I sweat really easily, so when I ride the sweat pour down my face and into eyes as well as across my glasses. How do you keep the sweat out of your eyes, especially when you're wearing a helmet? Sweatbands give me a headache, so I don't wear them.

I rub olive oil on my forehead and eyelids then wipe off with towel. The sweat runs right off no more stinging eyes.

Charlie

maybe get a sweat band that fits.

I had the same issue and did a couple of things.
One is I bought a well ventilated helmet to get more air to my head, let the heat escape and dry my head.
Two is I started wearing Halo bandana.
Now the only sweat I get in my eyes is very little produced from my eyebrows to my eyelids. Pretty rare that happens.

One of my worst, though not horrible cycling accidents occurred when I tried to wipe sweat from my eyes, and went off the road crashed. I also wear eyeglasses too, and I now always wear at least a sweatband and I find them lightweight and comfortable.

However, during the winter I wear a sturdy paper surgical scrub cap to which I affix a piece of Velcro to suspend my safety goggles as a windscreen to protect my eyes, with adequate ventilation to avoid fogging by my exhaled moist air (see picture). Now for the summer I also wear a scrub cap as a “sweat catcher.” The paper is absorbent to hold the sweat, yet sturdy enough not to shred. It’s lightweight and comfortable without constriction, and an added benefit is to act as a sun screen for the scalp unshaded by the helmet vents.

I have the same problem on long, hot climbs. Once that salt gets in your eyes, there is no alternative ... gotta stop and wipe it down.

1. Make sure you are not putting sunscreen on your forehead (it's likely not exposed anyway, and sunscreen makes it much worse)
2. Headbands and the like don't always solve the problem, but they can defer it. That works if they defer it long enough to finish the climb.
3. I use a Halo headband, and it works fairly well. They have a band that acts to channel the perspiration away from your eyes.

I've never heard of the olive oil trick ... does that really work?

I wear a Headsweats do rag. No pinching or headaches, and it keeps the sweat out of my eyes and off my Rx glasses.

I use the Sweat Gutr.

I've got a 100% solution but you might not be ready to consider it. For a hint, check out my avatar.

I use a Headsweats Shorty do-rag. It keeps sweat out of my eyes and bugs out of my hair. Works well even on a hot summer day or even cool spring and fall days.

Tried them all: Sweat Gutr, Halo, Sweathawg, Headsweat with perspiration band and without. Sweat Gutr returned after one ride of burning eyes Sweathawg would've been returned but ordered online and didn't want to deal with the return. It's almost worthless as I get sweat in my eyes even on colder days. I was extremely disappointed with it as their marketing says it should work really well. The Halo worked well enough, but the thin rubber barrier bugs me. The one I use on any long hot ride is the Headsweat with the band. It works better than the others, but on a long climb on a 75+F day, I usually still get sweat in my eyes. Never tried the olive oil suggestion. Mine is garlic flavored. If it really works I get to keep the sweat out of my eyes and ward off vampires too! Win win.

+1. I learned that one the hard way.

I seem to remember reading somewhere about putting vaseline or chapstick in/above the eyebrows, to channel the sweat away from the eyes.

+2. That's how I learned that it's really not a good idea to ride with my eyes closed .

I use Headsweats (regular and shorty - no, not at the same time) do rags. They work OK. But on a long steep climb, especially if temps are 80+, I'll often take off my glasses and tuck them in my helmet. I can't see as well, and I miss my rear view mirror, but at least I can easily wipe my face and eyes.

+1 Except... I am too cheap for the name brand do-rags. I buy the $2 cotton ones.

I have a theory that this problem gets worse as you age, owing to the guiding effects of crows feet and so on. No idea if I am just imagining this.

I use Halo headbands off the bike and, since I'm balding, the Halo Skull Cap (white) on the bike. If you're getting headaches, your helmet is too tight. Might need a larger size.

I bought some cheap 3-for-a-buck nylon headbands. They dry fast, and they are somewhat loose. But they're thin so they don't squeeze mt head when the helmet's on.

A halo headband has always worked for me too. If the olive oil trick works, I might try that as well

Sweat band. Couldn't ride without one.

I wear the Pace skull caps always. Since I started doing that, sweat in my eyes almost never happens. They are not expensive, so I wear a clean one every ride and toss it in the wash when I get home. Big plus - my helmet stays far cleaner and clean smelling. I even weaqr them under my hats in the winter. Again, those hats stay clean.

As for sunscreen - I use Aloe Gator Gel over and around my eyes, even over my eyelids. It does not run.

Ben

I will have to try the olive oil procedure, as I haven't heard of it either. But I too continually fight sweat in the eyes and I've tried about all the headbands. On a fast group ride in hot weather, its just no way to avoid it. Headbands just make me hotter, although I generally do wear one on recovery or long easy rides I will say however, that routinely washing the helmut pads helps take the salt out. The issue is, as the pads dry the minerals remain. Then when you are riding and sweating again, you end up with a more concentrated perspiration in your eyes and yes, it burns. I rinse my pads after every ride.

Buff®Sports | Cycling

Depending upon temperature / season, I'm either wearing an original (full size) or half Buff. Prior to this I swore by the Halo headbands, but I've found the Buffs to be more comfortable and versatile. I wear the full size in the winter while snowboarding as well.

Thanks for all the tips. I'll try them.

Skull Cap