Will Antiperspirant Keep My Sweaty Palms Dry?

Beyond the Beauty Pages, SELF Magazine

Julie Schott,SELF magazine



Can we talk about something sort of gross for a second? Excessive summer sweat! I don't know about you, but when temps rise, I start to notice wet patches in places I don't usually perspire, like my chest, back and palms -- even the backs of my knees feel damp sometimes. Short of carrying around a change of clothes (as a sweaty ex of mine used to do), I've tried everything under the sun (ha) to prevent embarrassing sweaty spots. So what's the solution?

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I asked two top New York City dermatologists--Dr. Eric Schweiger and Dr. Jennifer MacGregor--to weigh in on excess sweat and staying dry this summer. Here are their top tips:

Evaluate your ingredients. Check the label for aluminum-based compounds such as aluminum chloride, which help to shrink the sweat glands temporarily. Your best bet? "Use an extra-strength aluminum chloride-based antiperspirant such as Certain-Dri," says Dr. MacGregor.

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Apply strategically. Antiperspirants can work on any area of the body -- they can even be applied on your upper lip and hairline (makeup artists do this for the red carpet) -- although they won't penetrate rough spots, like calluses. For best results, try applying your heavy-duty antiperspirant at night to allow for full absorption.

Prevent irritation. Antiperspirants can cause skin discomfort and/or allergy, so apply with caution, especially to sensitive areas. As with any new beauty product, always start with a spot test.

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So there you have it. Do these three things and you'll be in for a (virtually) sweat-stain-free summer. What are your secrets for staying dry in the heat?

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