Beauty editor & self-confessed excess sweater, Matilda Stanley, explains how to stop perspiration getting in the way of your sun-filled plans
While there are plenty of things I genuinely love about summer – barbecues, long evenings and endless ice creams, to name just a few – there’s often been something getting in the way of me truly enjoying the warm months – and that’s sweat.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a sweaty girl. I first started to notice that I was clammier than average during my early teens. I spent those hormone-fuelled years wearing black to hide any under-arm wet patches and dousing myself with Impulse body spray and deodorant, while panicking about smelling bad around my classmates.
Thankfully by the time I reached my twenties, my sweaty issues settled a bit. But during the long, humid months of July and August, I’d still find myself feeling clammy, uncomfortable and repeatedly complaining that it’s too hot. I’m also curvy and have never come close to having a thigh gap, so on particularly warm days I struggled with the dreaded thigh chafe, too.
The sting from so-called ‘chub rub’ is unbearable, so I spent many summers layering a pair of cycling shorts under my dresses and hoping for the best.
Looking back, I realise that I spent far too much time worrying about my shiny complexion, clammy knees (yes really!) and stinging thighs, and wish I’d hunted down some solutions sooner. I’ve now found my sweat-busting kit and feel like I can handle even the most humid of days without any drama.
Of course, while it’s an uncomfortable nuisance, excessive sweating is nothing to be embarrassed about. Sweating is a totally natural function and we all do it. I spoke to GP, Dr Hannah Hewson, who gave me an insight into the science behind it.
Why do we sweat & why do some of us sweat more than others?
“In short, we sweat to stop our bodies from getting too hot,” says Dr Hewson. “Think about how you feel when you get out the shower… cold. Sweat works in the same way – as it dries on your skin, it cools you down. Sweating also plays a small role in getting rid of some excess fluid from the body. We don’t all sweat the same amount – it depends on our age, size, muscle mass, genetics, health conditions and diet.”
What can influence our sweat levels?
“The amount we sweat is controlled by different things, including hormones (the chemical messengers in our blood). Changes in two key hormones called oestrogen and progesterone make us more sensitive to warm temperatures, which in turn makes us sweat more. This is why having a period or going through major changes such as the menopause or pregnancy can be a sweaty business. As well as hormones, there are certain medical conditions that can make us perspire more than usual – infections, overactive thyroid, diabetes, heart problems and even some types of cancers can present with excess sweating.”
Can too much sweat cause any health concerns?
“Excess sweat can lead to rashes (such as dermatitis), exacerbate the symptoms of eczema and infection,” says Dr Hewson. “Fungal infections thrive on damp, sweaty skin and commonly crop up in feet (athlete’s foot), armpits, under the folds of the breasts and genitals.
“Excess sweating can also affect our mental wellbeing, making us feel unhappy or anxious. As soon as sweating starts to interfere with your daily life, contact a GP to discuss your concerns.”
Keep calm & carry on
Through my job in the beauty industry, I’ve had many opportunities to test products designed to take the edge off a clammy day, and now that I’ve found my favourites, summer feels more bearable. I’m still a sweaty girl but with the right products in my warm weather arsenal, I can look and feel myself all summer, minus any sweat-based stresses. Rather than worrying about my not-so-glam problem, I can just concentrate on enjoying the sunshine.
My hero buys for hot days
L’Oréal Paris Infallible 32H Freshwear Foundation
It’s hugely frustrating to do my make-up only for it to slide off and fade after leaving the house, so I opt for a longer-lasting formula. Unlike other ‘budge-proof’ bases, this one doesn’t feel cakey on the skin and stays put from morning ‘til night.
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