Hyperhidrosis? Try the Best Antiperspirant for Sweat Control
Looking for the best antiperspirant? Here’s what to consider, plus some of the top products.
There are many unavoidable inconveniences in life: Traffic jams, your favorite show being cancelled, and a rainy day when you forgot your umbrella—to name a few. But ineffective sweat protection shouldn’t make the list. For many people with hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), it unfortunately makes that list too often.
To stop the spread of ineffective sweat protection, we researched the most popular antiperspirants. Here are the ones that live up to the hype, either as a standalone act or in combination with other products.
How Antiperspirants Work To Stop Sweat
Antiperspirants are effective in 85% of mild hyperhidrosis cases. Their power stems from their active ingredients: Aluminum salts. These salts form a gel-like plug on the skin’s surface, stopping excessive sweating. To be classified as an antiperspirant by the FDA, a product must have an aluminum compound, though there are different types.
Some, like aluminum chloride hexahydrate, are used in prescription products (aka the ones prescribed for mild hyperhidrosis). Others, like aluminum chlorohydrate and aluminum zirconium trichlorohydrex, are used in over-the-counter clinical strength antiperspirants (aka the ones for normal sweating).
Types of Antiperspirants
While we traditionally think of an antiperspirant as a roll-on stick for the underarms (similar to a deodorant), it also comes in creams, sprays, gels, and wipes, making it a great option for excessive sweating on any body part.
And if you heard the word deodorant and thought, “Why don’t I just use that?” We get it. It’s easy to confuse the two, but deodorants mask odors while antiperspirants block the sweat ducts and stop sweat.
Best OTC Antiperspirants for Hyperhidrosis
Now that we know what an antiperspirant is, what are the best over-the-counter antiperspirants? The exact answer depends on what you’re looking for. Below, we outlined the strongest OTC antiperspirant, as well as the ones suitable to sensitive skin or an on-the-go lifestyle.
Best Clinical-Strength Antiperspirant
Product: Carpe
Price: Ranges based on product
Active Ingredients: Varies depending on the exact product
Why we picked it: If you enjoy physical activity or are constantly on-the-go, Carpe may be a good choice. This brand has a number of products, meaning there’s a solution for sweating in any part of the body, and multiple antiperspirant types to choose from (powder, lotion, stick, serums, and wipes). Plus, these products have a higher concentration of aluminum salts than other OTC options.
Pros:
Higher concentration of aluminum salts
Wide variety of products
Products focused on hands, underarms, face, and feet
Cons:
Not as effective for moderate to severe hyperhidrosis
Scents can be overpowering
Best Antiperspirant for Sensitive Skin
Product: Dove Invisible Antiperspirant
Price: $3.99-$25, depending on size and shopping location
Active Ingredients: Aluminum Chlorohydrate (19.6%)
Why we picked it: This product from Dove is a great option for someone with mild hyperhidrosis or sweating and sensitive skin. Because it’s unscented, includes moisturizer, and is made with a 0% (ethanol) alcohol formula, it doesn’t irritate the skin.
Pros:
Made with sensitive skin in mind
High concentration of aluminum salts
Unscented
Cons:
Designed for underarms only
Only comes in stick form
Best Sweat Wipes for On-the-Go Protection
Product: Duradry Sweat Wipes
Price: $40-80, depending on how many you buy
Active Ingredients: Aluminum Chlorohydrate
Why we picked it: The Duradry sweat wipes provide great all-around protection and are easy to take on the go. Not only do these products provide fragrance-free sweat protection in easy-to-use wipes, they’re also easy to order with Duradry’s auto-deliver option.
Pros:
High effectiveness rate
Can work for most body parts
97% of the ingredients are natural
Cons:
Doesn’t list the concentration of the active ingredient
Pricier than other options
Best Antiperspirants for Specific Body Areas
Focal hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating in concentrated body parts, accounts for 93% of primary hyperhidrosis cases. To combat focal hyperhidrosis, many companies have designed best-in-class solutions for sweat-prone areas. Ahead are the best OTC options for underarms, face, hands, feet, and groin, though prescription options exist for specific body parts too.
Best Antiperspirant for Underarms
Product: Carpe Underarm Max Strength Lotion
Price: $19.95 each
Active Ingredients: Aluminum Sesquichlorohydrate (15%)
Why we picked it: When it comes to underarm sweating, Carpe provides one of the best solutions. This quick-drying nighttime antiperspirant works efficiently and comes in a variety of scent options. For those with sensitive skin, Carpe has a fragrance-free option.
Pros:
Various scent options, including fragrance free
Designed specifically for underarms
Dermatologist tested
Cons:
Best used at night
Takes about four weeks to work
Best Antiperspirant for Hands & Palms
Product: SweatBlock Hand Lotion
Price: $16.99 per lotion
Active Ingredients: Aluminum Sesquichlorohydrate (17.5%)
Why we picked it: When it comes to hand antiperspirants, SweatBlock stands out because of its clean, natural ingredient list and long-lasting formula. It also comes with a 100-day money-back guarantee, making it a low-risk option financially.
Pros:
Designed specifically for hands
Offers a no-slip feature that helps you better grip with sweaty palms
Long-lasting
Cons:
May not help with moderate or severe cases of hyperhidrosis
Must spend over $30 to get free shipping
Best Antiperspirant for Feet
Product: Australian Bodycare Foot Spray
Price: $16.99
Active Ingredients: Aluminum Chlorohydrate
Why we picked it: When it comes to feet antiperspirants, the International Hyperhidrosis Society recommends aerosol products you can spray onto the soles of the feet. Australian Bodycare meets that recommendation.
