While sweat is a totally normal part of being a human being, it can be uncomfortable and embarrassing if you sweat excessively. Whether you’re dripping wet from a heavy workout, or you simply need a deodorant refresher by noon, it can be challenging to try to stay dry when you sweat more than others.
There are many, many contributing factors that go into the amount you sweat on a daily basis. There are also many things you can do to reduce the amount you sweat. One of the best is getting a good deodorant to do the job.
If you’re interested to learn more about why you might sweat a lot or how deodorant works to stop it, stay tuned until the end of this article. If you’re ready to dive into our favorite deodorants to reduce sweating in men, move on to the next section!
Any man ready to get his sweat production under control needs our list of best deodorants for men who sweat a lot. We considered many criteria before choosing the following options.
1. Blu Atlas Deodorant
We’ve been nothing but impressed by the natural skincare company Blu Atlas, and their deodorant seems to work exceptionally for men who sweat a lot. We love that the product is natural and doesn’t use any harsh ingredients, including aluminum, to get the job done.
To stay fresh all day, you can use this deodorant anywhere on your body that tends to accumulate sweat and odor-causing bacteria.
Coco-caprylate and volcanic ash are the secret ingredients here. Coco-caprylate is a natural emollient that treats the skin for a smooth and nourished finish. Your skin will be softer and drier as a result.
Volcanic ash, also known as bentonite, is highly absorbent. The fine particles collect moisture so they don’t dampen your pits and shirt. It also helps pull any impurities out of the skin and absorbs excess oil. This can help tighten your pores, which looks better and means less sweating in the future.
And one of our absolute favorite things about this product is the subscribe-and-save program. You can subscribe for monthly shipments and save 20% on each stick. You’re saving money, and you don’t have to worry about forgetting deodorant because it comes right to your door every month. Can’t beat that!
2. Harry’s Antiperspirant
You might be familiar with Harry’s as the brand that sells premium shaving products, but they also have a skincare line that’s quite impressive. Their antiperspirant is a great solution for sweaty men who need 24-hour protection.
It’s a deodorant solid stick that doesn’t leave any residue and helps cool and soothe the skin. If you shave your pits, you’ll love that it contains jojoba oil, which reduces inflammation and irritation on the skin.
It also smells great! You can choose from four masculine scents that are either sweet or spicy to cover any lingering odor.
While Harry’s isn’t an all-natural product, nor is it aluminum-free, it does use natural ingredients to soothe skin and create a fragrance. This makes it better for those with sensitive skin.
3. Degree Men Antiperspirant Deodorant
This product by Degree is an easy-to-access and straightforward solution for your antiperspirant needs. It’s a tried and true formula that helps stop sweat and keep you feeling fresh.
Degree Men’s antiperspirant offers 48-hour production and uses aluminum to reduce sweating. It also includes beads of fragrance that are motion-activated, so as you move and sweat more, the scent is released to keep you fresh.
The reviews speak for themselves on this one. Men who have tried it love the scent, how it goes on clear, and how accessible it is. You can get it at any drug store for just a few dollars.
Our main complaint with this one is that it’s not aluminum-free, and your body can get used to the formula after a while. That means you’ll have to switch to another deodorant for a while to keep the antiperspirant effective. But since it’s so cheap, that’s not such a big deal to most people.
4. Certain Dri Everyday Strength Clinical Deodorant
Certain Dri is a go-to recommendation - as one of the best deodorants for men who sweat a lot - for many primary healthcare physicians. It’s an affordable, highly effective tool for stopping excess sweating and keeping the wearer fresh and clean. It also comes in a prescription-strength formula for those who need extra dryness.
Certain Dri is a roll-on deodorant that you use at night. It contains about 20% aluminum, which is much higher than a regular antiperspirant. At night, the aluminum does a better job of penetrating your pores to block sweat glands because you don’t sweat as much at night.
