What You Should Know Before Trying Antiperspirants for Hands
Antiperspirant for hands can stop sweaty palms, when used correctly. Here’s everything to know before trying hand antiperspirants.
If anything is going to get between me and my TikTok scroll, I want it to be a no-screens weekend, not sweaty hands. But for one SweatRx member, hand sweat meant an unwanted detox; sweat made it difficult to unlock and use their phone about 65% of the time. Fortunately, facial scans, Siri, and voice notes came in clutch, but not all situations accept Siri commands. And a facial scan can’t be used in lieu of a hand shake at work or holding hands on a date.
If sweaty hands get in the way of your tech time or cause IRL embarrassment, it may be time to explore the world of antiperspirants. Researching antiperspirants, however, is easier said than done, thanks to the variety of available options. Here’s how to find the right one based on your preferences, lifestyle, and sweat severity.
What Is Hand Antiperspirant and How Does It Work?
Before we get ahead of ourselves, what even is hand antiperspirant? What makes this product unique isn’t so much that it’s for the hands, but the active ingredient, aluminium salts. These salts form a gel-like plug on the skin’s surface that stops excessive sweating. The exact salts used differ, but a product does have to contain some sort of aluminium salt to be classified as an antiperspirant by the FDA.
Antiperspirants come in many forms. The “traditional” form is a stick that you can roll over the armpits to stop sweat, which is why so many people confuse this product with deodorant. But antiperspirants are much more diverse than the classic roll-on stick. They also come in lotions, sprays, gels, and wipes. The latter four types can be used on the hands, with some companies creating specific products for sweaty palms.
Effectiveness for Sweaty Palms
If hyperhidrosis products were graded, antiperspirants would be at the top of the class for sweaty palms. In one clinical trial, over 85% of those with hyperhidrosis (the medical term for excessive sweating) experienced a reduction in sweating after using antiperspirants.
Yet, it’s not the right product for everyone. Other research suggests it may be most effective for mild cases of hyperhidrosis, not more severe ones. That said, hand antiperspirants may help in more moderate and severe cases when used alongside other treatments.
Who Can Benefit from Using It?
Sweat can feel isolating, but it’s important to know that sweaty palms are common. 16 million Americans live with hyperhidrosis, a medical condition characterized by excessive perspiration. When sweat does occur in the hands, it’s referred to as palmar hyperhidrosis.
But you don’t need an official diagnosis to benefit from hand antiperspirants. Anyone whose sweaty hands get in the way of their day-to-day life may benefit from an OTC antiperspirant including:
Athletes
Professionals who use computers and other devices
Anyone with social anxiety that manifests as clammy hands
Gamers
Those who live in hot or humid environments
Some people, such as those who have hyperhidrosis, may benefit from using hand antiperspirants consistently. Others may only need to use it around events that cause them to sweat (literally), such as a first date or job interview. Nonetheless, keep in mind that the benefits of hand antiperspirants often increase the longer and more consistently they are used.
Key Ingredients to Look For in a Good Antiperspirant
While we wish buying an antiperspirant was as easy as walking into a drug store and picking up the first product you come across, it’s a bit more complicated. Instead, you want to read the ingredient list first, paying attention to active and additional ingredients.
Active Ingredients
The first, and most important, ingredient to look out for is aluminum salts. Without a form of these salts, a product can’t be an FDA-approved antiperspirant. To make matters more complicated, there are multiple types of aluminum salts.
And what are these types? We’re glad you asked. The five below are the most common, though they work better for different severity levels:
Aluminum chloride: The classic over-the-counter option used for mild cases of hyperhidrosis.
Aluminum chlorohydrate: While similar to aluminum chloride, it irritates the skin less.
Aluminum sesquichlorohydrate: An alternative to aluminum chloride with fewer side effects.
Aluminum zirconium trichlorohydrex: Effective in mild cases and found in many over-the-counter products.
Aluminum chloride hexahydrate: Often used in prescription antiperspirants and ideal for moderate to severe cases.
When looking at the active ingredient, it’s also important to note what percentage an antiperspirant contains. Over-the-counter products typically contain 6.5% aluminum salts (at this level, many companies market their antiperspirants as “clinical strength”).
Prescription products contain anywhere from 10%-35% aluminum salts. Many people start on OTC antiperspirants, but prescription ones are recommended for moderate to severe hyperhidrosis.
