There exists in nature some rare individuals who simply don't sweat. It doesn't matter if it's 100 degrees and sunny. At the very most, they'll release a delicate glisten, and nothing more. But then there are the rest of us — those who desperately need deodorant hacks that every person should know — just to get by in polite society.
As someone who sweats all the time, I marvel at those rare, stain-free unicorns. I sweat after short bursts of activity. I sweat when I'm nervous. Heck, I even sweat when it's cold outside. (No idea why.) My sweatiness is improving the further I get from my teenage years (those were messy times), but I still need to wear deodorant every single day.
If my plight sounds even slightly familiar, then you're probably wondering if it is possible to dry up your drenched underarms, once and for all. First things first, I'll recommend a quick trip to your doctor. Constantly sweaty underarms can be a sign of something called hyperhidrosis, which affects about 8 million Americans. "Though excessive underarm sweat isn't serious or life-threatening, it can be embarrassing and make you uncomfortable and anxious," said Beth W. Orenstein on EverydayHealth.com. That's for sure.
Of course you should follow your doctor's advice, but in the meantime, here are some of those deodorant hacks I was talking about. Give them a try, and here's hoping it helps.
1. Know The Difference Between Antiperspirants & Deodorants
Before begin your quest for drier armpits, you should first know the difference between antiperspirants and deodorants. "Antiperspirants work to reduce both sweat and odor from your underarms, while deodorants only help reduce odor," said Janyl Plante, a research scientist at Old Spice’s product research department, in an interview with James Cave on HuffingtonPost.com. The choice is up to you, but I highly recommend a product that does both.
Try: Almay Clear Gel Antiperspirant and Deodorant, $9, Amazon
2. Use The Proper Application Technique
Don't swipe on your deodorant carelessly, and then expect it to work. instead, take a moment and apply the stuff properly. "The best method, whether using deodorant or antiperspirant, is to slow down and be sure to give the entire underarm area a uniform coat of product," Plante said. That extra moment of care may just do the trick.
Try: Primal Pit Paste All Natural Deodorant Stick, $12, Amazon
3. Swipe Some On At Night
If you're used to applying deodorant in the morning, try switching your routine to the evening hours. "At night, your body temperature is cooler, which means you sweat less," noted Pamela Simmons on Livestrong.com. "While you doze, your sweat glands are ... more receptive to the active ingredients in antiperspirant, helping it to penetrate more effectively." The more you know!
4. Think About Your Hair
If you have underarm hair, you'll want to make sure the antiperspirant actually reaches your skin, where it will be able to do its job. So make sure you apply more pressure when rolling product over hair, Plante suggested, and it'll get where it needs to go.
5. Don't Apply After Showering
I'm pretty sure most of us shower in the morning, and then slick on some deodorant moments after hopping out of the tub. At least this is my habit, as it feels like applying antiperspirant right away helps preserve my freshly showered self. But, as it turns out, this method doesn't actually make much sense. "When skin is wet, the chemicals that actually prevent sweat will be blocked from seeping into the pores, meaning the sweat-blocking reaction will actually happen on the outer-layers of the skin instead," Simmons said. So always be sure to apply product only when your skin is dry.
6. Switch Brands Every Few Months
If you've been using the same brand of deodorant for ages, and don't see any benefit, it may be that your underarms have become immune, according to Michelle Grossman on StyleCaster.com. To prevent this from happening, make sure you switch up your deodorant about every six months.
Try: Schmidt's Lavender Aluminum-Free Deodorant, $11, Amazon
7. Buy Any Brand (Or Scent) You Want
If you want to smell like lilacs, then reach for a women's deodorant. If you'd rather smell like ice, or the woods, then hop on over to the men's section. "The only difference between men and women’s deodorants is the fragrance and packaging," Grossman said. "Other than that, the ingredients are essentially the same."
Try: Herban Cowboy Mountain Deodorant, $8, Amazon
8. Apply It Anywhere And Everywhere
Unfortunately, sweatiness isn't unique to the underarm area. Other classic locations are the feet, under the boobs, and between the thighs. The fun thing about antiperspirant is it can be applied to any and all of these locations. So have at it. Just watch for irritation, especially on sensitive spots like your chest, according to Petra Guglielmetti on Fitness Magazine.
9. Yes, Even Your Hairline
I've heard of applying deodorant to multiple body parts, but never the face. But apparently it works. "This ... trick to keep sweat out of the eyes is a must have for frequent runners and onstage performers," said Jessica Cruel on News.Health.com. "Just rub an antiperspirant around the hairline and along your neck to keep your face moisture free." And be sure to use an invisible formula, lest you walk around sporting a flaky, white film.
10. And Yes, Even Your Hands
If you have drippy hands, then you know the embarrassment of handshakes, high fives, and holding hands. But luckily, there is something you can do. "Apply deodorant to your palms and have the driest handshake at the party," said Meredith Hirt on Gurl.com. It really is as easy as that.
11. Reapply As You Please
It's not really necessary to keep applying deodorant during the day. If you apply it properly, and put it on dry skin, it should plug up your pores and do it's job. However, there’s no downside to frequent application, according to Rachel Nussbaum on Greatist.com. If reapplying helps you feel fresh, then by all means, have at it.
Because, if you're like me, you'll do whatever it takes to put an end to the sweatiness. If that means rolling deodorant on my face, and reapplying all day long, I'm certainly willing to give it a try.
Images: Pexels (12)
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