Start the Day Dry

For many of us, the morning starts with a full-body rinse. When you come out of the shower, Zalka suggests first patting yourself dry with a towel. “Then, use your hairdryer on the cool setting and air-dry skin folds gently,” she says. “This way, when you put on your clothes, you are not locking in wetness that will stay with you all day.” 

Gohara says to think of the cool-shot trick: “like prepping a canvas before painting—sweat and moisture can interfere with absorption.” 

Cleanse Smart, Not Harsh

Sweat itself isn’t dirty—but when it sticks around, it creates the perfect environment for acne-causing bacteria to thrive, says Gohara. “That’s why it’s essential to wash sweat-prone areas daily (underarms, under the breasts, groin creases) with a gentle, pimple-fighting cleanser,” Gohara advises. She recommends Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash with salicylic acid to help keep breakouts at bay without irritating your skin.

Make Sure You’re Using an Antiperspirant, Not Just a Deodorant

“Deodorants mask odor, but they do nothing for wetness,” says Zeichner. Antiperspirants work by blocking sweat from reaching the surface of the skin, so they decrease wetness. “Antiperspirants contain aluminum-based compounds that form a plug or blockage in your sweat glands, preventing sweat from being released from the glands where the product is applied,” he explains. This is what keeps your underarms dry. “Contrary to rumors on the internet, there is no data linking the use of aluminum-containing antiperspirants to breast cancer,” he adds. 

Manage Stress Sweat on Two Fronts

Unlike heat-induced sweat, stress sweat comes from different glands and tends to be smellier, Gohara says. “To manage both body and brain, use antiperspirants regularly and pair them with calming strategies like breathwork or mindfulness,” she suggests. “Think of it like adjusting both the thermostat and the mood lighting—managing sweat is both physical and psychological.”

Apply Your Antiperspirant at Night

Applying your antiperspirant at night on clean, dry skin maximizes efficacy and minimizes irritation, Garshick says. “Since antiperspirants work by using aluminum salts to plug up sweat glands, this is best to do at night when the sweat glands are not active or filled with sweat, so the sweat ducts can absorb more of the aluminum and therefore be more effective,” she explains. 

Gohara recommends applying your antiperspirant the night before a big event so you can ensure you’ll have extra sweat protection.

Consider Botox for Excess Sweat

“Botox may be considered for excessive sweating that occurs in the underarms, palms, soles, and scalp,” says Garshick. “Botox works by blocking the nerve signals that activate sweat glands.” This is typically not the first course of action for those dealing with excess sweat, but if you have tried other treatments with no success, it can be a great option.“For people constantly carrying backup shirts or skipping social events, it can be life-changing,” Gohara says. 

Choose Your Fabrics, and Moments, Wisely

Speaking of backup shirts, Gohara recommends you opt for breathable, sweat-wicking fabrics like cotton or performance synthetics that pull moisture away from the skin. “Avoid clingy or heat-trapping materials,” she says. Similarly, if sweat showing through your clothes is a pet peeve, be mindful of your closet’s color palette. “Stick to light or dark colors,” advises Zeichner. “Intermediate colors will show sweat marks much more easily.”

See a Board-Certified Dermatologist

If your sweating is out of control and interfering with your day-to-day, Zalka suggests booking an appointment with your dermatologist. “You may be suffering from a rare condition called hyperhidrosis, a medical diagnosis of extreme sweating that can be managed with prescription medications and/or procedures offered by your doctor.” 

While not common, the condition triggers your body to overproduce sweat—no heat or movement required. “Hyperhidrosis is like your body’s ‘fight or flight’ mode is stuck in overdrive—like a bear is chasing you when there’s no bear,” Gohara says.

Tap Into the Power of Prescription Treatments

If your doctor recommends prescription treatments, there are multiple categories to choose from.

Oral medications like glycopyrrolate (Robinul) can help calm the false alarm of hyperhidrosis by blocking the chemical messengers that trigger widespread sweating, Gohara says. “These are especially helpful for people with all-over (not just localized) sweating,” she notes. Dermatologists may also prescribe topical anticholinergics or prescription wipes to reduce sweat production directly at the source. 

Last but not least, clinical-strength antiperspirants might act as your secret weapon. “[Sofdra] is an FDA-cleared, safe, and effective topical gel antiperspirant available by prescription for underarm sweating,” Zeichner says. It works by blocking the signal that tells your sweat glands to make excess sweat.