Drysol®

What is Drysol?

Drysol is a strong antiperspirant solution that contains 20% aluminum chloride hexahydrate. It’s a first-line (go to) treatment for hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis means excessive sweating, often in your armpits, palms, or feet.

Drysol is much more powerful than regular over-the-counter antiperspirants; it can be effective for up to 98% of people when used correctly.^[1]

How does Drysol work for hyperhidrosis?

Drysol works by temporarily plugging your sweat glands, which blocks sweat from reaching the surface of the skin.
The active ingredient, aluminum chloride hexahydrate, creates this blockage by reacting with long chains of sugars in your sweat glands. Over time, this reduces both sweat production and moisture, helping you stay dry and comfortable even under stress.^[2]

Will I get side effects from Drysol?

Some people notice mild side effects when using Drysol, like itching, tingling, or a slight burning feeling where it’s applied. This can persist for a short while as your skin adjusts.

More serious side effects are rare, but if you experience severe redness, swelling, or signs of an allergic reaction (like difficulty breathing, hives, or swelling around the face), get medical help immediately.

There have been claims that antiperspirants containing aluminum can cause cancer. There’s no strong scientific evidence that using antiperspirants containing aluminum, like Drysol, increases the risk of breast cancer. Large, well-designed studies have found no link between antiperspirant use, deodorant use, shaving, and breast cancer.^[3] Drysol is considered safe when used as directed.

What doses of Drysol are there?

Drysol is available as a 20% topical solution, which is one of the highest strengths of this type of antiperspirant. If this is too strong, there’s a 12% solution too.

How to take Drysol

• Apply Drysol at bedtime to completely dry skin.
• If needed, use a warm hair dryer to make sure your skin is 100% dry.
• Use the applicator provided or a cotton ball to dab a thin layer of Drysol on the areas you sweat the most (like your underarms, palms, or soles).
• Wash the area off in the morning with soap and water.

You’ll apply it nightly. Once your sweating is under control, you’ll typically switch to using it once or twice a week.

What should I do if I use too much Drysol?

Using too much Drysol can cause increased skin irritation like redness, burning, or itching.
If this happens, rinse the area with water and avoid reapplying until the irritation settles. If irritation continues, contact your clinician.