Tired of battling relentless sweat and cycling through products that just don’t deliver? Enter Carpe—a brand that’s gained a serious following for their over-the-counter (OTC) solutions designed to manage excessive sweating and provide sweat control.
In this Carpe review, I’m diving deep into what makes their lineup tick. From their antiperspirant hand lotion to specialized products for feet, face, and underarms, I’ve put them to the test so you don’t have to. Curious if Carpe lives up to the hype? Stick around—I’m breaking it all down, sweat-free.
What is Carpe
Carpe is a U.S.-based company that manufactures topical over-the-counter (OTC) antiperspirants and sweat-absorbing products. These products are designed to target overactive sweat glands and address excessive sweating in specific parts of the body. Their lineup includes solutions for hands, feet, underarms, face, scalp, and more, offering precise approaches to help manage a little (or a lot—no judgement) extra sweat.
Carpe’s products are particularly suited for individuals dealing with primary hyperhidrosis—a medical condition characterized by excessive sweating that can interfere with daily activities.
Carpe’s lineup addresses several types of hyperhidrosis:
Palmar Hyperhidrosis: Excessive sweating of the palms
Plantar Hyperhidrosis: Excessive sweating of the feet
Axillary Hyperhidrosis: Excessive sweating of the underarms
Craniofacial Hyperhidrosis: Excessive sweating of the face and scalp
For many, OTC antiperspirants containing aluminum salts are a first line of defense because they’re more accessible and less invasive than other hyperhidrosis medical treatments like botulinum toxin (Botox) injections and surgery (sweat gland removal and Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy).
Carpe’s Product lineup
Carpe provides a range of products formulated to address sweating and odor in targeted areas. Below is an overview of their offerings, broken down by the areas they are designed to address.
Underarms
Antiperspirant Underarm Stick: A solid stick designed for everyday sweat control.
Antiperspirant Underarm Wipes: Pre-moistened wipes for managing sweat in situations where applying a stick is not practical.
Clinical Grade Antiperspirant Underarm PM Wipes: Designed to reduce sweat production overnight by targeting sweat ducts.
Clinical Grade Exfoliating Underarm Wash: Prepares the skin for antiperspirants and minimizes odor caused by overactive sweat glands.
Clinical Grade Antiperspirant Underarm AM Stick: A morning-use stick that complements the PM Wipes for enhanced daytime sweat reduction.
Hands
Sweat Absorbing Hand Lotion: This product is infused with ingredients to help reduce palm sweat while leaving the skin feeling smooth.
Feet
Sweat Absorbing Foot Lotion: Helps manage sweat and odor on the soles of the feet.
Face and Scalp
Carpe’s face and scalp products are designed to manage facial and scalp sweating, with options for reducing shine, sweat, and odor:
Sweat Absorbing Face Primer with SPF: A primer that combines sweat absorption with sun protection, intended for use before makeup application.
Sweat Absorbing Face Lotion: A lotion formulated to reduce facial sweat and provide a matte finish.
Instant Matte Setting Mist: A facial mist designed to help set makeup.
Sweat Absorbing Setting Powder: A powder formulated to absorb sweat and oil, providing a matte look.
Sweat Absorbing Scalp Powder: Features tapioca starch to reduce sweat on the scalp without disrupting hairstyles.
Scalp Serum: A serum formulated to manage scalp sweat while providing hydration to the skin.
Sweat Absorbing Face Wipes: Portable wipes designed to absorb sweat from the face.
Body
Carpe’s body products are developed to target specific areas prone to sweating and odor, including the groin, lower back, thighs, and breast areas.
Sweat Absorbing Women’s Groin Powder: A powder containing tapioca starch to manage moisture and odor in the groin area for women.
Sweat Absorbing Lower Back and Butt Lotion: A lotion formulated to reduce sweat and discomfort in the lower back and buttocks.
Sweat Absorbing Men’s Groin Powder: A powder designed to address sweating and odor in the groin area for men.
Sweat Absorbing Breast Lotion: Formulated with aloe barbadensis leaf juice, this lotion reduces sweat in the breast area.
Sweat Absorbing Thigh Lotion: A lotion designed to reduce sweat and friction in the thigh area, potentially helping to prevent chafing.
How Carpe Works
Carpe products aim to manage excessive sweating through directed application and carefully formulated active ingredients, like aluminum chloride. Designed for use across various body areas, these products offer different strengths and formats to address mild to moderate sweating and hyperhidrosis.
