How to Sweat Less | Causes of Excessive Sweating

Why Do We
Sweat?

Sweat is a natural bodily function that helps regulate your body temperature and keep you cool. Produced by sweat glands located all over your 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 feel uncomfortable when it happens more than necessary.

What Is
Excessive Sweating?

Excessive sweating, also known as hyperhidrosis, is a condition where your body produces more sweat than is necessary for temperature regulation. While sweating is a natural mechanism to cool you down, if you live with hyperhidrosis you experience overactive sweat production, which can even happen without typical triggers such as heat, exercise, or stress. Understanding the causes of excessive sweating is essential for finding the treatment options that are right for you.

6 Causes of
Excessive Sweating

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

1
Primary Hyperhidrosis:
This type is often hereditary, meaning if a close relative has it, you might too. Other than genetics, there are usually no obvious causes, and it typically affects localised areas such as your 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 your 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 your body to sweat more than usual. Your body's natural cooling process activates to help 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're concerned about how much you sweat, it's recommended that you chat to 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.

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 mainly 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 your fitness level, temperature, and stress can also affect how much you sweat. So while general trends exist, sweating remains a very personal and 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 sometimes occur for no apparent reason at all.

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

Solutions for Controlling Sweating:
Antiperspirants can help you control sweat and odour, but if you're sweating excessively and don't know what's causing it, you may need 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 your 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 that might help you reduce the amount you do. In the event of excessive sweating, it's important to consult a doctor to check for any underlying diseases.

Use Effective Antiperspirants:

NIVEA antiperspirant deodorants are expertly formulated to offer you 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 and help you feel fresh and confident throughout the day. If you don't want to block perspiration but want a product that specifically combats odours, choose 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 build-up.

Manage Stress

Practising relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation can help lower your stress levels. Less stress can mean less sweating that's triggered by anxiety or nervousness.

Your Diet

Try to avoid foods and drinks that trigger sweating, such as caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods. Making healthier dietary choices can significantly help reduce excessive sweating for you.

Regular Showers

While a shower routine won't prevent sweating, keeping 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 your skin.

NIVEA Body Wash

Discover
NIVEA Derma Control Deodorants

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 combines Hyaluron and skin-essential vitamins, delivering powerful 72-hour protection while being exceptionally gentle on your 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 supports a more 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. Ideal for sensitive skin, with a 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 provides gentle care. You get reliable 72h* anti-perspirant protection that cares for your skin.

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

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 NIVEA deodorants, you can regain your confidence and feel fresh all day long. Always seek medical advice in the event of unexplained excessive sweating to identify any underlying causes and determine the appropriate treatment for you.