What are the benefits of using armpit sweat pads?

According to Dr. Maguiness, the main benefit of using armpit pads is that they absorb sweat and odors. "They technically work to save your clothes from staining," she says, "but they don't stop you from sweating." Beyond stain prevention, Dr. Maguiness says, "Hyperhidrosis can be socially embarrassing and negatively impact quality of life." Underarm pads may also help reduce uncomfortable (or potentially painful) rubbing, as well as chafing, rashes, and bumps .

How do you use armpit sweat pads?

Sweat pads are applied either directly to your skin or attached to your shirt. The former works like an adhesive bandage, so all you do is peel off the backing and smooth it onto your armpit. The latter is more like a menstrual pad—just remove the backing and press it onto the corner hem (armpit area) of your shirt or dress.

Can you reuse armpit sweat pads?

Generally speaking, no. While there are some washable and reusable designs, most armpit pads are single-use, disposable sheets. One should get you through a day, and you can toss it in the trash once you remove it.

The 6 Best Armpit Pads for Sweat Protection

Woman raising her arms — ohlamour studio / Stocksy

Sweat is a fact of life—or as board-certified dermatologist Dr. Sheilagh Maguiness puts it, "a completely normal function that serves to help cool and maintain our body temperature." Even so, overproducing it can be unpleasant, smelly, or potentially embarrassing.

Dr. Maguiness says some people do, in fact, perspire more than others: "This is known as hyperhidrosis, a dermatologic condition affecting up to 4.5% of the population." Whether it happens all the time, in humid weather, or only when you work out, the extra moisture in your underarms could lead to chafing, rashes, or staining your favorite shirts.

But luckily, there's a solution. "Armpit pads are primarily meant to absorb excess sweat and prevent it from soiling clothing," Dr. Maguiness says. They can also help keep odors at bay and minimize uncomfortable rubbing between your skin folds.

We conducted hours of research on the best armpit pads on the market, evaluating each on material, shape, size, and absorbency. We also looked for any extra features like color (because you'll be wearing these under clothes). After consulting with a board-certified dermatologist and considering dozens of models, we landed on these picks.

Ahead, find the best armpit pads for sweat protection.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

PURAX Underarm Pads at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Value:

Cleaneat Underarm Sweat Pads at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Absorbency:

Sirona Underarm Sweat Pads at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Skin Adhesive:

Spenco Adhesive Knit Protection Tape at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Moleskin:

Dr. Scholl’s Moleskin Plus Padding Roll at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Garment Shield:

Garment Guard Underarm Shields at Amazon

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In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Byrdie

PURAX

View On Amazon View On Purax.info

What We Like

Absorbent and breathable
Locks in moisture
Contoured shape

What We Don't Like

Tricky to remove

If you want to say "See ya" to stains and "Ciao" to chafing, Purax Underarm Pads are where it's at. They're made of soft, super-absorbent fleece with excellent breathability. This allows air to pass through while quickly soaking up moisture and locking it into the inner layers. The self-adhesive design goes directly onto your skin (as opposed to your clothes) and applies like a band-aid.

Each pad is about 4 inches long and 2.5 inches wide, with a butterfly shape that fits into the contours of your armpits without affecting your range of movement. We appreciate that they come in brown in addition to white to be more discreet on darker skin tones. The extra-sticky backing ensures they don't come off during the day. That said, it works almost too well in that it can be tricky to remove.

Price at time of publish: $18

Material: Fleece | Size: 4 x 2.5 inches | Quantity: 30

What Our Experts Say

"One easy thing to help with excessive armpit sweating is to make sure you're using an antiperspirant rather than a deodorant. An antiperspirant will help to reduce sweating by blocking your sweat glands, while a deodorant only helps to reduce odor." — Dr. Sheilagh Maguiness, Board-Certified Dermatologist

Cleaneat Large Disposable Underarm Sweat Pads

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Absorbs sweat and odors
Prevents stains
Strong adhesive

What We Don't Like

May leave lint on shirts
Not suitable for silk or wool

This affordable 100-pack from Cleaneat is a great choice for those who need daily protection. These armpit pads are meant to attach to your clothes, soaking up sweat, absorbing odors, and keeping yellow stains off the fabric.

The strong adhesive helps prevent them from shifting around or falling out. But just a heads up, the white cotton material might leave lint inside your shirts. Also, the brand says not to use them with silk or wool clothing.

Price at time of publish: $19

Material: Cotton | Size: 5.5 x 4.5 inches | Quantity: 100

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Quickly soaks up moisture
Prevents stains
Works on all fabrics

What We Don't Like

Tricky to remove

These disposable sweat pads are made of a special nonwoven paper that soaks up a surprising amount of moisture. Beyond the exceptional absorbency, they promise to save you from embarrassing stains and odors.

The single-use design has a sticky backing that attaches to any type of fabric, though the adhesive is so strong it can be hard to pull off. Still, we like the beige hue, which is a little more discreet than stark white pads.

Price at time of publish: $12

Material: Nonwoven paper | Size: 4.5 x 4 inches | Quantity: 24

Spenco 2nd Skin Adhesive Knit Blister Protection Tape

Amazon

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What We Like

Soft and flexible
Breathable
Medical-grade adhesive

What We Don't Like

Strips may need trimming
Not the most absorbent

Spenco 2nd Skin is meant to attach directly to your skin. These soft, flexible pads are made of a nonwoven fabric designed to minimize the rubbing and friction that causes chafing.

While they're not the most absorbent option, the breathable material and medical-grade adhesive are designed to hold up during sweating, swimming, or bathing. Also, since each sheet is 6.5 by 4 inches, you might need to cut them in half to fit your armpits.

