Tips for Best Results-OTC

Use the tips below to get the most out of your over-the-counter (OTC) antiperspirant.

• Choose a soft-solid formula, and make sure it's an antiperspirant, not just a deodorant. There's a BIG difference. Deodorants, on their own, don't prevent sweating, they just reduce odor by limiting odor-causing bacteria.
• Consider using a stronger over-the-counter antiperspirant. Check out the listings on our Fan Faves page for products made by companies that support our work and understand hyperhidrosis. 
• Apply antiperspirant once in the morning and again prior to bedtime. Application twice daily—and especially before bedtime—has been studied to provide the most benefit. If you are only going to apply once, then make it before you go to bed.
• Gently massaging the antiperspirant into the skin may be useful.
• To avoid irritation, only apply antiperspirant to completely dry skin. Dry your skin with a hair dryer on a cool setting or with a towel, if necessary. If there is any sweat or water on your skin, when you apply the antiperspirant, you will create skin irritation and stinging.
• If you have sensitive skin or experience irritation, avoid antiperspirants that contain a fragrance. Fragrance can sometimes cause irritant or contact dermatitis. Don't worry, unscented antiperspirants block odors, too. The active ingredients in antiperspirants inhibit odor-causing bacteria, thereby minimizing body odor. Note that deodorants almost always contain a fragrance and that can lead to irritation, other ingredients in deodorants - like essential oils, can contribute to an allergic reaction. 
• Never occlude, or wrap your skin in plastic, when using antiperspirants. This will only increase skin irritation and has not been proven to improve benefit whatsoever.
• If you suffer from an annoyingly sweaty face, consider applying an antiperspirant along your hairline. Follow the application tips mentioned above, but test the product on a tiny area of skin first to make sure that it won’t cause irritation.
• Aerosol antiperspirant products are particularly useful for managing sweaty feet. Spray an antiperspirant on the bottom of your feet and in between your toes as a first-line treatment. (Be sure to read our Antiperspirant Spray Recall Report here first.) Antiperspirant wipes are a convenient option for the feet as well as other body areas.
• Remember, it is common to combine treatments to strike the best balance for your sweat management. Consider combining Botox injections with an antiperspirant, for example, for longer lasting effects.