Pros:
Spray can be used on feet or shoes
Vegan
Includes tea tree oil to combat foot odor
Cons:
Doesn’t specify concentration of aluminum salts
May not work for moderate or severe hyperhidrosis
Best Antiperspirant for Face & Forehead
Product: SweatBlock Face Antiperspirant Wipes
Price: $17.99 each
Active Ingredients: Aluminum Chlorohydrate
Why we picked it: Antiperspirants are not recommended as often for face sweating, but this particular antiperspirant is especially useful for the face and scalp. Not only do these wipes control face sweating, they also act as makeup protection and may reduce oil, which could lead to better overall skin health.
Pros:
Specifically for the face and scalp
Clinically tested
Designed to control shine and oil, as well as sweat
Cons:
Doesn’t list active ingredient concentration
Each pack only includes 15 wipes, which means you may have to buy this product more often than others on the market
Best Antiperspirant for Groin & Private Areas
Product: Carpe Women’s Groin Powder and Men’s Groin Powder
Price: $19.95 each
Active Ingredients: Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Why we picked it: If you’re looking to stop groin sweat, consider this antiperspirant powder from Carpe. Both products were designed without talc in order to avoid friction and have a minimal ingredient list to avoid skin irritation.
Pros:
Products designed for men and women
Vegan
Dermatologist tested
Cons:
May not be best for moderate to severe hyperhidrosis
Doesn’t list exact concentration of aluminum saltshttps://sweatrx.com/blog/why-do-i-sweat-so-much
Best Prescription Antiperspirants for Hyperhidrosis
Most of the products we’ve discussed are over the counter, meaning you can get them without a prescription. For more severe cases, you may need to see a healthcare provider who can write you a prescription for a strong antiperspirant.
In these cases, the best anti-sweat products are whatever the healthcare provider recommends, keeping in mind that treatment should be adjusted if any products cause uncomfortable side effects or don’t prove effective.
When Antiperspirants Aren’t Enough
While antiperspirants are a great standalone option, they sometimes aren’t enough as a solo act. If you have moderate or severe hyperhidrosis, another solution may be needed—either in place of or accompanying antiperspirants.
Accompanying or Alternative Hyperhidrosis Treatments
For heavy sweat, consider the following treatment options:
Anticholinergics: Oral medications that can block sweat gland activity.
Iontophoresis: A machine that slows sweating via an electrical current delivered through water.
Botox: While commonly known for reducing wrinkles, this injection can reduce sweat gland activity too.
MiraDry: A sweat reduction treatment specifically for the armpits.
Surgery: For more advanced hyperhidrosis cases, surgery may be required. Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) and sweat gland removal are the most common procedures.
Before starting any treatment, consult a healthcare provider to make sure it works well with any other medications you’re taking or antiperspirants you’re using.
Alternatives for Mild Sweat
If you’ve ever asked if antiperspirants are safe, it’s a good question. They have minimal side effects, though some people are more at-risk of developing them. If you have contact dermatitis or sensitive skin, there’s a chance an over–the-counter antiperspirant may irritate the skin or cause a rash. In these cases, it may be best to opt for more natural deodorants or other mild hyperhidrosis treatment options, such as supplements or sage.
Others find that lifestyle adjustments provide enough sweat and odor protection. Common lifestyle changes (that can be made with or without antiperspirants) include:
Wearing loose-fitting clothes
Avoiding spicy foods
Opting for smaller amounts of caffeine and alcohol
Managing stress levels
If you’re avoiding antiperspirants because of the rumors that they cause breast cancer and other serious side effects, we’re here to bust that myth once and for all: Antiperspirants have not been linked to any type of cancer.
How To Apply Antiperspirant for Maximum Effectiveness
Skin irritation or a rash are potential side effects of antiperspirants, but there are steps you can take to avoid them—and to make prescription or over-the-counter antiperspirants as effective as possible.
Best practices to follow include:
Use as intended: Read the instructions on your specific product and use as intended.
Apply the right way: Gently massage the antiperspirant into the skin and apply only when the skin is completely dry.
Reapply when needed: Use antiperspirants at night in mild to moderate cases. Severe cases might require twice daily use (in the morning and at night).
Keep on for 6-8 hours: When using at night, keep antiperspirants on for six to eight hours before washing off.
Combine treatments: Many people with hyperhidrosis consider it useful to combine an antiperspirant with other treatment options. Only do so with the guidance of a healthcare provider.
Common Mistakes That Reduce Effectiveness
Everybody makes mistakes, but we can all avoid the three most common antiperspirant errors. The first is buying a deodorant-antiperspirant combo product with a weak concentration of aluminum salts. These combo products are enticing, since they promise to stop bad smells and sweat production all at once, but they have to have a high enough concentration of these salts to work. And what is a high enough concentration? 6.5% aluminum salts is the minimum.
Another common error is to use a product with fragrances or other ingredients that cause side effects. Antiperspirants that smell like lavender, vanilla, or insert-your-favorite-scent-here are great in theory, but not so great if your skin is easily irritated. Similarly, if an antiperspirant causes white marks on clothes or leaves a sticky residue, you may want to look for another product.
The third common mistake is to expect an antiperspirant to work ASAP. We live in a world where our coffee orders are ready in less than five minutes and we DoorDash food right to our doorstep, but antiperspirants take longer to work. Most experience the first impacts within six to eight hours. Consistent use over several weeks is required to notice a lasting difference.
And the Best Antiperspirant Is…
Whichever antiperspirant is best for you! While this might not be a cut-and-dry answer you’d hope for, hyperhidrosis treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s about finding the right treatment line-up for your sweat severity and symptoms.
Working with a qualified healthcare provider who has experience treating hyperhidrosis is the best way to get that tailor-made treatment plan. At SweatRx, we can connect you with a board-certified dermatologist and ship prescribed treatments right to your door.
