In hyperhidrosis, your 2 to 4 million sweat glands work overtime. Using a deodorant with an antiperspirant can help with odors caused by heavy sweating. It can also improve your hygiene and help boost self-confidence.

How do you decide which product to try first? This article explains the differences between deodorants and antiperspirants and what to know about these products if you’re living with hyperhidrosis.

Deodorants vs. Antiperspirants: What’s the Difference?

A 2023 study found that current deodorants and antiperspirants are created with active ingredients that were developed over 50 years ago. That means there’s a lot of research about what works and what ingredients may cause side effects.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, antiperspirants reduce the amount of sweat your body makes. Deodorants, meanwhile, mask body odors caused by sweating and are usually applied in the morning.

The main ingredients in deodorant are:

• Odor absorbers
• Fragrance
• Antimicrobial agents

The main ingredients in over-the-counter (OTC) antiperspirants include:

• Aluminum salts
• Substances that help spray or deliver the product, if it’s an aerosol
• Fragrance

Aluminum salts, such as aluminum chloride, in antiperspirants create a plug at the surface of sweat ducts, which blocks the ducts in sweat glands.

Many brands of deodorants and antiperspirants offer stronger “clinical-strength” formulas with higher concentrations of their main ingredients. These are also available OTC.

Is Deodorant or Antiperspirant Better for Hyperhidrosis?

For people with hyperhidrosis, doctors recommend trying an antiperspirant first to help with excessive sweating. Antiperspirants are sold OTC in grocery stores and pharmacies and are usually affordable.

Starting with an OTC antiperspirant can help you decide if you need something stronger. Be aware that some fragrances in antiperspirants may cause side effects, including skin irritation.

Apply an antiperspirant to clean, dry skin at night and again in the morning if needed. Follow your healthcare provider or dermatologist’s advice about where to use it. Depending on your symptoms, your healthcare provider might suggest applying it to your armpits, palms, or feet or behind your knees.

Finding the right products can be a process of trial and error. One member of MyHyperhidrosisTeam shared, “Nothing works for me at all!”

Another member said, “Sweating is really bad and embarrassing. I’ve tried almost everything. I’m willing to try a deodorant.”

When OTC Antiperspirants Don’t Work for Hyperhidrosis

If OTC antiperspirants — including clinical-strength options — aren’t strong enough to combat sweating, a prescription product may help.

Researchers at the International Hyperhidrosis Society say prescription products are among the most effective antiperspirants. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions to avoid skin irritation.

You may end up alternating products or treatments, since high-strength antiperspirant products can be harsh on your skin. Healthcare providers at Columbia University Medical Center suggest applying these products three times a week to help prevent skin cracking or irritation.

Prescription creams and wipes are also available to treat specific parts of the body, including your head and face, underarms, feet, and hands. Talk with your dermatologist or healthcare provider to see if these options could help reduce excessive sweating.

Preventing Excessive Sweating With Hyperhidrosis

In addition to finding the right deodorant and antiperspirant, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends keeping a journal to learn more about what triggers your sweating. This information can be helpful to share with your healthcare provider.

For some people, eating spicy foods or drinking caffeine or alcohol can cause excessive sweating. Once you learn what triggers your symptoms, try to avoid those things to help reduce sweating.

Questions to think about when collecting information in a journal include:

• When does your sweating happen?
• What were you doing at the time?
• What emotions were you experiencing when you started to sweat?

Sharing these findings with your healthcare provider can help them better understand your hyperhidrosis and create a treatment plan that fits your needs. You can also tell them which OTC antiperspirants and deodorants you’ve tried and ask for suggestions.

Join the Conversation

On MyHyperhidrosisTeam, people share their experiences with hyperhidrosis, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

What works best for you to control excessive sweating from hyperhidrosis? How helpful are deodorants in masking body odor? Let others know in the comments below.