Product Review: Certain-Dri Anti-Perspirant

About a month ago I received a couple of products to review, including one of interest to a lot of runners and cyclists as the summer heats up. Initially, I thought this was just an ordinary antiperspirant, but it turns out Certain Dri is different.

For starters, it’s applied at night and contains aluminum chloride—the same ingredient prescribed by doctors for hyperhidrosis, or excessive perspiration. While you sleep, it shrinks pores to help stop perspiration the next day and even up to three days. It continues working after you shower and even if you apply a deodorant.

I decided to challenge the three-day rule over Memorial Day weekend, applying the solid on Friday night—sparingly, as instructed. I then went for a run Saturday morning and admit my underarms were relatively dry and odor-free. I then showered but did not apply my usual Dove deodorant. That evening we had company for dinner and went for a one-hour, rigorous walk afterward. Still feeling fresh.

Sunday morning I did an 6-miler with minimal moisture stains on my shirt. Topping off the holiday (and experiment) I got up Monday morning and ran again. It was warmer, and I was sweaty, but no more than usual under my arms. And still not stinky.

I went online to see how my experience compared to others and discovered this product is embraced by teenagers who sweat excessively and have trouble controlling both moisture and odor. I convinced my husband, a much more profuse sweater, to try it last weekend. This was risky, given for six hours straight he held up his arms on a hot day to serve Cytomax to Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon runners. The Certain Dri held up well, which I’m sure is a relief to many unknowing marathoners and volunteers.

In 2004, the FDA started requiring warnings on antiperspirants containing aluminum for those who suffer kidney diseases. So if you have kidney problems, this is not the deodorant for you. However, if you are otherwise healthy and want to control your excessive sweating, this may be just what you need to prevent embarrassing episodes. It’s not cheap—it retailed for $6.99 at my neighborhood CVS—but it’s used so sparingly (by direction) that a little goes a long way. You’d likely go through two containers of regular antiperspirant in the same time it takes you to get through one Certain-Dri roll-on or solid. Be aware that it can stain clothing and fabric, so make sure it’s dried before you put on colorful shirts or get into bed.

Know too that perspiration is not only common but necessary as a way to regulate body heat. Use this product only on underarms to help prevent perspiration from decomposing into odor-producing bacteria. If you have sweaty feet, you can consider Certain-Dri FEET Moisture Control Pads. And as for other areas, consider a powder.

As for me, I think this product may have a regular place in our medicine cabinet for many months to come.