A Guide To Men's Body Powders

It happens to the best of us. The dryness, the itching, the chafing, the redness.

Here are the facts: Some of us sweat more than others. You can wear a good deodorant, dress in primarily tank tops, and still sweat like a bear in the woods. (That’s the saying, right?) Everyone’s bodies process things differently, meaning alternative measures must be taken to ensure you don’t cause a flash flood when the temperature reaches 70.

Using body powder helps to prevent body parts from sticking together (the dreaded bat wings, for example), prevents chafing from parts rubbing together (marathon runners swear by it), and eliminates body breakouts from excess sweat clogging your pores.

Skin irritations, jock itch, and athlete’s foot most commonly come from excess sweat and bacteria interacting on your body, which then attracts more bacteria, and so on and so forth. It’s a very un-sexy vicious cycle.

A typical body powder helps to treat the symptom of itching and even help soak up excess sweat that can make everything worse... but a great body powder does all that stuff without using harmful chemicals that can further irritate your skin.

You’re always going to want a body powder that’s free from aluminum and alcohol. Both of these common ingredients can further irritate your skin, causing even more sweat, and thus, more bacteria. Go for a finely-ground powder without any of the fragrance oils that can inflame your already sensitive dermis tissue.

TALC-BASED POWDERS

The most traditional solution, talcum powders are what's generally thought of when referencing men's powders. They'll keep a guy dry all day and quickly absorb moisture to prevent chafing. Plus, being the standard formula, they can be purchased in a variety of scents and consistencies.

NATURAL CORNSTARCH-BASED POWDERS

Anyone who has ever cooked with cornstarch knows it's great for thickening because it rapidly soaks up moisture. It works the same way on a man's junk. Although it won't keep you dry for as long as talc powder, some men really enjoy the comfort gained via the friction-reducing properties of starch. And, for guys with talc allergies, it's the only and most natural way to go.

SPRAYS, GELS, AND OTHER SCIENTIFIC WONDERS 

Powders are now available in a variety of innovative forms. Dry Goods has pioneered a point-and-spray powder, which has all the performance of talc with none of the mess. Fresh Balls makes a one-of-a-kind gel that turns into a powder on contact for an application that's both mess and guess-free. These options are the best for those desiring a flake-free bathroom floor.

As you know by now, body powder is a powerful tool to have in your grooming arsenal. But, if the point hasn’t hit home yet, here are a few parting uses for body powder you may not have thought about.

DO YOU REGULARLY TRIM YOUR NECK WITH AN ELECTRIC TRIMMER?

In barbershops around the world, it’s tradition to finish a neck trim with good smelling body powder. As we’ve explained before, body powder helps to soothe any irritation you might have, plus it helps seal and protect your skin and open pores. (Also, if you have thick hair, a wet shave may cause your skin to break into bumps. You can use body powder instead of an oil or cream. This has shown to eliminate skin bumps and breakouts for thick-haired men.)

DO YOU HAVE OILY HAIR?

Oily hair rarely looks as sexy as Antonio Banderas makes it look. Instead, it just looks sloppy. In a pinch, sprinkle body powder in the roots of your hair, then run your hands through your hair a few times. Voila! Your hair looks fresh instead of oily, and it smells awesome.

DO YOU STORE SPORTS EQUIPMENT IN YOUR CLOSET?

Just as body powder can help eliminate the smell of sweaty shoes, you can use it to make your closet smell fresh. Or at least neutralize the smell of sweaty balls... and gloves. Also, generally speaking, if you don’t like the smell of closet sachets of potpourri, you can use body powder as an alternative to eliminate the smell of dust and age.