Usually, you’ll use it daily for the first week or two and then taper off your usage to once or twice per week. Then, you can follow up in the morning with an everyday deodorant.
This is an excellent product for those who have found no success with their other antiperspirant options. However, it can be harsh and is not great for sensitive skin. The high aluminum content can also be undesirable to some. Still, it’s affordable and can be a fantastic option for many.
5. SweatBlock Antiperspirant Wipes and Deodorant
If you need maximum strength sweat-blocking coverage, SweatBlock Antiperspirant Wipes and Deodorant bundle is for you. It’s excellent for hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating, or even a really good workout.
This bundle includes both the wipes and deodorant stick. Both contain aluminum to block sweat glands and keep you drier, so you’ll only want to use both if you sweat a mild-to-moderate amount. You’ll use a combination of the two to treat severe sweating and hyperhidrosis.
The wipes are meant for use just before bed. You’ll use them once per week to help clear your armpits of any debris and put long-lasting aluminum coverage over your pores. Then, you’ll follow up with the antiperspirant deodorant stick during the day. Together, they work exceptionally to rid your armpits of pesky sweat and odor-causing bacteria. It’s just too bad that they’re pumped full of aluminum rather than using more natural ingredients.
6. Art of Sport Deodorant
Men who often hit the gym and need extra-strength protection before, during, and after working up a good sweat seem to love Art of Sport deodorant products. The company makes all-natural deodorants free of aluminum, phthalates, parabens, and more. It goes on smooth and clear and smells fantastic.
Because it doesn’t contain aluminum, Art of Sport deodorant may not be the most effective antiperspirant on this list, but it can still hold its own. It uses arrowroot to soak up extra sweat and matcha to prevent odor-causing bacteria.
This formula has motion-activated beads of fragrance that emit scent when you’re working out and at your smelliest. It’s supposed to offer long-lasting protection, but most users need to reapply at least once per day to get the coverage they need. Still, it’s a great option without aluminum in the formula.
7. Dove Men+Care Clean Comfort Clinical Protection Antiperspirant Deodorant
Dove has an excellent men’s skincare line that includes this powerful antiperspirant deodorant stick. It boasts 24-48-hour protection from wetness and smells. And it’s a trusted name in the hygiene industry, so the company is known for satisfying its customers.
It’s also easy to find and affordable. It contains aluminum to reduce sweat, so it’s not always the most gentle formula. However, it includes other ingredients that cool the armpits and keep them smooth and soft. Because it’s a nourishing formula, it doesn’t offer the same level of dryness as some of the other items on this list, which can benefit those with sensitive skin.
How Do Deodorants and Antiperspirants Stop Sweating?
Understanding how deodorants and antiperspirants work and how they differ from each other is an integral part of choosing the right product. First, let’s define the differences between these two products.
The Food and Drug Administration categorizes any deodorizing product containing aluminum as an antiperspirant. The aluminum effectively blocks your sweat glands to reduce the amount you sweat. Some aluminum-free products might be labeled as antiperspirants because they contain ingredients that soak up sweat, like baking soda. However, it’s not truly an antiperspirant unless it contains aluminum.
A deodorant works to prevent and remove unpleasant odors from your pits. It contains ingredients that fight off bacteria and help to soak up sweat. Most deodorants are aluminum-free, but most deodorant and antiperspirant combination products will contain aluminum.
In most cases, the most effective way to stop sweat is by using an antiperspirant. With aluminum blocking the sweat glands in your pits, your body will expel that water in different areas of your body. These areas don’t breed as much bacteria as the moist area of your arm cavities.
But you don’t have to use an antiperspirant to stay dry. Many deodorants use ingredients that absorb sweat secretions and help to keep your skin hydrated without causing pit stains. A good natural deodorant that doesn’t contain aluminum will detox your armpits of any aluminum through excess sweat. Once the detox period ends after a couple of weeks, your body doesn’t try to produce as much sweat, and the deodorant can often do its job effectively at keeping you dry and fresh.
