Hot yoga. Blow-dryers. August in the city. It’s hot out there, and your body needs a way to cool itself down. It does this by sweating. And sweat isn’t relegated to the armpits. It often flows from sensitive areas like your groin, butt, and breasts. Breast sweat can be uncomfortable and irritating to the skin, and some may find it embarrassing. But breast sweat is totally normal. Most women experience it at some point. And some women, especially those with large breasts, experience more breast sweat than others.
Read on to learn how to maximize your wardrobe and hack the products you have at home to make breast sweat a thing of the past.
1. Ditch the synthetic materials
Most bras are made with synthetic materials like polyester and rayon. Synthetic materials don’t “breathe.” This means they trap heat and prevent sweat from evaporating.
2. Ditch the padding
Padding is an extra layer of clothing that will just make you hotter. It usually contains synthetic materials, which can trap moisture against your body and increase your risk of common skin infections.
3. Go with cotton
Cotton is a naturally breathable fabric. Heat and sweat won’t get trapped against your chest with cotton. There’s a downside to it, though: Cotton takes a long time to dry.
4. Or try mesh
Try a thin, non-padded mesh bra. This material may be synthetic, but it won’t trap moisture. When your breasts catch a nice breeze, sweat will evaporate instead of dripping down your stomach.
5. Wear a sports bra
A great sports bra isn’t just for the gym! Traditional sports bras may be too thick for women who sweat a lot, so make sure you have something in a breathable or moisture-wicking fabric. FITTIN’s sweat-wicking racerback sports bra is a popular choice.
6. Invest in a sweat- or moisture-wicking bra
Bra companies have wised up to breast sweat and are coming out with some great new sweat-wicking options. Consider something like the X-Temp unlined wire-free convertible bra from Hanes.
7. Or ditch the bra altogether
Free the nipple once and for all by ditching your bra altogether. If you’re worried about your nipples showing, consider using pasties or a piece of masking tape for coverage.
8. Bra or no bra, opt for a loose, flowing top
Remember that air is your ally in the war against sweat. Tight clothes trap heat and moisture. Plus, tight clothes mean more sweat stains and wet spots. Loose, breathable fabrics like cotton and linen will up the airflow and hide the sweat.
9. When in doubt, wear black
Sweat is practically invisible on black clothes.
10. If you’re in a pinch, use panty liners
Panty liners are the ultimate DIY breast sweat solution. Stick a couple inside your bra to help soak up the sweat and prevent stains from forming on your clothes. Try something breathable, like Organyc 100 percent cotton panty liners.
11. Paper towels work, too
Running to a lunch meeting in July? Dancing at a spring wedding? If you don’t have liners handy, you can always use paper towels. Find a bathroom or kitchen and dry yourself off. Then fold up a few paper towels and put them in your bra cups.
12. Invest in a liner for your bra
If you want to upgrade your DIY solution, buy a cotton bra liner. Bra liners are designed to pull moisture away from the skin and prevent irritation. This bamboo and cotton one from More of Me to Love is a popular pick. You can also try nursing pads, which are designed to absorb breast milk.
13. Lube up with an aluminum-free deodorant
Antiperspirants stop you from sweating, and deodorants mask the smell of sweat.
However, because antiperspirants and deodorants are used near the breast, some scientists believe there could be a breast cancer link. The aluminum compounds found in most antiperspirants might mimic the effects of estrogen.
According to the National Cancer InstituteTrusted Source, no scientific evidence currently links these products to breast cancer. Still, you may want to stick with aluminum-free deodorants and avoid putting antiperspirants on your breasts.
14. Or try a deodorant spray
Many deodorants are available in sprays. This can make the application quick and easy. Deodorants will help mask the smell of body odor, but won’t stop you from sweating.
15. For optimal results, try a specially made breast deodorant
Yes, there is such a thing as breast deodorant! Try Fresh Breasts lotion. It’s a cream that dries into a powder and helps prevent chafing and sweating.
16. Anti-chafing gel may do the trick
Friction from your breasts rubbing against your trunk can lead to chafing. Friction also causes heat, which makes you sweat more. An anti-chafing gel like Lanacane can help cut down on friction and prevent rashes.
17. Try argan oil
Moroccans have been using argan oil to treat skin infections for centuries. Today, beauty insiders insist it works wonders on breast sweat, reducing both perspiration and irritation.
18. Tap on some baby powder
Baby powder works great for preventing chafing and rashes like intertrigo. Intertrigo is a commonTrusted Source form of dermatitis affecting skin folds, particularly the area beneath the breasts. Intertrigo sites often develop fungal and bacterial infections.
19. Or even cornstarch
Cornstarch makes a great substitute for baby power. You can even make your own deodorant by mixing equal parts cornstarch and baking soda. Use your hands to pat it gently onto the skin.
20. Consider a targeted powder
You can also purchase powder specifically designed to stop sweat. This talc-free dusting powder from Lush Cosmetics is another cult classic. It protects against chafing and leaves your skin feeling silky smooth.
21. Get the best of both worlds with a powder spray
Oh, the miracles of modern science! Get your powder from a spray can. Gold Bond’s fresh scent spray powder gets high praise for being cooling and absorbent.
22. Or consider antiperspirant wipes
SweatBlock is a clinical-strength antiperspirant that works for up to seven days. Sounds amazing, right? Just make sure you talk to your doctor before you use this product on your breasts. The active ingredient is aluminum, which some scientistsTrusted Source suggest is linked to breast cancer (although clear evidence is lacking).
23. Freshen up with a baby wipe
Throw a few baby wipes in your bag and use them when you need to freshen up. Sweat only smells when it mixes with bacteria on your skin. Cleaning your skin should help.
24. Hand sanitizer can also help with smell
If you’re in a pinch, use scented hand sanitizer. It can kill the bacteria on your skin and eliminate the smell of BO.
The bottom line
If nothing you do is working or your sweating begins to interfere with your daily life, it may be time to make an appointment with your dermatologist. You may be showing signs of hyperhidrosis, an excessive sweating condition.
