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Antiperspirants for the Face and Groin
Written by Katie Crissman
October 01 2020

Primary focal hyperhidrosis can affect many body parts, and some are more easily treated than others. For some locations, like the hands, there are several treatment options available. Anything from antiperspirants to iontophoresis for palmar hyperhidrosis can be utilized to treat hyperhidrotic skin. Unfortunately, other areas, especially the face and groin, are harder to treat because of the sensitive nature of the skin on those parts of the body. These areas also present a challenge because they are so important to human functioning. Any treatments used to treat the skin of the face and groin must not cause too much further discomfort because those areas are crucial to daily function, and because they can be easily damaged. This is why it is so important for patients to understand their treatment options and the products available to them. For those who suffer from craniofacial hyperhidrosis and excessive groin sweat, there are antiperspirants and other treatments available that are able to reduce sweating without causing damage to sensitive skin.

The Ingredients in Over-the-Counter Antiperspirants and How They Affect Skin

Over-the-counter topical treatments for hyperhidrosis are the first-line options for both craniofacial and groin sweating.[1] However, finding an antiperspirant that is both effective and appropriate for sensitive skin can be a challenge. It is important to remember that before applying any antiperspirant to a sensitive area, it is a good idea to manage hyperhidrosis with a doctor and get their approval before trying a new treatment, even if it is over-the-counter. Before trying any new product on sensitive skin, test it on another area of the body to make sure no allergic reactions or irritation occur as a result.

It is important to understand the different kinds of antiperspirants available on the market before discussing specific products. The most common types of antiperspirants used to treat hyperhidrosis contain aluminum chloride or aluminum chloride hexahydrate. Aluminum is thought to work by obstructing eccrine sweat gland ducts so that sweat productions is limited. The metal ions in the aluminum interact with other molecules in the skin in such a way that the epithelial cells in sweat glands are damaged and form a sort of plug. It is highly effective at reducing sweat production. Some studies have found that aluminum chloride can be quite irritating, making it tricky to use on sensitive areas. Doctors may recommend using 1% hydrocortisone cream to treat irritation caused by aluminum chloride. Antiperspirants with aluminum chloride hexahydrate are usually clinical strength. These may be necessary if aluminum chloride alone is not effective. In order to make products with these ingredients work more effectively, it is important for users to apply them at night to allow a plug to form.[1]

One of the drawbacks of using aluminum chloride or aluminum chloride hexahydrate is that they can be very irritating. One study found that when mixed with salicylic acid, aluminum chloride hexahydrate produced much less irritation and still effectively reduced sweating. Some products now use both of these ingredients together in order to reduce side effects.[1]

Newer, clinical strength over-the-counter antiperspirants often use an ingredient called aluminum zirconium trichlorohydrex or aluminum chlorohydrate to reduce sweating associated with hyperhidrosis. These products have been shown to provide more sweat protection and cause less irritation than aluminum chloride products. Aluminum zirconium trichlorohydrex blocks sweat ducts in a similar way to aluminum chloride, but at a more superficial level. It also produces much less HCl, the chemical that causes skin irritation, than typical aluminum chloride formulations. These newer products may provide a solution for people with sweating in more sensitive areas.[1]

Another active ingredient called aluminum sesquichlorohydrate is now being used in some of the newest antiperspirants on the market. It is said to cause less irritation but still effectively reduces sweating. Currently there are no major studies corroborating its effectiveness although these may come in the future.

Antiperspirants for the Face and Groin

There are several antiperspirant options for people with craniofacial hyperhidrosis and for people who experience excessive groin sweating. When choosing an antiperspirant for facial sweating there are two options: to use an antiperspirant originally designed for another part of the body, or to use an antiperspirant designed specifically for the face. There have been no official studies on the effectiveness of antiperspirants in the treatment of craniofacial hyperhidrosis.[3] However, antiperspirants are effectively used by many to manage facial sweating. The skin around the groin area can be just as sensitive as the skin of the face. There are no products that are currently marketed specifically for use in the perineal region, but listed below are antiperspirants that can be safely used on both the face and the groin. Before trying any of these products, speak to a dermatologist. Finding the right antiperspirant may require trial and error, but it can make a big difference in a person’s quality of life. Antiperspirants on one of the most effective ways to reduce and stop excessive face sweating and groin sweating, so it is worth the effort to find the right one.