Key Ingredients and Formulations
Carpe’s products feature a variety of active ingredients aimed at sweat reduction:
Aluminum Sesquichlorohydrate (15%): Found in Carpe’s standard antiperspirants, this compound blocks sweat ducts and is suitable for the average person.
Aluminum Zirconium Trichlorohydrex Glycine (20%): Found in clinical-grade products, this stronger active ingredient targets sweat glands and is designed for those facing hyperhidrosis.
Silica and Kaolin Clay: Commonly included in powders and lotions, these absorb excess sweat from the skin’s surface.
Botanical Soothing Agents: Ingredients, like aloe barbadensis leaf juice, are included in some formulations to reduce irritation and improve comfort.
Additionally, Carpe offers multiple scent options, a change from other antiperspirant brands like CertainDri and Drysol, which often offer unscented or limited single-scent formulations.
Drying Time and Residue
Most of Carpe’s products require a short drying period after application to avoid residue transferring onto clothing.
Testing & Results
As someone with hyperhidrosis affecting my hands, feet, and underarms, I tested Carpe’s products specifically for these areas over a structured 10-day period.
Underarms
I tested Carpe’s Standard Antiperspirant Stick for five days, followed by the Clinical Grade PM Wipes and AM Stick for another five days. Each product was used according to the manufacturer’s directions.
Five-Day Protocol: Standard Antiperspirant Stick
Applied the stick daily in the evening to clean, dry underarms.
Allowed the product to dry completely before dressing.
Results:
The stick left a sticky residue on my skin, which persisted for about 40 minutes post-application.
No noticeable reduction in sweat compared to not using any product.
Five-Day Protocol: Clinical Grade PM Wipes and AM Stick
Applied the PM Wipes nightly before bed to clean, dry skin.
Used the AM Stick in the morning, following the same dry-skin protocol as the Standard Stick.
Allowed each product to dry completely (took significantly less time than the Standard Stick, with no sticky residue).
Results:
The PM Wipes and AM Stick did not leave a sticky residue.
However, I observed no reduction in underarm sweat throughout the day. Sweating began at the same rate and intensity as without any product.
Hands
Sweat Absorbing Hand Lotion:
Used twice daily—morning and evening—on dry hands.
Despite the claims, the lotion did not reduce sweating during the 5 day testing period.
The eucalyptus oil scent was incredibly strong and overwhelming.
My hands felt sticky for an extended time after application. This was more of a problem during the morning where I couldn’t touch anything for at least 30 minutes, or until dry.
Sweating resumed within an hour after use, consistent with my underarm results.
Feet
Sweat Absorbing Foot Lotion:
Applied once in the morning and once in the evening to clean, dry feet.
Similar to the hand lotion, the product felt sticky for about 30 minutes and had the same overpowering eucalyptus scent.
Sticky residue made walking barefoot in the mornings uncomfortable. Socks were necessary after application.
Sweating resumed within 1 hour, with no noticeable reduction in sweat production.
Final Verdict
Underarms
While the Clinical Grade PM Wipes and AM Stick offered a better user experience than the Standard Stick (neutral scent and no sticky residue), none of the products reduced my sweating.
Hands
The Sweat Absorbing Hand Lotion was an interesting product to test, given its lotion format. As someone with hyperhidrosis, I’m often skeptical of wet products, as they tend to trigger more sweating. Surprisingly, the lotion itself didn’t immediately exacerbate my sweating, which was a positive start. However, the results fell short of expectations, with an overpowering eucalyptus scent and greater than 30 minute dry time. This product may work for those with mild perspiration issues, but it didn’t perform for my palmar hyperhidrosis.
Feet
The Sweat Absorbing Foot Lotion performed similarly to the hand lotion. While it didn’t immediately trigger more sweating upon application, it also didn’t provide any meaningful sweat reduction. The eucalyptus scent was less noticeable for the feet compared to the hand lotion, likely because it was farther from my nose. However, the sticky residue lingered for about 40 minutes, and sweating resumed within an hour of application.
Overall
Carpe’s products for hands, feet, and underarms unfortunately didn’t perform for managing my hyperhidrosis. These products may provide best results for individuals with more mild sweating concerns or as a starting point for managing excessive sweating, especially with their high concentration of aluminum salts. For those with moderate to severe hyperhidrosis or sweating exacerbated by hot weather, consulting a healthcare professional or exploring prescription antiperspirants may yield better results.
