Customer Reviews

Certain Dri Anti-Perspirant, Roll-On, Prescription Strength, 1.2 oz.

5 star:		(217)
4 star:		(33)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(17)

 

 

As the resident pit-stain guy in the office, I was desperate to find a solution to my excessive underarm perspiration. Whether it was being asked to get something from the top shelf -- or the never-ending requests to do the "field goal" signal -- my coworkers shared many a laugh at chatchi's expense.

While it is not uncommon to have perspiration rings under the arms of your shirt, it IS uncommon to have those rings bleed down to your belt. Doctor's call it Axillary Hyperhidrosis -- chatchi calls it "Swamp Pits". My perspiration was becoming so unmanageable, I would wear four (4) undershirts to prevent the stains from bleeding through to my dress shirts. The idea worked, but the extra layers only caused chatchi to sweat even more.

The average adult perspires a little more than one quart of fluid per day. chatchi perspired more than SEVEN quarts of fluid per day. After failing numerous job interviews, and scaring away an immeasurable amount of potential romantic companions because of my mind-boggling sweat production, it was time for me to get help.

My search ended with Certain Dri. This remarkable, non-prescription product is applied to the underarm area before you go to bed. While the concept might seem unusual, you wouldn't be reading this review unless you were used to going to unusual lengths to prevent underarm perspiration.

Certain Dri is applied in place of your regular anti-perspirant/deodorant, but I'd advise still using a scented deodorant every day, since Certain Dri does a less than adequate job of masking the stench. The first time you use the product, don't be surprised if you experience a slight irritation to the underarms (comparable to bathing in gasoline, then setting yourself on fire) -- that's the 12% aluminum chloride going to work. Don't worry, the irritation will go away after a couple of days. The roll-on applicator is less than desirable -- ripping out armpit hairs during application -- but I suppose it's better than those nasty aerosol brands.

Just how good is Certain Dri? Well, the directions say that, when used "sparingly", Certain Dri can prevent perspiration for up to 84 hours after application. I've found that I can literally go weeks without applying Certain Dri, and my pits remain dry as a desert. My confidence has been restored in interviews, and women are no longer turned off by extreme underarm moisture.

Thanks to Certain Dri, chatchi had the last laugh.

For the last several years, I've tried every antiperspirant available, and pretty much given up. I was paranoid about raising my arms, and my wardrobe slowly became one of black and navy blue shirts, so that the wetness would be less visible. If I had to wear a dress shirt, I'd look everywhere to find a shirt that I could wear underneath, no matter how hot it was outside, so that there wouldn't be marks.

Then I tried Certain Dri, and it's amazing. Although it does cause some itching and discomfort if you use it to quickly after shaving, as well as the first week or so of use, it's well worth it to be able to wear colors for the first time in YEARS. I don't have to worry at all about wearing anything.

My only criticism is that you probably need to wear a deodorant anyway, since the product seems to aggravate underarm odor, with which I'd never before had a problem.

Beyond that minor annoyance, it's an amazing product, and I recommend it to anyone for whom Secret Platinum, Arm & Hammer, Sure, Degree, Dove, Lady Speedstick, Arrid and any other antiperspirant on the market have done nothing!

The reason I gave Certain Dri one star is to get your (the skeptic's) attention. I wouldn't actually give Certain Dri 1 star; honestly, I would give it 5. For those of you who are looking for a reason not to use or buy Certain Dri, I will give you all the reasons I know here:
1) It stings if you use it when your pits are wet--so let them dry or dry them with a fan/blow dryer before applying the product (this is especially helpful if you would rather apply in the morning as opposed to at night).
2) It stings if you use too much. "Too much" depends on your skin. I would not use more than a couple strokes. Some people don't get any irritation, and some people are very sensitive to it. I have very sensitive skin, and I get irritated and very dry under my arms when I apply 3 strokes or more.
3) It stings if you don't let it dry completely and just keep your arms down. So make sure it dries completely (if you rub it in and fan your pits, it dries in about two minutes).
4) It does not cover odor; it only stops wetness (and it does this extremely well). You can use a deoderant for any odor, but I have found since I stopped sweating under my arms, I can hardly detect any odor.
5) If you're a guy, the roll-on application may pull on your pit hairs.