There is a product on the market that claims to specifically reduce facial sweating. It is marketed towards women who wear makeup, as a way to prevent sweat from ruining their look. They can, however, be useful for anyone who struggles with a sweaty face. Here is a look:

  • Neat Feat 3B Face Saver Antiperspirant Gel for Facial Perspiration and Shine - This product is available on Amazon. It is specifically designed for use on the face and it’s active ingredient is 17.5% aluminum zirconium trichlorohydrex glycine. This would fall into the category of the newer, clinical strength antiperspirants previously mentioned.

    • This is a list of antiperspirants that can be safely used on the face on the face or groin. These antiperspirants are marketed for sensitive skin and contain active ingredients that have scientifically shown to be effective:

  • Duradry PM 10.5mL Gel Unscented - This product has an active ingredient called aluminum chloride hexahydrate mixed with salicylic acid. As mentioned above, this combination can reduce irritation caused by aluminum chloride hexahydrate.
  • Carpe Lotion - This product uses Aluminum Sesquichlorohydrate, a newer formulation that is said to reduce irritation and be effective for treating excessive sweating. It is not specifically marketed for use on the face, but it is sold as being appropriate for sensitive skin.
  • ZeroSweat Lotion Antiperspirant - This is marketed on Amazon as usable for facial sweating, but this does not appear in writing on the bottle. This product also uses Aluminum Sesquichlorohydrate to minimize irritation and reduce sweating.
  • SweatBlock Antiperspirant - Clinical Strength - This product uses aluminum chloride hexahydrate. It is marketed as a “strong antiperspirant”. It doesn’t contain anything to reduce irritation from the active ingredient, so it should only be tried after using other, less irritating products. This may be helpful for those who suffer from more severe sweating who are trying one more OTC product before moving on to other treatment options.

    • A new type of antiperspirant application has recently hit the market, specifically, companies are using antiperspirant wipes to help people apply antiperspirant more easily. Carpe antiperspirant wipes, in particular, are made to be safe for sensitive skin and could be beneficial for those who have excessive sweating on the face or groin. The wipes make the product easier to apply and it leaves less residue than other types of antiperspirants. Carpe antiperspirant wipes use 15% aluminum chlorohydrate which is a newer generation antiperspirant that is thought to produce less irritation than older active ingredients.[1][4]

    Sweating on either the face or groin can cause sufferers to experience the anxiety that often accompanies hyperhidrosis. While these antiperspirants are not perfect, they may allow sweat sufferers to find quick relief from a non invasive and safe source. If over-the-counter antiperspirants do not provide enough relief, then patients should look into trying some of the other medical treatment options that are available, as well as incorporating anxiety reduction techniques that can reduce sweating into their routine. Choosing clothes that are lightweight and breathable can also help, and there are specific clothes that are best for dealing with excessive sweat. Most people can find relief, it often just a matter of experimenting and finding the product that works.[4]

    If you are wondering why you sweat from your face so much, there may be several reasons. The same is true for groin sweating. Read up on the causes of these conditions to get a better understanding of why you are struggling.

    Sources
    1. Pariser, D. M. (2014). Hyperhidrosis (4th ed., Vol. 32). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier.
    2. Wollery-Lloyd, H., MD, & Valins, W. (2009). Aluminum Chloride Hexahydrate in a Salicylic Acid Gel: A Novel Topical Agent for Hyperhidrosis with Decreased Irritation. Clinical Aesthetic Dermatology, 2(6). Retrieved September 17, 2018.
    3. Nicholas, R., Quddus, A., & Baker, D. M. (2015). Treatment of Primary Craniofacial Hyperhidrosis: A Systematic Review. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 16(5), 361-370. doi:10.1007/s40257-015-0136-6
    4. Innovation Counter. (2018). Final Product Profile Carpe Antiperspirant Wipes [Brochure]. North Carolina: Author.
    5. Huddle, J. R. (2014). Hyperhidrosis: Causes, Treatment Options and Outcomes. New York, NY: Nova Science.
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    Antiperspirant

    What You Need to Know About Carpe Clinical Regimen

    By Katie Crissman /

    One of the newest clinical strength antiperspirants to hit the market is Carpe’s Clinical Grade Regimen - it combines several high performing products with a specific care routine to provide long term sweat reduction for even the heaviest sweaters. Read on to see if Carpe Clinical Regimen is right for you!

    Antiperspirant is great - for most people. You apply it once a day and it stops your sweat! It’s easy. But, what if that’s not what happened? You bought it, read the label, and used it exactly as directed and, unfortunately, you’re still sweating - excessively. If this is you, then you’ve come to the right place. There are products specifically made for heavy sweaters who haven’t had luck with traditional antiperspirants. These products typically include the words “extra strength”, “clinical strength” or “prescription strength” and they are, thankfully, available over the counter without a doctor’s prescription. 


