How to Sweat Less
Help for Excessive Sweating

Understand the causes of excessive sweating and discover effective ways to manage it.

Read Time

5 min

In short:

Why Do We Sweat?
What is Excessive Sweating?
6 Causes of Excessive Sweating
Who Sweats More? – Men or Women
Facts Overview
How To Help Sweat Less
NIVEA Derma Control Deodorants
Summary
FAQs

Why Do We
Sweat?

Sweat is a natural bodily function that helps regulate body temperature and keep you cool. Produced by sweat glands located all over the body, sweat is mostly made up of water and salt. When your body temperature rises due to heat, exercise, or stress, your sweat glands release moisture onto your skin, which then evaporates to cool you down. While sweating is essential for maintaining your body's temperature, excessive sweating can be uncomfortable when it occurs more than necessary.

Excessive Sweating Explained

What Is
Excessive Sweating?

Excessive sweating, also known as hyperhidrosis, is a condition where the body produces more sweat than is necessary for temperature regulation. While sweating is a natural mechanism to cool the body, individuals with hyperhidrosis experience overactive sweat production, which can occur even without typical triggers such as heat, exercise, or stress. Understanding the causes of excessive sweating is essential for identifying appropriate treatment options.

Excessive Sweating Causes

6 Causes of
Excessive Sweating

Recognising your triggers is the first step in learning how to prevent sweating effectively. Common causes of excessive sweating include:

1
Primary Hyperhidrosis:
This type is often hereditary, meaning if a relative has it, you might too. Other than genetics, there are usually no obvious causes, and it typically affects localised areas such as the hands, feet, and face.

2
Secondary Hyperhidrosis:
This type of excessive sweating is usually caused by underlying health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, or anxiety. Unlike primary hyperhidrosis, it often affects the entire body rather than specific areas. It can also occur during sleep in the form of night sweats, which are often triggered by hormonal changes, medications, or underlying health conditions. Please be sure to seek medical attention if you're worried or experiencing symptoms.

3
Environmental Factors:
High temperatures, humidity, and physical exercise can cause the body to sweat more than usual. Your body's natural cooling process activates to maintain a balanced temperature.

4
Emotional Stress:
Anxiety, nervousness, or emotional triggers can result in increased sweating. This is often most noticeable in social or stressful situations.

5
Medical Conditions:
Conditions like hyperthyroidism, diabetes, or menopause can cause excessive sweating. If you are concerned about excessive sweating, it's recommended to consult with a doctor to identify potential underlying causes and receive appropriate treatment.

6
Diet & Lifestyle:
Spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol can trigger excessive sweating by stimulating the nervous system, raising body temperature, and increasing heart rate.

Sweating Differences

Who Sweats More?
Men or Women

You might have noticed that some people seem to sweat more than others—and yes, gender can play a part. On average, men do tend to sweat more than women, especially during exercise. This is primarily due to natural differences in body composition and hormones. Men typically have more muscle mass and higher testosterone levels, which can lead to a greater number and size of sweat glands. However, individual factors such as fitness level, temperature, and stress can also affect how much we sweat. Therefore, while general trends exist, sweating remains a highly individual experience.

Excessive Sweating

Facts Overview

Causes of Excessive Sweating?
Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating which may be due to genetic factors (primary hyperhidrosis) or underlying health problems (secondary hyperhidrosis), and which may be triggered by heat, stress, or occur for no apparent reason.

Preventions for Excessive Sweating:
Wear breathable fabrics, stay hydrated, manage stress, and avoid sweat-triggering foods like caffeine and spices.

Solutions for Controlling Sweating:
Antiperspirants can help control sweat and odour, but if you're sweating excessively and don't know what's causing it, you may require advice from a healthcare professional who can help you identify the cause and prescribe appropriate treatment.

How To Help
Sweat Less

Sweating is a natural function of the body and can't be prevented entirely. However, if you sweat a lot and it bothers you, here are some practical tips to protect against perspiration and that might help you to reduce the amount that you do. In the event of excessive sweating, it is important to consult a physician to check for the absence of underlying diseases.