Price at time of publish: $10

Material: Nonwoven fabric | Size: 6.5 x 4 inches | Quantity: 6

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Drscholls.com

What We Like

Soft cushioning
Flexible protection
Can be cut to any shape or size

What We Don't Like

Not technically for armpits
Not the most absorbent

Thin yet heavy and notably soft moleskin is ideal for preventing painful friction (and ultimately chafing) caused by excess sweat. Dr. Scholl's Moleskin Plus is a flannel-like cotton material that provides soft cushioning and flexible protection while creating a barrier between your underarms and clothes.

Though it's not technically designed for armpits, you can cut whatever size or shape you need from the roll and stick it on. Since this isn't the most absorbent option, you may still want to wear deodorant.

Price at time of publish: $8

Material: Moleskin cotton | Size: 24 x 4.5 inches

Garment Guard The Original Cotton Disposable Adhesive Underarm Shields

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Walmart

What We Like

Prevents stains
Soft and breathable
Two colors available

What We Don't Like

High price per count

If your main concern is staining your favorite clothes, Garment Guard might be your best bet. These disposable oval-shaped pads are made of soft, breathable, absorbent cotton.

They're about 5 inches long and 3.5 inches wide, with little slits on the sides for a more contoured fit. Available in beige or black, they create a comfy barrier between your sweaty armpits and favorite shirts. The price per pad is kinda high, but other than that, no complaints.

Price at time of publish: $23

Material: Cotton | Size: 5 x 3.5 inches | Quantity: 10

Final Verdict

Purax Underarm Pads are our top choice. We appreciate the contoured butterfly shape, breathable material, and fast-acting absorbency that locks in sweat. But if you're looking for a slightly better value or prefer sheets that attach to your clothes, go with Cleaneat Self-Absorbing Underarm Pads.

Meet the Expert

Dr. Sheilagh Maguiness is a board-certified dermatologist. She is also an associate professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School Department of Dermatology and the co-founder of Stryke Club.

What to Look for When Buying Armpit Pads for Sweat Protection

Material

As Dr. Maguiness explains, underarm sweat guards "typically have an absorbent pad and adhesive to stick to the skin and hold them in place." However, they're not all created equal. Some are made of soft fleece or cotton, which are generally breathable with excellent absorbency.

Some pads are made of nonwoven paper (similar to menstrual pads). These materials also do a good job soaking up sweat. You'll also find moleskin and nonwoven fabric options, which aren't the most absorbent, though they can help minimize chafing while creating a stain-preventing barrier between your armpits and clothes.

Size and Shape

When browsing underarm pads, note the size. You want them to be large enough to provide adequate protection but not so large that they're uncomfortable or hard to conceal. Additionally, curved designs—whether an oval, butterfly, or snowman shape, for lack of a better description—will fit more easily into the contours of your armpits or the folds of your shirt.

Skin vs. Clothing Attachment

There are two main types of armpit pads for sweat protection. Some are meant to stick to your clothes, while others are designed to go directly onto your skin, like a bandage. The choice is mostly a matter of preference, though the kind that goes on your skin gives you the freedom to wear sleeveless shirts.

However, Dr. Maguiness warns that the adhesive can sometimes be painful to remove (again, like a bandage). "It may leave a sticky residue after removal and could potentially cause an irritant or allergic contact dermatitis in the affected area," she tells Byrdie.

FAQ

What are the benefits of using armpit sweat pads?

According to Dr. Maguiness, the main benefit of using armpit pads is that they absorb sweat and odors. "They technically work to save your clothes from staining," she says, "but they don't stop you from sweating."
Beyond stain prevention, Dr. Maguiness says, "Hyperhidrosis can be socially embarrassing and negatively impact quality of life." Underarm pads may also help reduce uncomfortable (or potentially painful) rubbing, as well as chafing, rashes, and bumps.
How do you use armpit sweat pads?

Sweat pads are applied either directly to your skin or attached to your shirt. The former works like an adhesive bandage, so all you do is peel off the backing and smooth it onto your armpit. The latter is more like a menstrual pad—just remove the backing and press it onto the corner hem (armpit area) of your shirt or dress.
Can you reuse armpit sweat pads?

Generally speaking, no. While there are some washable and reusable designs, most armpit pads are single-use, disposable sheets. One should get you through a day, and you can toss it in the trash once you remove it.

Why Trust Byrdie

Theresa Holland is a commerce writer and product reviewer specializing in personal hygiene and cosmetics. For this story, she interviewed a board-certified dermatologist for insight into the causes and solutions for excessive sweating, then researched reliable, user-friendly underarm pads. Having dealt with the uncomfortable effects of increased sweating during hot, humid Oregon summers, she has tried pads from Purax and Purax. You can read more of Theresa's stories on People and Travel + Leisure.

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Article Sources

Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

Cleveland Clinic. Chafing. Health Essentials. Updated Jul. 19, 2022.
Knapik, Joseph & Reynolds, Katy & Barson, John. (1997). The Influence of Antiperspirants on Foot-Blister Incidence Following Road Marching. 57.

Best Overall

PURAX Underarm Pads

Best Value

Cleaneat Large Disposable Underarm Sweat Pads

Best Absorbency

Sirona Disposable Underarm Sweat Pads

Best Skin Adhesive

Spenco 2nd Skin Adhesive Knit Blister Protection Tape

Best Moleskin

Dr. Scholl’s Moleskin Plus Padding Roll

Best Garment Shield

Garment Guard The Original Cotton Disposable Adhesive Underarm Shields

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