    The difference between clinical strength products and their weaker counterparts are the active ingredients they use. Clinical strength lines typically use one of several newer types of metallic salt ingredients that are known to be both stronger and less irritating than aluminum chloride (which is the standard active ingredient in antiperspirants) [1]. While there are many clinical strength products on the market, we are going to focus on a new clinical strength regimen that combines a strong active ingredient with a specific care routine to get excessive sweating under control. 


    Carpe Clinical Regimen -  What It Is and How It’s Different

    One of the newest clinical strength antiperspirants to hit the market is Carpe’s Clinical Grade Regimen. It’s different from other prescription grade products because it combines several strong products with a specific care routine to ensure maximum product performance. It’s also different from Carpe’s other products because it uses a stronger active ingredient and delivery system. The system is geared toward people who experience intractable armpit sweating, but Carpe also makes products for people who struggle with other types of sweat. The Carpe Clinical Grade Underarm includes three specific products that, when used together, have been found to be highly effective at reducing sweat production. These products include:

    • Carpe Clinical Grade Underarm Antiperspirant 
    • Carpe Clinical Grade Exfoliating Wash
    • Carpe Clinical Grade Underarm Wipes[2]

    Carpe Clinical Grade Regimen uses an active ingredient called Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex GLY (20%) combined with other soothing inactive ingredients to effectively stop sweat in its tracks while reducing skin irritation.[3] Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex is a newer generation metallic salt that stops sweat production and is known to be more effective than other types of active ingredients antiperspirants typically use. One study mentioned in the journal Dermatologic Clinics found that antiperspirants using Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex were, on average, 34% more effective than antiperspirants that used aluminum chloride as an active ingredient.[1] Carpe’s traditional products use an active ingredient called Aluminum Sesquichlorohydrate at 15% which is effective, but less potent than Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex.[4]


    It’s important to note that Carpe’s Clinical Grade Regimen provides a long term impact on sweat reduction from making short term lifestyle changes. This is because the results build up over time and peak at about 4 weeks. It takes 4 weeks of using the Carpe clinical grade products once each morning and every other night to see the full effect of what they can do. This is typical of all antiperspirants as their effects tend to build up with consistent use. Consistently using antiperspirant products is especially important for those with hard to treat sweat problems because it can be the difference between treatment success or failure.[1][2] 


    If you’re frustrated with the way your current antiperspirant is working or how it isn’t working, then consider giving Carpe’s Clinical Grade Regimen a try! It’s active ingredient is comparable to other prescription strength products on the market but it’s multistep system with easy to use wipes is completely unique! Remember, an easy to use, consistent antiperspirant routine is going to give you long term sweat reduction so it’s important to find a system that works for your lifestyle. 


    Sources
    1. Pariser, D. M. (2014). Hyperhidrosis (4th ed., Vol. 32). Amsterdam: Elsevier Pub. Co., 2014. Retrieved from https://www.elsevier.com/books/hyperhidrosis-an-issue-of-dermatologic-clinics/pariser/978-0-323-32607-0>https://www.elsevier.com/books/hyperhidrosis-an-issue-of-dermatologic-clinics/pariser/978-0-323-32607-0
    2. How It Works (Clinical). Carpe. https://mycarpe.com/pages/how-it-works-clinical. 
    3. Clinical Underarm  PM Wipes. Carpe. https://mycarpe.com/products/clinical-grade-underarm-antiperspirant-wipes?variant=34814174724229
    4. Underarm Antiperspirant for Excessive Underarm Sweating. Carpe. https://mycarpe.com/products/underarm-antiperspirant-tube?variant=39247505358981
    Antiperspirant

    8 Random & Interesting Facts about Excessive Armpit Sweating

    By Daniel McCarthy /

    8 Random & Interesting Facts about Excessive Armpit Sweating

    Our worries about shirt stains, sweaty underarms, and smelly armpits may dominate how we think about excessive armpit sweating. Hey, we may even avoid thinking about these all together. But guess what? There are some random and interesting facts that just may change how you think about excessive underarm sweating! Let’s take a look: 

    Fact number 1: Sweat by itself ISN’T smelly

    Sweat is often associated with smelliness. But by itself, it doesn’t smell AT ALL. The reason sweat can smell (in places like your armpit) isn’t really about sweat. It’s about the sweat glands (and hair)! Apocrine glands are the biggest of sweat-producing glands and are usually located near hair. It’s this combo that leads to smelly armpits.