Additional Ingredients
Even at its strongest (35%), aluminum salts don’t make up the entirety of an antiperspirant—and you want to pay attention to the additional ingredients.
Most products also contain a “carrying vehicle,” typically water, alcohol, or 2–4% salicylic acid (SA) gel. SA gel is often cited as the most effective, and water is a good option too. Products with alcohol are the most likely to cause skin irritation, meaning it’s best to shy away from them if you have sensitive skin.
Many products also have a fragrance, with the most common being limonene, linalool, geraniol, and benzyl salicylate. Those with sensitive skin may want to avoid antiperspirants with fragrances.
How to Apply It Correctly for Best Results
When it comes to hand antiperspirants there is a right way to apply them:
Apply at night: Add an antiperspirant to your nighttime routine. For more severe cases, using it twice a day (in morning and evening) may help.
Use sparingly: A thin layer will be effective and help you avoid any antiperspirant residue.
Keep on: Ideally, antiperspirant should be left on for six to eight hours before being washed off.
Reapply as needed: Some research suggests antiperspirants should be used one to two times a week; others suggest applying more often. Consult a healthcare provider to find the right cadence for your perspiration severity.
When applying hand antiperspirants, avoid any areas that are irritated, whether from using antiperspirants or life in general. If, for example, you get a paper cut in your right palm, avoid that area when applying the antiperspirant until it heals.
How Long It Takes to See Results
I don’t know about you, but if I order DoorDash and it takes longer than 30 minutes to arrive, I become antsy. Hand antiperspirants don’t work as fast as food delivery—and we shouldn’t expect them too, even in our fast-paced world.
Immediate effects (mainly slightly less sweat) occur within six to eight hours. If that range sounds familiar, it’s because hand antiperspirants should stay on for six to eight hours before being washed off. This number wasn’t chosen randomly. It’s how long aluminum salts take to block sweat glands.
Consistency Pays Off
While sweat should stop six to eight hours after use, you’ll see the most benefit from regularly using hand antiperspirants. This product isn’t like a medication that you can take when a headache occurs or you have a fever. Instead, it’s a preventative measure, meaning consistency is the best policy.
In fact, long-term use of antiperspirants has been linked to less sweat overall and better skin health. It may even lead to better outcomes for hyperhidrosis surgeries.
Are There Any Side Effects?
If this were a drug commercial, we’d be at the point where a plethora of side effects would roll quickly across the screen. Fortunately, there’s not enough side effects for that. While both prescription and over the counter antiperspirants do have some side effects, they don’t have that many—and the most common can fit into a short list:.
Skin irritation
Tingling
Rash
And if you’ve heard the rumors that antiperspirants cause cancer, you can rest easy. There’s no study that links antiperspirants to cancer of any type.
How to Minimize Side Effects
Skin irritation, tingling, or a rash aren’t something you should have to live with. Fortunately, there are steps to take to avoid these side effects, including:
Gently massage the antiperspirant into the skin
Apply only when skin is completely dry
Avoid antiperspirants with a fragrance, if your skin is sensitive
Can It Be Used Alongside Other Hyperhidrosis Treatments?
Hand antiperspirants can usually be used alongside other treatments, including hyperhidrosis surgery, oral medications, and natural solutions, like supplements or magnesium.
That said, you always want to check with a healthcare provider before starting any new treatments. A qualified provider can look at your individual case and determine if an antiperspirant will interact with current medications or treatments (for hyperhidrosis or otherwise).
Where to Buy High-Quality Antiperspirants
Not all antiperspirants are the same. To make sure your chosen product is high-quality, opt for a brand that is approved by the FDA. While you can look up the FDA labels for each antiperspirant on the market, there are some easier ways to find the best antiperspirants. Our favorite resources include:
International Hyperhidrosis Society: This group writes reviews of some antiperspirant brands and provides more general tips.
SingleCare: If you already know which product you want to buy, this website can help you find the best coupons and deals in your area for that specific antiperspirant brand.
SweatRx: If you don’t know what product you need, our platform can match you with a healthcare provider who can assess your specific situation and recommend the best treatment options.
You deserve dry hands—and antiperspirants may help you get there. While there are many effective over-the-counter and prescription options, a healthcare provider can help you find the right one for you. Get started today with SweatRx.
