better than regular deodorants that irritate my skin, so I’ll take it. The only downside for me is the price."
One pack of these potent, quick-drying, dermatologist-recommended wipes is meant to provide a full month of sweat protection, and users say they really work.
"Super effective," wrote a satisfied five-star reviewer. "These things are better than any antiperspirant I have ever used (and I do not use cheap stuff). I got them for my face and hands when I play racquetball, and they work amazingly well. They help my grip on my racquet and keep my safety goggles from slipping ... Now I also use them for the back of my neck, my chest [and] under my arms and breasts."
The antiperspirant formula is vegan, free of harsh chemicals and can be used on the feet, back, underarms, chest and groin, with one caveat: Some say the wipes can be irritating in sensitive areas with delicate skin.
Another IHS pick, these undershirts feature the only patented, clinical-grade, moisture-wicking fabric on the market. They also contain discreet, built-in armpit pads for extra sweat and odor absorption. Specifically made to wear during big, perspirant-inducing events like job interviews, weddings and public speeches, they're also ideal for pretty much any event during a major heat wave.
Best of all, they don't require special care: You launder these shirts like you would normal clothes, without losing any of their magic powers in the wash.
I own one of these moisture-wicking rayon shirts, and it's among the most comfortable tees I've worn. It's great as a layering piece for more formal situations (and totally keeps your blazers from getting stinky) but it also looks cute with skirts or linen pants on its own. The underarm pads are soft and feel good against your skin, but the 5% spandex in the fabric is the secret star here. It makes for a fitted shape that's even kind of sexy, a word I never thought I'd use to describe a garment made to soak up my sweat.
I have yet to meet a woman who enjoys embarrassing (though super common!) underboob sweat, which can ruin not only an outfit, but your entire mood. Fortunately for us mammary-having folks, there's a solution to this particular body-heat woe.
These self-adhesive, machine-washable cotton pads slide right underneath your bra, creating a sweat shield between your skin and clothes.
"This makes my bras more comfortable to wear!" raved a happy fan. "The best part is that it wicks sweat away from my body so I stay cooler and my breasts aren't soaked, sweaty and rashy by the end of a long, hot day. I imagine this may help my bras wear longer too, since it's keeping them cleaner."
Clammy five-star reviewers call these self-adhesive pads a "lifesaver" for absorbing excess sweat and protecting shirts, suit jackets and even more creative spots like the inside of hats and bras. They're a breeze to stick onto your clothes, and users say a single pair soaks up sweat and bad smells for up to six hours.
"This works!" exclaimed one cool customer. "I put it on my shirt and it doesn’t come off unless I take it off. I feel secure and confident wearing this. I sweat really bad under my arms and with this I didn’t have any worries."
Wear a moisture-wicking underlayer. After deodorant, sweatproof undershirts are the best line of defense against BO. They work to keep sweat off your skin, which means you'll feel less swampy and the bacteria in your pits won't have time to stew.
When all else fails, call in the reinforcements. Look, no one wants to arrive anywhere fully and stench-ily flop-sweated, looking like a debate-stage Richard Nixon or Albert Brooks in Broadcast News. If your deodorant just isn't keeping up, or your sweat is somehow still spilling out of your moisture-wicking tops, these extra-protection pads will for sure soak up the slack.
If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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