    Fact number 2: Excessive armpit sweating is as old as cavemen

    Hang with me here. Excessive underarm sweating is connected to the fight-or-flight response ingrained in even the most ancient of human predecessors. This excessive armpit sweating response has helped humans survive for millenia. And yep, it means our cavemen ancestors likely had sweating armpits, too. Even though they didn’t have to worry about shirt stains like us, we have the benefit of products like carpe underarm and antiperspirant in general to help with our excessive armpit sweating.  

    Fact number 3: Famous people worry about excessive armpit sweating too

    Michael Gary Scott, fearless and deliciously cringeworthy leader of Dunder Mifflin Scranton on the show The Office, is perfectly played by actor Steve Carell. Carell seemed to play the role with such ease, comfort, and confidence that nobody would ever know he was worried about excessive underarm sweating due to his hyperhidrosis. Co-star Rainn Wilson (Dwight Schrute on the show) even pointed out that the set temperature was a cool 64 degrees to keep Carell’s sweaty underarms from becoming the focus of the scene. 

    Even though Carell’s excessive armpit sweating wasn’t part of the show, I like to think Michael’s approach to sweat stains could be summed up by his famous line:  “I knew exactly what to do. But in a much more real sense, I had no idea what to do.” 

    Fact number 4: Other celebrities combat hyperhidrosis too

    Steve Carell is not the only notable person looking for the best sweat prevention. As a longtime vampire and real-life human with hyperhidrosis, Robert Pattinson is another actor who combats hyperhidrosis (and werewolves) on the regular. 

    Like Pattinson and Carell, Halle Berry also has hyperhidrosis. Famously, Berry confidently showed her sweat stains on the Ellen Show back in 2010. So when you’re feeling a little self-conscious about your own excessive underarm sweating, remember you too can confidently move through your day like Berry barring her pits for the world. 

    Fact number 5: Ventilation over here please!

    If you’re still worried about how to get rid of pit stains, some ventilation could provide a brief respite. Because we sometimes get pesky pit stains, it can feel like our excessive underarm sweating is due to our pits proclivity to produce the most amount of sweat. Yet, this annoying issue is more commonly attributed to a lack of ventilation, although sweaty armpit causes cannot be narrowed to one thing. Still, a little ventilation and clinical strength antiperspirant can go a long way in dealing with pesky pit stains and excessive armpit sweating. 

    Fact number 6: An underappreciated aspect of a non-meat diet

    Sometimes even the best antiperspirant and deodorant may not feel like enough to help with excessive armpit sweating and underarm smell. That’s okay though because there are other interesting ways to approach this issue. A 2006 study showed that women found mens’ armpit odor “more attractive, more pleasant, and less intense” when these men ate a non-meat diet [1]. If you haven’t already thought about eating less meat, the improved aroma of your pits (and the kitchen) may be another reason to eat a non-meat diet. 

    Fact number 7: Fashion matters

    Choosing clothes is a fashion statement for many. And while fashion may matter more to some than others, there’s one interesting reason we can all get behind to choose our clothes. Our clothing choices can help deal with excessive underarm sweating. That’s right, there are clothes, materials, styles, and pads that all can help with excessive armpit sweating as well as excessive sweating and shirt stains in general. 

    Fact number 8: You aren’t alone

    An estimated 2-3% of the US population suffers from axillary hyperhidrosis (excessive underarm sweating). Even though this percentage may seem small, 3% of the US population is right around 10 million people. That’s like all of NYC combating excessive armpit sweating at the same time. It can be easy to feel isolated in dealing with hyperhidrosis, but there’s some comfort in knowing many others are dealing with the same worries. 

    Sources

     

    1. Havlicek, J., & Lenochova, P. (2006). The Effect of Meat Consumption on Body Odor Attractiveness. Retrieved from https://academic.oup.com/chemse/article/31/8/747/364338
    Antiperspirant

    7 Effective Tips to Stop Sweaty Hands

    By Daniel McCarthy /

    7 Effective Tips to Stop Sweaty Hands 

    Not sure how to stop sweaty hands and excessive sweating? You aren’t alone! Whether you’re working from home, gaming, or just trying to get your phone to recognize your thumbprint, it can get pretty dang annoying to constantly worry about how to stop having sweaty hands. In this article, we’ll cover 7 effective ways to help you stop sweaty hands:

      1. Reduce your stress
      2. Try (the right) antiperspirant
      3. Iontophoresis
      4. Check with your doctor about underlying conditions
      5. Medications
      6. Give a Botox shot 
      7. Take a more surgical approach

    1.  Reduce your stress 

    This one is often easier said than done - but it can help a lot. Research has shown that higher levels of anxiety cause sweat glands to become more active [1]. This is particularly true for hand sweating. 

