Sweat Concerns Intensify from Spring! April Marks the Turning Point. Over 80% Experience Performance Decline Due to Sweat ~The Top Issue Endured, Given Up On, or Troubled By Due to Sweat is 'Work/Efficiency'~

Mandom Corporation conducted an 'Awareness Survey on Sweat and Odor' targeting 1,000 men and women aged 10 to 50 to support the resolution of lifestyle-related sweat concerns.

The survey results highlighted that, in response to recent extreme heat and rising spring temperatures, the period when people become conscious of sweat is starting earlier. Furthermore, over 80% experience a decline in performance due to sweat, suggesting that implementing effective sweat countermeasures contributes to maintaining daily QOL.

Survey Result Summary

1. Approximately 70% feel that the timing of starting to sweat has become earlier. Already, about 1 in 4 people are conscious of sweat by 'April'.

2. The period when performance decline due to sweat is first felt also starts in 'April'.

3. Over 80% experience a decline in performance due to sweat. The most common response is a 30% drop in performance.

4. The top issue endured, given up on, or troubled by due to sweat is 'work/efficiency'.

Survey Results

■The timing of 'sweat awareness' has clearly become earlier due to rising spring temperatures

1.Approximately 70% feel that the timing of starting to sweat has become earlier. Already, about 1 in 4 people are conscious of sweat by 'April'. 
When asked if they felt that the timing of starting to sweat had become earlier in recent years (3-5 years), it was found that approximately 70% (69.6%) actually felt this way. In response to the question of when specifically they start to be conscious of sweat, the number of people who begin to be conscious of it rapidly increases from late March, reaching about 1 in 4 people (24.4%) by early April, revealing that awareness of sweat begins in earnest starting in 'April'. It is evident that what was once a refreshing spring has transformed into a season requiring 'sweat countermeasures' for modern people.

2.The period when performance decline due to sweat is first felt also starts in 'April'. 
When asked about the period when performance begins to decline due to sweat, it was found that 'April' serves as the starting point. While it remains below 10% until early April, it rapidly increases to 17.1% from mid-April onwards. April is a season prone to sweat's influence due to sudden summer-like days, highlighting the reality that 'the impact of sweat on performance' becomes evident from early spring.

■Performance tends to decline due to sweat

3.Over 80% experience a decline in performance due to sweat. About half of women in their 20s answered, "I can't even perform at half my usual capacity."

When asked about their state when concerned about sweat, assuming their usual performance is 100%, only 17.8% responded "No change from usual (100%)". It was found that over 80% (82.2%) experience a decline in performance due to sweat. The most frequent response was "in the 70% range," indicating that the most people feel their performance drops by 30% due to sweat. This "70% range" group has increased by approximately 2 points from 13.4% last year to 15.0%*, suggesting that productivity loss due to sweat has increased compared to last year.

※Sweat-related Survey (2025): https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001025.000006496.html

Additionally, the group feeling "unable to perform at even half their usual capacity (performance less than 50%)" accounted for 30.2% overall, with women in their 20s being particularly high at 45.0%, nearly half.

4.The top issue endured, given up on, or troubled by due to sweat was 'work/efficiency'.

When asked about what they endured, gave up on, or were troubled by due to sweat, 'work/efficiency' (18.6%) was the most frequent, followed by 'beauty' (18.0%), 'fashion' (16.4%), 'performance' (12.6%), and 'interpersonal interactions' (10.3%).

While women tend to have more concerns about beauty and fashion, the impact on work is significant for men. For all age groups of men, the top issue was 'work/efficiency', followed by 'performance', and tied for third place were 'fashion' and 'interpersonal interactions'. It became clear that in business settings and during commutes, sweat acts not only as a brake on 'efficiency' but also on 'interpersonal communication' psychologically. This psychological brake may lead to 'lost opportunities' in interpersonal situations and the like.

By age group, a high tendency to report declines in 'work/efficiency' and 'performance' was observed among teenagers of both genders. Among younger generations, values emphasizing 'efficiency/performance,' such as time performance (taipa) and cost performance (cospa), are spreading. The survey results also showed that the proportion of teenagers of both genders who feel that 'sweat affects efficiency/performance' is higher compared to other generations. It can be inferred that precisely because this generation tends to place a high value on efficiency and performance, they are more sensitive to decreases in efficiency caused by sweat.

■Conclusion

Due to recent record-breaking heat and rising spring temperatures, it has become evident that April is now the starting point for 'sweat awareness' and 'performance decline.' Over 80% experience a decline in performance due to sweat, and issues such as decreased work efficiency and psychological brakes in interpersonal relationships, referred to as 'productivity loss' and 'lost opportunities,' are challenges.

Spring often involves environmental changes due to new lifestyles, and it is thought that situations causing 'nervous sweat,' not just sweat from heat, will also increase. It is clear that sweat countermeasures are no longer just for summer but require early care starting from early spring. Without letting one's guard down by thinking "it's still spring," practicing 'sweat management' to appropriately control sweat according to the situation will be key to preventing discomfort and loss of confidence due to sweat, and to spending your time in your best state.

■ 'Awareness Survey on Sweat and Odor' Survey Overview

• Survey Method: Internet research

• Survey Period: March 7 - March 10, 2026

• Survey Target: 15-59 years old / Male and Female / n=1,000 (Mandom Survey)

■About Mandom's Research on Sweat and Odor

Mandom considers 'sweat' and 'odor' not just as physical issues, but as 'social problems' that significantly impact mental well-being and are closely related to QOL, and has focused its research on them. Their research has led to a wide range of achievements, including elucidating the mechanisms of sweat and odor generation, discovering unique body odor components specific to middle-aged individuals, and discovering ingredients that help dormant sweat glands.

Research Information Site: Sweat and Odor Research Institute

https://www.mandom.co.jp/sweat-smell/