happy woman in yellow hoodie, the science of sweat

What is Sweat Explained

Sweating is also a natural way to cleanse the skin. It helps to remove toxins and impurities from the body, and can even help to clear up acne.

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What is sweat?

Sweat helps us to stay cool and regulate our body temperature. Sweat is the body's way of cooling itself down. When we exercise or get too hot, our body temperature rises and we start to sweat. Sweating helps to regulate our body temperature and keep us from getting too hot. The evaporation of sweat also helps to cool us down. So, when you're sweating, you're actually doing your body a favour!

SweatingOpens in a new window is also a natural way to cleanse the skin. It helps to remove toxins and impurities from the body, and can even help to clear up acne.

What Makes You Sweat

When does one start sweating?

Sweat, also known as perspiration, is a normal and healthy bodily function. Sweating starts to occur just a few months after birth and assists the body in keeping cool.

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How does sweat occur?

weat is produced by sweat glands, which are found in nearly every area of the body. There are two types of sweat glands: eccrine and apocrine. Eccrine glandsOpens in a new window are located all over the body and produce sweat in response to heat or exercise. Apocrine glandsOpens in a new window, on the other hand, are found in areas like the armpits and groin and become active during times of stress. This type of sweat is generally thicker and more odorous than eccrine sweat.

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What are the causes of sweat?

We sweat mainly to cool our bodies down, a process called thermoregulation. Our brain sends signals to perspire, releasing a clear fluid from over 3 million sweat glands (or sudoriferous glands) and as this fluid evaporates from our skin, it lowers our body temperature to ensure that we don’t overheat.

There are many factors that can cause us to perspire:

  • Hot environments,
  • General movement and physical activities,
  • Emotional feelings, including stress,
  • Eating hot or spicy food,
  • Side effects from medication or surgery,
  • Illness, as our bodies fight infections or fevers,
  • Hormonal changes such as menopause, pregnancy, menstruation or puberty.

On this site you’ll find lots of helpful information about how to stop sweat and how Shield can help with a range of antiperspirant deodorants suitable for men and women Sweating too much? Discover why people sweat