    Figuring out how to stop sweaty hands looks different for each person, but there are some relaxing activities that can either prevent sweat or help control it once it’s begun. Some possible activities to reduce your stress include listening to your favorite music, getting enough sleep, and exercising daily. Other helpful techniques include deep breathing and stretching. Everyone is different, so try some of these other tips to find what works best for you. 

    2. Try (the right) antiperspirant

    You’re relaxed, but maybe you’re still trying to work out how to stop having sweaty hands? While reducing stress is a beneficial home remedy, it should be combined with other easy-to-use remedies. Some home remedies, such as baking soda or apple cider vinegar, may help with hyperhidrosis, but the next best step is over-the-counter antiperspirant. 

    Antiperspirants are great at preventing clam hands and often work better than deodorants to stop excessive sweating. Antiperspirants for hands are especially important in how to stop sweaty hands. Others prefer anti sweat wipes. Finding the right hand antiperspirant is an important step to combat sweaty hands. 

    3. Iontophoresis

      Hate needles? Need to figure out how to stop sweaty hands? Iontophoresis may be for you. This method uses mild electrical currents to treat your hands while they’re submerged in water. And although iontophoresis sessions may be performed at a doctor’s office, some people choose to purchase their own iontophoresis machines for at-home treatment [2].  

      While this method can be a bit harder on the wallet, if you can pay upfront for a machine, you may save by avoiding paying for every visit to the doctors. However, if you don’t see progress after a few weeks, talk to your doctor to discuss how to stop your sweaty hands from affecting your daily life. 

      4. Check with your doctor about underlying conditions

      It can be easy to write off sweaty hands as a reaction to anxiety or nervousness. But sometimes sweaty hands can be caused by underlying conditions. These conditions might include diabetes, low blood sugar, overactive thyroid, infections, and other issues. To learn more on how to stop sweaty hands that may be connected to underlying conditions, it is best to talk to a medical professional about your hyperhidrosis needs. 

      5. Medications

      In addition to talking about your underlying conditions, a medical professional may also suggest a prescription to help with sweaty hands. More specifically, your dermatologist may prescribe an oral medication for hyperhidrosis like a series of pills known as anticholinergics, which help your body produce less sweat. Like pills, topical creams may also be prescribed to help reduce excessive sweating. These creams are made up of solutions that will decrease the amount of sweat released, including hand sweat. If medications don’t cut it for you, you may need to take one of the two steps below. 

      6. Give botox a shot

        You may be thinking, I’m not sure how to stop sweaty hands, so why are you recommending botox? While many may not associate botox with hyperhidrosis, it can significantly reduce excessive sweating, including in your hands [3] . While botox may solve how to stop having sweaty hands, this method can cause temporary pain or weakness of the hands, so it is crucial that you consult a medical professional for appropriate botox delivery. 

        7. Take a more surgical approach. This one is only for serious sweaters who have tried everything else.

        If you can’t figure out how to stop having sweaty hands after trying these first six tips, you might consider surgical treatment for primary focal hyperhidrosis. While botox is a less invasive surgery, significantly more invasive procedures include endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy​ or an endoscopic lumbar sympathectomy. These names may be hard to pronounce, but these surgeries can provide significant relief for people with certain kinds of severe hyperhidrosis. Of course, try less invasive options first, and talk to a medical professional before deciding to take a more surgical approach. 

        There may be no one-size-fits-all solution for how to stop sweaty hands, but hopefully one of, or a combo of these tips help you enjoy life a bit more and worry about sweat a bit less. 

        Sources

        1. Huddle, J. R. (2014). Hyperhidrosis: Causes, Treatment Options and Outcomes. New York, NY: Nova Science.
        2. Pariser, D. M. (2014). Hyperhidrosis (4th ed., Vol. 32). Amsterdam: Elsevier Pub. Co., 2014. Retrieved from <a href=https://www.elsevier.com/books/hyperhidrosis-an-issue-of-dermatologic-clinics/pariser/978-0-323-32607-0>https://www.elsevier.com/books/hyperhidrosis-an-issue-of-dermatologic-clinics/pariser/978-0-323-32607-0</a>
        3. Lakraj, A. A., Moghimi, N., & Jabbari, B. (2013). Hyperhidrosis: anatomy, pathophysiology and treatment with emphasis on the role of botulinum toxins. Toxins, 5(4), 821–840. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins5040821
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