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Sweaty palms? We asked dermatologists for the 'skin'-ny on this popular antiperspirant lotion
There's still officially another month of summer left, but for anyone who experiences sweaty hands year-round, every day might feel like a scorcher. This condition, called palmar hyperhidrosis, is more common than you might think. (A 2016 study estimated that at the time, over 15 million Americans were affected by excessive sweating.) While it's nothing to be ashamed of, having perspiring palms 24/7 just isn't very comfortable — and there are products that can help. Carpe Antiperspirant Hand Lotion, for instance, is an affordable option with thousands of Amazon fans. But what do dermatologists think? Keep reading to find out.
At $20, it's pretty affordable — but does it work?
The pros break it down
We were curious to know how sweat-relieving creams like Carpe even work in the first place, so we spoke to board-certified dermatologists Dr. Amy Forman Taub and Dr. Anne Marie Leger of Advanced Dermatology to get the professional scoop.
"Carpe and similar antiperspirant products contain aluminum salt, an antiperspirant ingredient," explained Dr. Leger. "Aluminum salts work by blocking sweat ducts, specifically the eccrine glands," added Dr. Taub. "What sets different antiperspirants apart is which salt the product is formulated with and its concentration. While aluminum salts can be irritating, aluminum sesquichlorohydrate, found in products like Carpe, is less irritating than products that contain aluminum chloride, yet weaker."
While it might not be quite as potent as other options, Carpe's lotion still falls within the range to be effective. "When treating excessive hand sweating, a higher aluminum concentration (12%–30%) is required and should be applied twice daily for optimal results," said Dr. Taub. (Carpe contains aluminum sesquichlorohydrate at 15%.)
Blocking sweat glands makes sense when it comes to keeping clammy hands at bay, but you also don't want to go too far in the other direction and wind up with parched palms! Luckily, Carpe is formulated with nourishing ingredients like eucalyptus oil to help boost the skin's moisture barrier (while providing a pleasant scent). At any rate, you'll only want to use a pea-sized amount each morning and night. Less is more!
The verdict
So, is it worthy of a doctor's recommendation? "Yes, these types of products are effective," said Dr. Leger, who noted that there are also FDA-approved prescription alternatives for more severe cases. "Carpe products are formulated with different concentrations of aluminum sesquichlorohydrate and appear legitimate," Dr. Taub weighed in, adding, "It is important to discuss your hyperhidrosis concerns with your dermatologist, as a patient might tolerate a more potent antiperspirant formulation or might be a better candidate for alternative solutions."
What reviewers are saying
Consulting your doctor is always the way to go, but if you're looking for a relatively low-cost, OTC remedy to try, Carpe Antiperspirant Hand Lotion has over 8,400 fans who achieved great results.
"I've suffered from hyperhidrosis (on my hands) since I was a child," explained a (now) relieved reviewer. "Anyone with this condition knows how frustrating this can be. My hands sweat so much that sometimes I can't even turn a doorknob. Writing on paper with sweaty hands is almost impossible. I've tried many things in the past and none have worked ... I've been using this for a few days now. From day one I noticed a big difference. I absolutely love and will continue to use it."
"This product is comparable to the relief experienced from the topical prescriptions I have used in the past," shared a fellow Carpe convert. "It’s effective for a short time once applied, it can withstand several hand washings/showers and still maintain some of its effectiveness ... I have found that after a day, I need to reapply the next day to maintain dryness. I would definitely recommend to anyone who suffers from excessive sweating. It will dry out your hands if applied frequently, but coming from someone whose hands are always sweaty, I would rather have them too dry."
This concise customer may have summed it up best: "Love it! No more clammy hands."
Just a twice-daily dab'll do ya!
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The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