Those are the only drawbacks I can think of. Here are the pros:

1)The stinging is temporary, if you experience any.
2)The stinging is not extreme--it's bearable.
3)It does work, there's no question about it: it is a very strange feeling to have arm pits that don't sweat while working out and the rest of your body sweating like usual. It is also very exciting to give a presentation and be able to choose any clothing you want and not have to worry about people seeing wet armpits.
4)The cost: I would pay fifty dollars for this product considering how long it lasts and that it works so well. It only costs about 4-6 dollars depending on where you buy it, and it lasts several months.
5)No more yellow pit stains. I have bought new white blouses just because I know I will not be wearing my stained ones anymore, and I know I don't have to worry about staining these ones (but they are not safe from coffee stains unfortunately-- I spill coffee on myself almost every time I drink it)!
6)For people who have really sweaty feet, this product has been proven to work for excessive foot sweat. Athletes: take heart!

I could think of a few more pros, but at this point, I have spent 20 minutes of my own time (I am a pharmacy student and have two exams tomorrow that I need to finish studying for) writing this review. I never write product reviews, but I am writing one for Certain Dri because it is a truly effective, valuable find.

If you are hesitant about buying this product, I wouldn't buy it if you know you have an allergy to aluminum chloride. Otherwise, it is definitely worth the 4-6 dollars to just try it. It's even worth the temporary stinging, if you experience any. If it doesn't work for you (I doubt this would be the problem) or if you are too sensitive to it (this would probably be more likely--but make sure you try using it less often like every few days, and don't apply as much as you did previously, before you give up on it), you can always return it to the store.

I am one of those people who believes more means more effective, but trust me, they are serious when they say you only need a couple strokes. It seems like your arm pit is a big area and needs several strokes, but use only one or two--and then rub it around with your palm to cover the whole area. This will also help it dry faster and reduce the possibility of stinging.

I have tried everything from Secret Clinical Strength to Mitchum to you-name-it. This is the last product I will use because I will never change to anything else. I sweat when it's cold out, when it's hot out, when I'm working out, when I'm just sitting in class, or giving a presentation, and we all know how embarassing the wet dark puddles under our arms are. I wish I would have found this product sooner. I wish there was a product as effective for coffee stains.

The key is not to overdo and follow the directions. A little bit of Certain Dri goes a long way. It worked for me. I don't have a severe persperation problem but enough that I wanted something stronger and OTC. This was the ticket. I did have problems with stinging and burning but I used hydrocortisone cream which helped immensely. This is so worth the money because it takes such a small amount to work.

Well, this product has been reviewed to death, so I'll just add to what everyone else has said.

First of all, the results aren't instant for everyone. It took about a week and a half of use every night for me to see the amazing results that everyone talks about. Now, after about 3 weeks of use, I am entirely sweat-free, but I still need to use it every other night to stay that way.

Second, not everyone feels intense burning or itching when they use it. I didn't feel anything when I applied it, and I actually wondered if I had done it wrong. So the second night I put on about 5-6 strokes instead of 1-2, and I felt a little tingling, but nothing more. So don't let that affect whether or not you try this!

Sweating was a moderate problem for me, enough to be annoying and slightly embarassing. It definitely affected the type of clothing that I bought. Now I have to train myself to look at whatever clothes I want, instead of thinking, "Too bad I can't wear that, I'd have 3" pit stains by 4th period."

I think for people like me, this is a great solution. You might think it's too good to be true, but it isn't! So give it a try!

Edit March 2008: Still on my first bottle, I only use it about once every other week now, and I still don't sweat AT ALL, even during my track workouts. I don't know how this stuff works, but it was without a doubt the best 6 bucks I've ever spent in my life.

