Excessive sweating in the heat? Fear not, funky friends — relief is on the way. (Getty Images)
Success may be 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration, but that’s less the case when the perspiring in question comes with a serious stank. With so much of the country currently enduring an oppressive heat wave, and with temperatures set to hit over 100 degrees in multiple states, we’re all thinking a lot about the best ways to stay cool and fresh. Of course, the most effective strategy for maintaining one’s aromatic chill is to shelter in air-conditioned rooms (or at least plant yourself in front of a powerful fan). But even if you are lucky enough to live that AC life, modern adulthood requires engaging with the outside — for work, for errands, just to clean up the darn lawn — and once that heat hits your skin, you can expect to become moist, if not downright ripe.
Sweating is the body’s way of regulating abundant heat, and if you’re one of the millions of Americans who suffer from conditions like hyperhidrosis, this wetness can be constant, excessive and, at least initially, feel impossible to control. But never fear, my funky friends. Heavy sweaters across the internet (including organizations like the International Hyperhidrosis Society, or IHS) have sorted out the precise tools you need to feel dry and smell fresh in even the most intense summer swelter. While these products — plus a few common-sense, dermatologist-approved solutions — may not completely eradicate a sweaty glow, they will help to keep the worst olfactory offenses at bay.
How to stay cool and fresh all summer long
Shower frequently. The first, most no-duh thing you’re going to want to do is bathe — often. Frequent showers wash away the bacteria that, combined with sweat, cause odor in the first place. “I recommend showering with cooler or even cold water to keep the skin cool and promote better blood flow,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dara Spearman. And while you’re getting clean, consider shaving your armpit hair, which can store excess bacteria and create a pungent scent.
Wear loose-fitting clothing made of breathable fabrics like cotton or silk. “To keep cool and avoid sweat-induced skin irritation in the hot summer months, you should wear loose-fitting clothing made with natural fibers whenever you can,” says Los Angeles-based cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Ava Shamban. “And, if you’re exercising in nylon and spandex, you should remove your workout clothes as quickly as possible and shower to keep skin from developing rashes and infections.”
Try a variety of deodorants. The IHS recommends an array of potent deodorants and antiperspirants to get you through the hottest days. Look for a clinical-strength formula that contains more powerful ingredients in higher concentrations than regular versions, helping to block sweat glands and keep you both dry and smell-free. For places on your body like your feet, back, underboobs and groin area, cream deodorants or deodorant wipes can safely — and in some cases, gently — suppress the stink.
Carpe Underarm Antiperspirant and Deodorant
Carpe is a trusted brand in the IHS community and, with nearly 8,000 5-star Amazon ratings, this clinical-strength antiperspirant — available in eight scents — is among the brand’s highest-reviewed products. “Works SO well,” raved one comfortably dry customer. “I have always been someone who sweats a lot, and I constantly worry that I smell. This is probably one of the only deodorants that I’ve felt confident wearing. The smell isn’t overpowering, and the lotion texture dries very quickly. I don’t notice that it transfers to fabric easily either. I tried to use another deodorant when I ran out and quickly repurchased [this instead]— definitely worth the $$$$.”
$20 at Amazon
Lume Whole-Body Deodorant
Lume’s TikTok-famous, full-body deodorant cream hits the sweet spot of providing serious sweat protection while remaining gentle enough for most skin types. This popular product is aluminum-free and long-lasting — up to 72 hours, according to the brand. There’s an unscented version as well as eight appealing scents. It’s so beloved that it’s racked up tens of thousands of five-star reviews. “Makes my armpits smell delightful!” rhapsodized one superfan. “I like it because I never get skin irritation from it, and it dries pretty quickly, so I don’t have to wait forever to get dressed. Does it last 72 hours? I truly have no idea because when I’m a sweaty mess, I don’t wait that long in between showers to find out. One application after