Can Antiperspirant Make You Sweat More?

One of the most common questions about antiperspirants is if using one can cause you to sweat more. The answer is a bit nuanced.

To start, antiperspirants are different from deodorants, and it's important to know which one you're using.

While deodorants mask body odor, "antiperspirants actually block the pores, or sweat ducts, in the underarms and stop sweat from reaching the surface," says Lucy Chen, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Riverchase Dermatology in Miami.

"Usually, when applied correctly, antiperspirants can block a person's sweat for 24 to 48 hours. So, it's unlikely for antiperspirant to 'wear off' prior to another application unless it's not used in the right way," Dr. Chen says.

Can Antiperspirant Make You Sweat More?

It’s highly unlikely antiperspirant will increase sweat in the location it was applied.

“When applied correctly, antiperspirants should not make someone sweat more in that area," says Lauren Eckert Ploch, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Augusta, Georgia.

You may have heard that compensatory sweating can occur in ‌other‌ areas of your body as a result of using antiperspirant on your armpits, but there is no significant evidence supporting this claim.

Compensatory sweating is more common after surgical sympathectomy, a minimally invasive procedure that interrupts the nerve signal that causes excessive sweating.

If you notice that you're sweating more in other areas, see a board-certified dermatologist who can talk to you about effective ways to manage both underarm and compensatory sweating.

How to Apply Antiperspirant Correctly

"If you feel your antiperspirant is making you sweat more, it is likely that you are applying it incorrectly so that it cannot work to its full potential," Chen says.

Here are some tips for applying this sweat-blocker correctly.

1. Apply at Night

If it works with your schedule, shower at night, wash with a gentle, non-residue soap, and then completely dry your skin, Chen says. After that, apply antiperspirant.

It takes time for antiperspirants to plug sweat glands, and nighttime application is preferable because "sweat glands are more easily blocked when they are not working extremely hard, like they are during the day," Chen says.

You can use a hair dryer on a cool setting to help dry your skin completely.

2. Reapply When Necessary

Most antiperspirants are designed to last at least 24 hours but are washed away over time, according to the International Hyperhidrosis Society, so they must be reapplied when that window of coverage is over.

3. Don’t Apply When You're Already Sweating

It's natural to want to swipe on antiperspirant when you're already sweating, but this is the worst time to apply it.

"Many people continue to apply antiperspirants when they are sweating and will wonder why it's not helping," Chen says. "Aluminum — the active ingredient in antiperspirants — cannot penetrate water or sweat to reach sweat glands."

For best results, apply to clean, dry armpits.

4. Get a Prescription

When your current antiperspirant isn't working, it may be time to trade up.

Talk to your dermatologist about a prescription antiperspirant, Chen says. Excessively sweating can be distressing, but it's common and can be managed with the help of a dermatologist, she adds.

Prescription antiperspirants can use other mechanisms for treatment, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association. You can try different products to find the one that works best for you.