Edit December 2010: I haven't used Certain Dri in about two years, and I still do not sweat. I think my sweat glands have been permanently altered, or perhaps it was a phase that I would have grown out of anyway. (I was 17 when I first wrote the review.) Either way, I still have to recommend it!

to start off, this is the BEST PRODUCT ever!!! i have never used a better anti-persperant than this roll on liquid!! this is the BEST thing i have ever used in my life. i have suffered from a severe sweating disease and i just got it terribly this year, i am 14 years old and i have sweat marks about three inches under my arm: it drips BADLY! it is so embarassing because i cant even wear thin shirts, im always finding myself having to wear sweatshirts and jackets, and it stinks!! well, i just found out about this product so i bought it at CVS for a little over 5.00 and that was just yesterday. so, i got home and put this product on an hour after i showered (before bed) the next day i was COMPLETELY dry and i didn't sweat a single bit! i was wearing a very light material shirt too and no sweat marks were revealed!! this was GREAT Because not even the leading "platinum" anti-persperants work for me...and this product couldn't be better!! i am going to be using this forever now (or at least until my sweating problem reduces!) i am so excited now because i can buy clothes that are thin and ANY color! i can raise my hand in school! i would recommend this product to ANYONE who suffers from sweating because i 100% guarantee you that this will completely take away your underarm wetness/sweating problem! you can still wear a deodorant with this, because it will cover up the smell (although certain dri doesnt have a scent) you can even take showers after you apply it at bedtime...still works awesome!! i would definitely give this product OVER five stars, because it is the best product i have found to work!! certain dri has completely solved my problem, and i am so happy for it!! --lastly you only have to apply it every other day because it can keep you dry for up to THREE and a HALF days!! now, what better could you ask for?!?

First thing I noticed about the box was the enormous government warning label on the back of the box entitled "Drug Facts". This warning label has a list of appropriate uses and directions for the product. Never before have I seen a Drug Facts warning box on any other deodorant. Some other posts have related how people actually skipped a day between uses of this product. Frankly, I didn't put any stock in those posts, because really who skips days when putting on deodorant. Well I have to say that I have graduated to a point where I only use this product once a week and I never have pit stains on my shirts. I simply use a deodorant only product like High Endurance everyday and use this as the antiperspirant component. You only apply it to your underarms before you go to bed at night. Make sure that your underarms aren't damp or wet from like say taking a shower. I don't mind telling you that it feels a little funny underneath there just after application. But the uncomfortable sensation has never lasted more than 60 seconds for me. The next morning I apply a deodorant because this product has no fragrance smell to it at all. If there is any smell to it, I would have to say it smells a little like the dry cleaners. I have used it for over 6 months now with no adverse side affects. I previously had been the butt of office jokes and I would never wear anything but a black shirt even in the hottest summer days. Now I never worry about my underarms, EVER.

I had suffered from hyperhydrosis for about 11 years. In certain social situations...it got even worse...or in very stressful situations. I spent so much money on clothes that I had to throw away I could not even begin to estimate. Absolutely nothing worked...even when I asked my doctor what to do, he was clueless...If you suffer from this condition, you know just how frustrating and embarrassing it can be. Basically humiliating on a day in day out basis. I even considered surgery to correct this problem, that is how much I hated the condition. (By the way, surgery is now available and getting safer, more affordable, and less intrusive according to some news reports I have seen!)

About a year ago, I started using this product. Within one to two days, I was noticeably drier. Within 3 to 4 days, I was thrilled! I have probably about 95%+ less perspiration now. On a normal day that is not too loaded with stress, I am basically 100% free of excess perspiration. I am able to wear long sleeve shirts without overheating and having a problem. I am able to wear white shirts....And to date, I have ruined absolutely NO CLOTHES!!!!! If you take the price of clothes into consideration that were getting tossed out before they were even broken in, this stuff is worth its weight in gold!

A couple of considerations...the first couple three times you use it, you will feel some discomfort. Slight stinging or irritation is pretty common until your body gets used to it. Also, you will use less of this than a normal anti-perspirant / deodorant. Therefore, it goes a little further than you might expect 1.2 ounces to go...It actually lasts quite a while. Also, you will not be able to wash under your arms quite as often. When you wash with soap, you will basically take your barrier of protection off and you will then spend two to three days building it back up again. You will be putting it on in the evening just before bed and then you are able to shower in the morning and it will be dry and leave you comfortable. You can wash your under arms with warm water, but like I said if you use soap, it will take the certain dri off.

