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Sweat starts to flow when our body temperature rises, so it’s not unusual to get sweaty in hot weather, when exercising, or even eating spicy food. Sweating is a clever mechanism used by our bodies to cool us down. And, you’ve most likely noticed that after a good sweat, your temperature starts to drop to normal. However, sweating in humidity is a different ball game.
Have you ever felt like you sweat more on a cool day with high humidity than on a warm day with low humidity? There is science behind this suspicion. It’s not so much that excessive sweating in humidity is made worse. Rather, once water in the form of sweat is released through pores onto your skin, it tends to stay put.
Sweat (made up of water and salts) helps to cool the body by evaporating off the skin into the air and transferring excess heat. The rate at which sweat can evaporate depends on how much water is already present in the air.
The issue with humidity and sweating is that in high humidity, the air is already saturated with water. This means that sweat evaporates slowly (if at all). Thus, the heat and water accumulate on your skin, making it seem like you’re sweating more.
Originally published in 2020 and updated in 2025.
Our body’s struggle to cool down in humid weather can have other effects on our health beyond discomfort. The more our core temperature rises, the harder our bodies work to reduce it, which can lead to overheating. This results in a loss of water, salt, and chemicals. It can manifest as heat exhaustion or heatstroke as dehydration and chemical imbalances take hold.
Staying out of direct sunlight prevents your body from overheating. If you’re out walking, stick to the shadows where possible, and be sure to wear a hat. If you plan to spend a longer period outside, such as at the beach or park, pack a sun umbrella for a cool hangout.
As humans, we are made up of about 60% water. Sweating in humidity means losing a lot of liquid from your body. So it is important to replenish the water you are losing. By using a refillable bottle, you can track your water intake and stay hydrated when you’re out and about.
Apart from water, we also lose important salts and nutrients by sweating. So it’s also wise to drink sports or rehydration drinks to replenish everything your body needs to function.
By limiting outdoor activities to early morning or evening, you avoid peak periods of sun and intense heat. This doesn’t mean you have to cancel all your daytime plans. Simply minimize sun exposure, and your body will thank you for it. Less sun means less heat, and ultimately less sweating.
When balancing humidity and sweating, using the right antiperspirant is key. It’s important to note that deodorants only work to stop body odor rather than the sweat itself.
Antiperspirants, on the other hand, directly combat sweat by blocking the sweat glands. If your regular antiperspirant is ineffective during humid days, try a clinical strength product. For best results, apply antiperspirant before bedtime to clean and dry skin.
Your choice of clothing can also help to manage sweat in humid conditions. Wicking fabrics work by pulling sweat off the skin and transporting it through tiny channels to the outside surface, where it eventually evaporates. This prevents sweat from being absorbed by the material, leaving you soggy and uncomfortable.
Normally, sweat evaporates off our skin to help cool us down. But when the air is full of moisture, like on a humid day, sweat doesn’t dry. It just sits on our skin, making us feel hotter and stickier. This can lead to problems like dehydration, heat exhaustion, or even heatstroke if you're not careful. To stay cool and safe in humid weather, use our tips to ensure you are healthy and comfortable.
You can also choose to wear Ejis sweat proof undershirts and boxer briefs designed to keep your clothes dry. (Buy on our shop or on Amazon.)
