Overview of Antihydral cream and spray for sweaty hands – user and expert opinions
You often ask me for my opinion on this well-known antiperspirant brand frequently used in climbing: Antihydral.
Here it is!
💬 The comment section is there for you! Feel free to share your experiences, as they can be valuable to others.
♻️ Last update: September 6, 2025. Written by Nelly Darbois, physical therapist and scientific writer (see here)
Summary
What is Antihydral?
Antihydral is an antiperspirant cream sold by the Swiss family-owned pharmaceutical company Iromedica AG.
It is mainly used by four categories of people:
- Individuals with severe hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) of the hands, feet, or other localized body areas.
- Athletes, especially climbers, who want to improve grip by reducing sweaty palms.
- Musicians, such as string or wind instrument players, to prevent slipping fingers.
- Amputees, to reduce sweating of their stump and improve comfort with sockets and prostheses.
Composition of Antihydral
- Methenamine 130 mg/g
- White clay
- Zinc oxide 150 mg/g
- Glycerol
- Flavorings, colorants (E 172 iron oxide), and other additives
The two ingredients believed to have an antiperspirant effect are methenamine and zinc oxide.
Unlike most antiperspirants, Antihydral does not contain aluminum salts or glycopyrrolate.
Forms Available
- Cream / ointment: applied directly to the target area. Usually once or twice daily until sweating decreases, then less often.
- Spray (with essential oils): appears to be discontinued.
It is always used locally (hands, feet, underarms, stump) and does not reduce sweating across the whole body.
No prescription required.
Some also try adding methenamine to iontophoresis water baths to increase effectiveness.
Is Antihydral effective?
Online reviews are mixed, as with most antiperspirants – some people report good results, others little effect.
There are a few clinical studies on methenamine (the main active substance), but fewer than for aluminum salts or glycopyrrolate.
Study highlights:
- Cullen 1975: 24 patients (hands/feet hyperhidrosis). One-third reported relief lasting 1–3 weeks after stopping treatment.
- Bergstresser 1976: 109 patients. Significant sweat reduction after one month.
- Susac 1996: 16 amputees with sweaty stumps. Methenamine solution significantly more effective than placebo.
- Phadke 1995: 60 patients in 3 groups (methenamine, glutaraldehyde, water iontophoresis). Methenamine worked better than water iontophoresis and caused fewer side effects than glutaraldehyde.
Side Effects and Risks
As with any antiperspirant, possible side effects include:
- Skin dryness
- Redness, itching
- Cracks or fissures if overused
Rarely, it may trigger eczema in people sensitive to formaldehyde.
Avoid use if allergic to any ingredients.
⚠️ Not tested on children, teens, or pregnant women.
Where to Buy Antihydral
- Beeovita: €23.92 for 25g (ships worldwide, prices in euros).
➡️ [See Antihydral on Beeovita] - Amazon US: around $28 for 70g.
- Also available from some international pharmacies online.
Not available in French pharmacies or on Vidal.
Alternatives to Antihydral
Other antiperspirants include:
- Carpe (aluminum-based)
- Etiaxil (aluminum-based)
If you suffer from generalized hyperhidrosis (sweating in multiple body areas), you may need different options. See my full article on generalized hyperhidrosis treatments.
My personal opinion
Although I used Etiaxil in the past, I no longer use topical antiperspirants because they make me sweat more in untreated areas. For this reason, I have not personally tested Antihydral.
That said, some readers and climbers find it helpful, while others don’t.
Have you tried Antihydral?
💬 Share your review in the comments below – I’d love to hear about your results.
If you have questions, feel free to ask in the comments as well 🙂
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📚 SOURCES
Cullen SI. Topical methenamine therapy for hyperhidrosis. Arch Dermatol. 1975 Sep;111(9):1158-60. PMID: 1167048.
Bergstresser PR, Quero R. Treatment of hyperhidrosis with topical methenamine. Int J Dermatol. 1976 Jul-Aug;15(6):452-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-4362.1976.tb00240.x. PMID: 776880.
Susak Z, Minkov R, Isakov E. The use of Methenamine as an antiperspirant for amputees. Prosthet Orthot Int. 1996 Dec;20(3):172-5. doi: 10.3109/03093649609164439. PMID: 8985996.
Phadke VA, Joshi RS, Khopkar US, Wadhwa SL. Comparison of topical methenamine, glutaraldehyde and tap water Iontophoresis for palmoplantar hyperhidrosis. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 1995 Nov-Dec;61(6):346-8. PMID: 20953017.
Written by Nelly Darbois
I founded this website in 2012. Since then, I’ve been providing information and positive support to people suffering from excessive sweating. I’m also a physical therapist and science writer, living in French Alps 🌞❄️.