Use Effective Antiperspirants:

NIVEA antiperspirant deodorants are expertly formulated to offer reliable protection against sweat and body odour. Whether you prefer a quick-drying spray, ideal for on-the-go freshness and strong sweat control, or a gentle roll-on, which provides targeted, long-lasting protection—there's a format to suit every routine, to help you feel fresh and confident throughout the day. If you don't want to block perspiration but want a product that specifically combats the odors caused, opt for a deodorant instead.

NIVEA Deodorants

Wear Breathable Fabrics

Opt for lightweight, moisture-wicking materials to help keep your skin dry. Natural fibres like cotton and linen are particularly effective in reducing sweat buildup.

Manage Stress

Practising relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation can help lower stress levels. Reduced stress can mean less sweating triggered by anxiety or nervousness.

Your Diet

Avoid consuming foods and drinks that trigger sweating, such as caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods. Making healthier dietary choices can significantly reduce excessive sweating.

Regular Showers

While a shower routine won't prevent sweating, maintaining a consistent hygiene routine helps wash away sweat, bacteria, and odour, leaving your skin feeling clean, fresh, and comfortable. Using a caring body wash, such as one with a delicate floral fragrance or a refreshing citrus scent, not only cleanses but also nourishes the skin.

NIVEA Body Wash

Discover
NIVEA Derma Control Deodorants

If you experience excessive sweating, the NIVEA Derma Control Clinical Ultra Comfort range is designed to help you stay protected and comfortable throughout the day. With extreme protection against sweat and odour for up to 100 hours, the range is designed to provide reliable care when you need it most.

If you tend to sweat a lot and have sensitive skin, the NIVEA Derma Control Deodorant range is designed with you in mind. This advanced formula associates Hyaluron and skin-essential vitamins, delivering powerful 72-hour protection while being exceptionally gentle on the skin. Available in spray, stick, and roll-on formats, Derma Control not only helps to tackle sweat and odour but also helps prevent irritation before it starts—so you can feel dry, calm, and confident all day. Find the right deodorant for you:

NIVEA Derma Control Defend: The NIVEA Derma Control Defend range, with Pure Hyaluron and Pro-Vitamin B5, defends your skin against irritation from shaving whilst providing extra comfort.

NIVEA Derma Control Natural Tone: The NIVEA Derma Control Natural Tone range, with Pure Hyaluron and Vitamin C, helps to reduce dark areas and recovers an even skin tone. The anti-perspirants offer 72h* sweat and odour protection whilst leaving your underarms softer and beautiful with a healthy skin feeling.

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NIVEA Derma Control Restore: The NIVEA Derma Control Restore range, with Pure Hyaluron and Vitamin E, calms irritated skin after shaving. The anti-perspirants offer 72h sweat and odour protection whilst leaving your underarms softer and beautiful with a healthy skin feeling. For sensitive skin with hypoallergenic fragrance.

Uncover the
NIVEA Men Derma Control Deodorants

Designed to address sensitive skin needs, the Derma Control range, with Hyaluronic Acid and vitamins, protects against perspiration while helping to strengthen skin and give it a healthy appearance.

NIVEA MEN Sensitive Derma Control: NIVEA MEN Derma Control Sensitive Anti-Perspirant, with pure Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin E, offers protection against irritations and provide gentle care. Reliable 72h* anti-perspirant protection that cares for your skin.
^{*Instrumental test, 20 participants}

NIVEA MEN Defend Derma Control: NIVEA MEN Derma Control Defend provides extra comfort feeling with reliable 72H anti-perspirant protection. Advanced Formula with Pure Hyaluron and Pro-vitamin B5 helps strengthen the skin and helps to defend against itchiness while nourishing the skin.

Excessive Sweating at a Glance

Summary

Sweating doesn't have to control your life. By understanding its causes and learning how to sweat less with practical advice and reliable products such as the NIVEA deodorants, you can regain your confidence and feel fresh all day long. Seek medical advice in the event of unexplained excessive sweating to identify the underlying causes and determine the appropriate treatment.