Ever feel like you’re constantly battling sweat, even with antiperspirant on your side?
You’re not alone! Many of us raise our hands (or should we say, damp towels?) in solidarity.
But don’t worry, there’s a reason for this, and more importantly, there are solutions!
In this post, I’ll shed some light on why you still sweat after using an antiperspirant and give you some tips to stay dry!
You’re Using It The Wrong Way!
The biggest reason your antiperspirant lets you down is how you use it.
We all rush in the mornings, right? Shower, quick dry, antiperspirant on, dress and out the door! But the thing is antiperspirants need time to work its magic.
It won’t work if you apply in the morning.
It’s just going to get rinsed away as soon as you start sweating!
Plus, applying antiperspirant on wet skin can significantly reduce its effectiveness.
Also Read: Sweating After Shower
What You Should Do?
You must apply the antiperspirant at night so that it gets enough time to absorb into the skin.
Take a cool shower and let your skin dry. Then, use a hair dryer on a cool setting and use it on your underarms and all the other places you sweat to make sure they are completely dry.
After that, go ahead and apply the antiperspirant.
Finish off by blow-drying everywhere again for a few seconds.
Do this for a couple of weeks and I guarantee it’s going to do wonders!
Other Reasons Why You Still Sweat With Antiperspirant
Here are some of the other reasons why your antiperspirant might not be working:
#1 Your Antiperspirant Is Not Strong Enough
Not all antiperspirants are created equal.
Some offer stronger protection with a higher concentration of aluminum chloride, the key ingredient that temporarily blocks the sweat glands.
If you’ve been using a drugstore brand with a low percentage (around 12%), it might not be enough for your needs.
Also Read: Antiperspirant vs. Deodorant
So if you tend to sweat a lot, you might need something stronger, like a prescription-strength antiperspirant, to really get things under control.
These have higher concentrations (around 20-25%) of the active ingredients.
If you’ve tried multiple regular brands without much luck, it could be a good idea to talk to a dermatologist or your doctor about getting a prescription for a stronger product.
#2 You’re Stressed Out
Stress is a major cause of increased sweating.
If you are constantly stressed or feel anxious, your antiperspirant won’t be enough.
When you’re under physical or emotional stress, your body’s natural response is to activate the sympathetic nervous system, which can stimulate sweat gland activity all over your body.
So, if you find yourself sweating a lot even with antiperspirant, it could be a sign that your stress levels are elevated.
Finding ways to manage your stress, like meditation, deep breathing exercises, or seeking professional help, is the best way to reduce sweating caused by stress.
If specific situations cause your anxiety, try to avoid them or develop coping mechanisms.
#3 Your Medicine Is Making You Sweat More
Certain medications can cause sweating as a side effect.
This can happen with various types of drugs, including antidepressants, blood pressure medications, corticosteroids, opioids, and diabetes medications, among others.
If you’ve recently started a new medication or noticed an increase in sweating after adjusting your dosage, it’s probably that.
Your only option here is to talk to your doctor about it.
They might be able to recommend a different medication or adjust your dosage to minimize the sweating side effect.
#4 Hot And Humid Temperature
While antiperspirants can help control sweating to some degree, they’re not a magical solution for sweating caused by hot and humid weather conditions.
Hot and humid weather can cause everyone to sweat more!
When the temperature and humidity rise, your body naturally increases sweat production as a way to cool itself down.
Your antiperspirant is going to have a hard time keeping up with the increased sweat output.
Staying hydrated, wearing breathable fabrics, wet wipes, talcum powder and a bunch of other things can help mitigate the effects of hot and humid weather on sweating.
Also Read: How to Stay Fresh and Clean in Humid Climates
#5 You Have Hyperhidrosis
If you have hyperhidrosis, antiperspirants won’t be that helpful.
Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition characterized by excessive sweating that goes beyond what’s normal for your body temperature or activity level.
If you find yourself sweating heavily even in cool temperatures or while at rest, and over-the-counter antiperspirants provide little relief, it’s a good idea to seek medical attention.
Your doctor should be able to check if you have hyperhidrosis and recommend treatment.
This may include prescription-strength antiperspirants, oral medications, botulinum toxin injections, or even surgical interventions in severe cases.
#6 Your Lifestyle Choices Are Making You Sweat More
Your daily habits can also affect how much you sweat, regardless of how effective your antiperspirant is.
For example, spicy foods, drinks with caffeine, smoking and alcohol can all make you sweat more. This is because they trigger your sweat glands to be more active.
Plus, engaging in physical activities or exercises can naturally lead to increased sweating as your body works to regulate its temperature.
If you think your lifestyle choices are the issue, it might be helpful to make adjustments.