Getting to the gym is a feat within itself. But once you a get into a groove, you have another hurdle to overcome: the constant streams of sweat running down your face.  

So how do you keep sweat out of your face during workouts? 

We’ve compiled the best tricks to shield your face and eyes from sweat — and focus on getting a killer workout.  

Why Your Face Sweats So Much During a Workout 

Whether you’re battling a hill in spin class or going full sprint in your Sunday soccer league, your body sweats to help cool you down from all this activity.   

If your face sweats more than the rest of your body, you’re not alone.  

Your eccrine glands are responsible for the sweat pouring from your head and face mid-workout. And your forehand and face contain more of these glands than any other part of your body.  

When your body temperature gets too hot, these glands are the first to respond.  

5 Ways to Keep Sweat Out of Your Face During Workouts  

Tired of wiping away sweat throughout your workout?  

Try these five solutions to stop face sweat: 

1. Wear a Ventilated Cap With a Liner 

One way to keep sweat out of your eyes during a workout is to wear a ventilated baseball cap with a liner. You’ll want to choose one made of lightweight, breathable fabric like mesh.   

Lululemon has a wide selection of caps for both men and women. You can also buy ventilated caps from other performance gear sites like Nike and Under Armour. 

If performance gear is over your budget, take any cheap hat with a mesh back and stick a disposable hat liner on the inside — like this $9 one from Drybrow . 

If you don’t mind wearing a cap during a workout, it can be an effective solution to block sweat from your eyes and face. But it’s not for everyone.  

Caps leave you with awkward hat hair and don’t always stay put. When playing sports, the bill also blocks your vision. 

Luckily, hats aren’t your only option. There are a few more solutions to keep sweat out of your face during a workout.

2. Cut the Sleeve Off an Old Shirt for a Makeshift Sweatband 

Short on funds? Repurpose an old shirt as a workout sweatband. DIY sweatbands are the easiest and cheapest way to shield your face from sweat during exercise.  

Here’s how to make your own sweatband: 

1. Grab an old shirt in the back of your drawer (you know, the one with holes in it) and a pair of scissors.  
2. Lay the shirt down flat. 
3. Cut off the end of a sleeve in a straight line. Make sure you cut through both layers of the shirt to form a band. Cut the band as thick or as thin as you want depending on your forehead size and how much you sweat.  
4. Stretch the loop over your head, and you’ve got a sweatband! While cotton won’t hold much moisture, it’s better than getting sweat in your eyes. 

3. Use a Terrycloth Sweatband 

The traditional terrycloth sweatband is a go-to solution for NBA players like LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and the DeMarcus cousins. Channel these NBA stars to keep sweat out of your face during workouts. 

The terrycloth sweatband is thick, absorbent, elastic — and a step up from a homemade tee shirt band. Take a look at this Terrycloth sweatband, available for under two dollars on Amazon. 

However, there are some downsides to this product. Because terrycloth is thick and provides no ventilation, the thick fabric can make you sweat more. Although it’s more absorbent than a tee shirt, it also saturates quickly.  

4. Apply Petroleum Jelly or Lip Balm to Your Forehead 

Applying waxy substances to your face might seem strange, but runners and cyclists swear by it.  

Before a workout, apply a thin line of clear lip balm or petroleum jelly above your eyebrows. Angle the line slightly downward on each side so it points toward your ears. This way, sweat rolls off the side of your face, not down into your eyes.  

These products are invisible, lightweight and easy to wear during a workout. Just be sure to use a separate lip balm or jelly for your forehead. You don’t want to get germs from your mouth on your face.  

5. Wear a Gymwrap 

The Gymwrap is an easy, effective way to keep sweat out of your face during workouts.   

This performance sweatband has three layers of fabric to optimize the wicking process. It’s perfect for fitness enthusiasts, performance athletes and anyone who needs to shield sweat from their eyes and face. 

Unlike traditional sweatbands, Gymwrap is made from patented EvapoTech technology — a unique layering system that minimizes sweat absorption. With built-in ventilation, Gymwraps allow heat to escape, which slows the sweating process. 

If you struggle to secure sweatbands during your workout, Gymwrap is the perfect solution. The band ties around your head, so you get the perfect fit every time.  

You don’t have to deal with sweat in your face while exercising. Try out some of these methods, and let us know which works best for you!