Eco?Friendly Sweat Solutions: Advances in Functional Underarm Pads

Abstract

Sweating is a natural bodily function essential for thermoregulation, but excessive moisture can lead to discomfort, skin irritation, and allergic reactions, particularly in individuals with sensitive skin. This review examines recent advancements in sweat?absorbing technologies, focusing on the development of functional, breathable, and eco?friendly underarm pads. Various designs are discussed, including disposable pads composed of nonwoven fabrics and polyethylene films, as well as innovative products incorporating natural materials such as banana fiber, bamboo, and cotton. These materials offer hypoallergenic, biodegradable, and antimicrobial properties, addressing growing consumer demand for sustainable and skin?friendly hygiene solutions. Performance evaluations highlight key attributes such as moisture management, air permeability, and antibacterial efficacy, with certain pads demonstrating superior comfort and sweat absorption. The integration of herbal extracts and metal?oxide nanoparticles (e.g., ZnO) is shown to enhance functionality, providing rapid drying and microbial resistance. This synthesis underscores the potential of engineered textiles to improve sweat management while promoting environmental sustainability and skin compatibility, paving the way for future innovations in personal care products.

Introduction

The text discusses the development of eco-friendly sweat pads as an alternative to conventional synthetic products used for managing excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis). It highlights that traditional sweat pads may cause skin irritation and environmental issues, while natural fibers offer a safer and more sustainable solution.

The study focuses on natural materials such as kenaf, banana, bamboo, and cotton, which provide high absorbency, breathability, and antimicrobial properties. Additional natural extracts like neem and Nyctanthes arbor-tristis are used to improve hygiene and provide antibacterial and fragrance benefits. Kenaf fiber, in particular, is emphasized for its fast growth, jute-like structure, and suitability for absorbent materials.

A multilayer sweat pad structure is developed, consisting of:

• A breathable top layer (bamboo/cotton),
• An absorbent core (kenaf-based fibers),
• A biodegradable bottom layer (cassava starch film).

Various tests (absorbency, wicking, strength, and antimicrobial performance) show that the materials perform well for sweat management, with strong absorption and suitable durability. Prototype evaluations suggest the pads are comfortable and effective for users.

Conclusion

The three?layered functional sweat pad (FSP) developed in this study delivers a high?performance textile with antimicrobial and rapid?drying capabilities. Key achievements include: 1) Multilayer Design: The pad comprises an inner needle?punched Coolmax/polypropylene nonwoven blend treated with ZnO nanoparticles (2, 4, 6?wt?%), a middle electrospun polyamide?6 nanofiber layer with super?absorbent polymer (SAP) for optimized moisture absorption, and an outer Coolmax/polypropylene nonwoven sheet for enhanced breathability. 2) Moisture Management: The electrospun nanofiber middle layer enables efficient moisture transfer from the inner to outer surface, outperforming conventional fabrics in moisture?management testing (MMT). 3) Air Permeability: The multichannel Coolmax structure exhibits high air permeability of 882?mm/s, improving wearer comfort and ventilation. 4) Antimicrobial Performance: ZnO nanoparticle infusion grants superior antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus compared with standard samples and untreated fabrics, enhancing the pad’s hygienic properties. 5) Material Synergy: The nonwoven blend in the first layer provides advanced moisture handling, while ZnO addition boosts overall antibacterial efficacy, demonstrating the benefit of combining nanomaterials with textile engineering. 6) Future Directions: Further research can optimize other metal?oxide nanoparticles for broader antimicrobial spectra and investigate fabrication of metal?oxide nanowebs in functional garments such as sweatpants, expanding the application scope of the technology.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2026 Sathvika J, Dr. R Geetha Devi. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.