It’s mostly a matter of preference whether you want to use an antiperspirant or deodorant. If you have sensitive skin or only want to use natural products, aluminum-free deodorants are likely the best option. If you’re desperate to stop sweating, an antiperspirant will probably work best for you.
What Causes Men to Sweat?
If you’ve read this far, you might be interested in delving into the issue of sweat and how it starts. Obviously, everyone sweats, but men tend to sweat more than women. Let’s take a look at the unique needs of men when it comes to sweating.
First of all, sweat is your body’s natural response to certain stressors that heat your body. As you work out or become anxious, your blood starts pumping faster and causes excess heat from the inside out. To keep you from overheating, your body releases a liquid called sweat that helps to cool you down.
Contrary to popular belief, sweat does not stink. In fact, it’s odorless. Your sweat only begins to stink when it’s allowed to linger in dark, moist places, so bacteria begins to grow. That’s why you’ll often have stinky armpits and feet. The conditions of these body parts are ideal for the growth of bacteria.
A good antiperspirant can reduce the amount that you sweat under your armpits or even on your feet if you apply it there. A good deodorant works to kill and prevent the growth of bacteria in these places, effectively reducing unpleasant odors and keeping you feeling fresh.
In general, men tend to sweat more than women for a couple of reasons. First, men are often larger in stature and have more muscle mass than women. As a result, they produce more sweat per gland than women do. Additionally, a higher level of testosterone seems to enhance sweat production.
Some men sweat more in general. There are a few reasons this might be the case, which we’ll discuss in the following sections.
What Medical Explanations Are There for Excess Sweating?
If you feel like you sweat more than most, there might be a medical explanation for it. Here are some of the most common reasons for excess sweat production.
Genetics
You might come from a family of sweaty people. If so, you’re more likely to fall into that category. You’re more likely to develop medical conditions like hyperhidrosis or thyroid problems that can cause excess sweat.
Certain genetic factors can also increase the amount you sweat. For example, if your family members tend to be larger, more muscular, or overweight, you might sweat more because your body has a larger surface area to cover.
Puberty
When your body hits puberty, your sweat glands become more active. The body didn’t produce much sweat before this point, and the sweat it made didn’t stink. But it’s tough to navigate this change as a teenager, which is why teenage boys are often a little stinkier than older men.
As you age, you start to sweat less and less, so you’re less likely to deal with ever-present body odor. It’s one of the few perks of aging!
Hyperhidrosis
Most commonly, excess sweating is due to hyperhidrosis. This title refers to excessive sweating that doesn’t originate with exercise or your body temperature.
Those with hyperhidrosis have a noticeable problem with excess sweating. Their sweat glands majorly overproduce, causing the secretions to soak through their clothing. They might also have sweaty hands and feet, so much so that the sweat drips off the skin.
This excessive sweat can be embarrassing, causing social anxiety. Unfortunately, anxiety is a typical cause of increased sweat production, exacerbating the problem.
You can have primary or secondary hyperhidrosis. Primary hyperhidrosis occurs when your excessive sweating is unrelated to other medical conditions.
Secondary hyperhidrosis usually means that excessive sweating is a symptom of another medical condition like diabetes, thyroid problems, low blood sugar, cancer, heart attack, infections, and nervous system disorders. This version of the condition often goes away when you treat the underlying problem, but you can also treat it using standard hyperhidrosis treatments.
You can’t treat hyperhidrosis with an over-the-counter deodorant or antiperspirant. You’ll need to speak with a doctor about professional medical treatment. Most doctors will prescribe a clinical antiperspirant and other creams or topicals to help with sweating in other areas.
Certain medications can block the nerves associated with excess sweating, too. Botox injections have also reduced sweating in some patients. In extreme cases, surgery is an option.
Thyroid Issues
While thyroid issues are more common in women than men, it’s not impossible for men to have a thyroid imbalance. This is particularly true for those with a genetic history of thyroid issues.
