It’s official: we’ve reached the season where multiple showers are less of a luxury and more of a necessity. As we prepare our minds and bodies to deal with the relentless sun, the truth is that sweating profusely is the inevitable reality.
As the temperatures shoot up, we’re busy brainstorming innovative strategies to keep the heat at bay and avoid turning into a sweaty puddle (like getting Botox for edges and armpits). After all, the horror of your best makeup look melting away or your expensive attire getting stained with sweat is real, and deodorant can only do so much. In this pursuit of a sweat-free existence, one might consider carrying a trusty hand fan or keeping a cold water bottle on hand, but let’s face it, these hacks can only take us so far.
While TikTok is a gold mine for quirky and fun sweat-busting tricks, professional advice really takes the cake when it comes to managing perspiration. Ahead, some of our favorite industry insiders bring you the ultimate guide to staying comfortable, dry, and cool all summer long.
Experts Featured in This Article
Tyress Salmon is a professional hairstylist based in New York City.
Tisha Thompson is the founder and CEO of makeup brand LYS Beauty.
Louiza Azizian, RN, is an aesthetic injector at 7Q Spa.
Muneeb Shah, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of skin-care brand Remedy.
Use Oil-Free Hair Products
According to hairstylist Tyress Salmon, the key to ensuring your hairstyle lasts through the sweat is one simple tip: switching to oil-free hair products. “I always tell my clients to always clarify shampoo their hair at least once before using a moisturizing shampoo for the second wash,” Salmon tells PS. “This helps to get all the junk out of the pores, which will also help with sweating.” Salmon says using less product in your hair can also extend the life of your hairstyle – especially if you perspire heavily.
Switch Your Order of Makeup Application
When the seasons change, it’s imperative to switch up your makeup products, just like you would with your skin-care regimen. Certain primers, foundations, and blushes are better suited for the fall and winter months, and wearing them in the summertime can lead to a muddled complexion.
“I opt for switching the application in order to add extra layers of protection,” LYS Beauty founder Tisha Thompson says. “After cleansing and moisturizing my skin, I go in with a tacky, silicone-free primer to create an even canvas for the complexion products to lay on. Next, I set my primer with a light dusting of setting powder. Not only is this great for eliminating the look of any texture or large pores, but it creates the perfect base for your concealer, foundation, and other cream-based products to last throughout the day.”
Botox Injections Can Help With Extra-Sweaty Areas
Here’s a fun beauty industry secret: Botox isn’t just for your face. According to injector Louiza Azizian, RN, Botox is a true all-rounder that can be administered just about anywhere on the body. “Traditionally, facial neurotoxin injections such as Botox and Dysport can slow sweat production by blocking nerve signals that cause sweating,” Azizian says. “Besides the face, your provider can treat other areas of hyperhidrosis in nontraditional areas of injections, such as the underarms and the palms of hands.” You might find it surprising, but some beauty lovers even get it injected into their hairlines to keep their hairstyles looking fresher for longer.
Incorporate an Antiseptic Into Your Body-Care Routine
If you’ve decided against wearing traditional aluminum deodorant, dermatologist Muneeb Shah says treating your pits and other sweaty areas with chlorhexidine, an antifungal ingredient, is the key to warding off bad smells and keeping those places cool. “Using chlorhexidine to wash the sweaty areas to reduce odor is very effective,” Dr. Shah says. “It helps to kill and prevent any bacteria that can grow on the skin from over-sweating.”
Stixx Mathews is a New York City-based freelance beauty writer with 11 years of experience who is passionate about telling stories that merge beauty and pop culture. He enjoys sharing his expert insights about the latest trends and must-have products, with a particular focus on lipstick and fragrance.