Certain dry has a Companion product to address the minimal potential odor you might have from putting the protection on at night and then going through the day without recent protection. I found the companion as not really that effective for me. It seemed to increase wetness and did very little to help. The best thing to do is maintain your personal cleanliness as best as possible. Keep under arm hair very short or shaved and use your certain dri as directed.

From what is out there....for me, nothing else worked and this product was an absolute blessing in my life. Unless I can correct the problem permanently through surgery, I would not be without this product.

I would buy it and give it a try...what have you got to lose...other than wet shirts?

Certain Dri saved me. It saved me from my embarrassment and from my discomfort. Everyday I sweated profusely since the year 1999. I literally had to change my shirt everytime I arrived home from school because it would be soaked with sweat and I was very disgusted by that. But, since I have discovered the power of Certain Dri, I have been relieved from my embarrassment and from my discomfort--My life certainly became drier.
My profuse sweating began when I was 13 years old. While I was sitting in my classrom learning, cold, icky streams of sweat dripped down the sides of my body. No matter if I was hot or cold I would sweat incessantly for no reason at all. At the end of the school day my armpits produced enough sweat to fill two medium-sized kiddie pools.
I tried to hide my sweat with sweaters and jackets and extra shirts but when summer arrived I had to find another way to mask my embarrassment. I tried all of the so-called antiperspirants that I could find but all of them were futile, except for one--Certain Dri!
Certain Dri is the only antiperspirant that I have used, (and I have used many), that actually works. It fights excessive perspiration and amazingly reduces underarm wetness with its main ingredient, aluminum chloride.
If misused Certain Dri will not work properly and it can also cause painful side effects. I strongly suggest following the directions on the label to apply to the underarms sparingly and only at bedtime because I have misused the product before and suffered the consequences. Using Certain Dri incorrectly resulted in my underarms feeling like killer bees were constantly stinging my armpits. In addition, small knots formed under my arms. However, when I use Certain Dri correctly it does not cause any discomfort.
I am 18 years old and I have been using Certain Dri for five years now. I cannot possibly live in peace without it. One night of Certain Dri gives me 3 to 5 days of driness under my arms. I no longer have to face the world with embarrassing sweaty armpits and sweat-stained shirts. I no longer have to suffer through the uncomfortable feeling of cold streams of sweat flowing freely down the side of my body either. Excessive perspiration, or hyperhydrosis, is one problem that I do not have to sweat about anymore. Thanks to Certain Dri my life is certainly drier and I highly recommend Certain Dri to anyone who unfortunately suffers with excessive perspiration under their arms because if it worked for me for 5 years it can work for anyone.

I am not the type to sweat excessively under my arms so I had no use for this product. I'd seen the commercials but never gave them much thought. Anyway, I do suffer from a VERY embarrasing problem and that is that my feet sweat way too much! It was a constant embarrasment to wear cute strappy shoes, sandals, etc. because my feet were constantly sweating. You can imagine that they smelled, ruined my shoes, etc. Whenever I would visit a friend or family member (and I was wearing something that exposed my feet) I would go into their bathroom and wash my feet in their sink just to feel comfortable. Isn't that awful? Well, I'd finally had it so I went to my podiatrist and let her know about my problem. She gave me a sample of certain dri and told me to use it on my feet before I went to bed and see if it helped. If it didn't, she would give me a prescription for something that I would only need to wear once a week. Anyway, I tried it and it worked!! Within two days, my problem was solved. As a bonus, my hands don't sweat as much either (isn't that weird? I'm sure my hands would sweat due to the anxiety of my sweaty feet). Now I use it every couple - three days, before I go to bed, and I concentrate on the area under my toes, which is where I did most of my sweating. I apply it sparingly and it works so well. I'm very happy with this product. Please consult with your own podiatrist before you use the product as I've been instructed to do so. Hope this review helps someone out there.