Don't Sweat It! These Tips Will Keep Your Perspiration in Check

If you're still sweating it through the last bit of Summer, there may be some slick-kicking tips you're forgetting that are making the problem worse. The first step is to consider what makeup and skin care you're using. "You should avoid any products which might be, comedogenic, meaning that they can plug pores," said Dr. Carolyn I. Jacob, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist, and founder and medical director of Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology. "They will mix with sweat and add to the problem." So shelve anything that's overly heavy and thick, and make sure to swap it out with something lighter that won't block your pores.

Leaving your makeup on after you're sweating is a recipe for disaster, too. Jacob advises washing your face after you sweat to make sure you're effectively wicking away any added buildup. "Sometimes sweat and oil can combine to create breakouts," Jacobs says. So cleaning off the grime will stop that in its tracks.

When it comes to sunscreen, opt for stick application. "I like stick forms of SPF, such as CeraVe's sunscreen stick ($10), which don't wash off easily with sweat and water." And on top of SPF, never forget your antiperspirant, even in places where you wouldn't think to use it. That means between and under your breasts, down your back, and so on.

Although you may be doing all of the above, sweat can still be a problem, and that's when you've got to call in the big guns. "Hyperhidrosis, or excessive underarm sweating, is excessive sweating beyond what is normally required to maintain consistent body temperature," Jacobs explains. "For people who suffer from excessive underarm sweating, the sweat glands are producing much more sweat than is needed to cool the body. In fact, some people's sweat glands can produce four or five times more sweat than is normal."

Feel like you might fit into this category? Then you might want to pay your doctor a visit. She can present different treatment options like miraDry, a noninvasive treatment, to solve the issue. "It eliminates the sweat glands, and once sweat glands are destroyed, they do not grow back," Jacobs said. "Typically two treatments performed three months apart are required to maximize the results." Also, Botox is FDA-approved for the treatment of excessive underarm sweat, so there are medical options for treating a sweaty condition that's affecting your everyday life. So if you really can't stop sweating the small stuff, talk to your dermatologist to see if there is a medical answer to your issues. You'll be cool as a cucumber by the time next Memorial Day rolls around.

— Additional reporting by Jaime Richards