It’s most common with a condition called hyperthyroidism, which can make your body more sensitive to heat. Overheating causes increased sweating.
Diabetes
Diabetes can cause a host of medical issues and unpleasant symptoms, and secondary hyperhidrosis is one of them. Typically, this occurs as a response to low blood sugar. Day or night, a person with diabetes might experience low blood sugar, causing heavy periods of sweating until the body’s insulin is regulated again.
There’s a rare type of excess sweating called gustatory sweating for those with more severe cases of diabetes. They may have suffered nerve damage that causes the body to react to food with extra sweat production on the head and neck. It’s a strange case, but it’s not unheard of.
Certain Medications
Some medications are diaphoretics, which means that they cause you to sweat more than average. You can find a complete list of these medications on the International Hyperhidrosis Society’s website. You can also ask your doctor or pharmacist if your prescription might be causing your excess sweat.
Most medications known as diaphoretics are used to treat blood pressure, cardiovascular issues, chemotherapy, hormone imbalances, and the endocrine system. Some antibiotics and pain medications can also cause it.
Anxiety
One of your body’s panic responses is to sweat more, so when you’re anxious, this is what happens. Stress hormones help signal to your body that you’re in perceived danger. It’s actually your body’s way of releasing liquids, so you don’t have to urinate if you’re fleeing or defending yourself from harm. Neat, huh?
Those with PTSD are more likely to experience excess sweating when feeling triggered. Treatment for anxiety-related sweating is often related to therapy or medications to help manage your anxiety.
Heart Problems
You might know that those who are having a heart attack or stroke tend to sweat excessively before the cardiac event. But that’s not the only time that heart problems can cause extra sweat production.
Anytime your heart is in distress, the body’s natural response is to start pumping blood harder through the arteries to remove any blockages. As a result, your body will heat up, and you’ll need to sweat to cool it down.
If you’re sweating excessively without warning and you have other symptoms related to a cardiac event, it might be wise to get to an emergency room.
Injuries, Everyday Illnesses, and Infections
If you’ve read this far, you likely understand that sweat is a natural defense mechanism to keep your body cool when it’s in distress. Injuries, everyday illnesses like a cold or stomach bug, and infections will all put your body in distress and require cooling. If you get sick or injured, you might sweat extra for a few days or a couple of weeks. If it persists longer than a couple of weeks, it might be associated with another issue.
Obesity
Unfortunately, obesity can cause discomfort in many areas of your life, and excessive sweating is one of them. Those who are overweight or obese have a larger surface area to cool down, so their sweat glands will produce more as a result.
Additionally, those with obesity tend to work up more of a sweat doing everyday tasks like walking, climbing stairs, and other minor forms of exercise. Those with a sedentary lifestyle often sweat more because their bodies must work harder to accomplish the basics.
Should I Be Worried About Excessive Sweating?
Based on the information we’ve provided thus far, it’s clear that excessive sweating could be harmless, or it could indicate a very serious health concern. So when do you need to worry if you’re sweating a lot?
According to the Mayo Clinic, excessive sweating usually does not cause major concern unless you have other symptoms. Most importantly, if your sweating includes lightheadedness, nausea, and chest pain, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Otherwise, you might call your primary healthcare provider if you start sweating more than usual. If it becomes a serious issue that stands in the way of your daily business, or it’s causing social or self-esteem concerns, you should also talk to your provider about your options.
If you start to sweat more than usual all of a sudden or you start having night sweats, consider if these instances have an apparent cause. If you experienced more physical exertion than normal or felt stressed or anxious, that might be the culprit. Illnesses and infections can also increase sweat.
But if you can’t pinpoint the reason for your excess sweating, or it doesn’t go away after the apparent cause does, you might consider talking to your doctor. There are plenty of treatments out there that can help!
Whether you’re getting treatment for hyperhidrosis or you’re just looking to update your hygiene routine, we hope this information was helpful!