Antiperspirant is most effective when applied to clean, dry skin. If you use it in the morning right after your shower, your skin might be too wet to absorb the formula properly. If you apply it when you're rushing out the door, your antiperspirant may not have enough time to block your sweat glands.
Applying antiperspirant straight after showering
It makes sense to put your antiperspirant on as soon as you're clean to prevent any rogue sweating. But the problem is, your pits might still be damp. "To get the best results you apply antiperspirant to completely dry skin," says Dr Dawn.
The most effective time of day to apply deodorant is at night before going to bed, and it is especially important to apply your antiperspirant at night. Your body temperature is lower and your underarms dryer at this time, so the deodorant will have a better chance to work on your skin.
Taking a shower in the morning after you put on antiperspirant at night can remove some of the fragrance, so it can be nice to add a layer of deodorant after showering for a fresh feeling. If you tend to sweat a lot, you may wish to apply deodorant or antiperspirant more often.
Dry your skin completely: Antiperspirants and deodorants should be applied to completely dry skin because wetness can make the formula less effective.
"Perspiration levels are not as high compared to daytime and usually the 'deodorizing' is most important during the daytime. While using it occasionally at bedtime is not harmful, use of deodorants around the clock may be an additional source of unnecessary irritation to the skin."
Deodorant application formats are a matter of personal preference. If you're always on the go and don't sweat much, a deodorant that dries quickly might be essential for you. On the other hand, if you have hyperhidrosis or sweat excessively, you may need an antiperspirant that's effective for treating sweat.
Shower at least once a day (or every morning and night) and scrub your extra-sweaty areas with a scent-free, antibacterial bath soap. Stay away from strongly scented soaps, which can make your armpits smell worse.
“Depending on your body and what type of deodorant/antiperspirant you're using, you may not need to apply every single day,” explains Dove dermatologist, Alicia Barba, MD, in Miami. Some antiperspirants are made to last 48 hours, which means daily application isn't essential.
For those wondering, “How much deodorant should I put on?” We recommend 2-3 swipes under each arm for the best results. If you find that residue is transferring to your clothes, it's likely that you're applying too much.
Ultimately, you can apply deodorant as much as you like (swipe on!), so long as you don't face any irritation from the formula—which can happen with both traditional and natural picks. As always, do what's right for your skin: If your skin can't handle too much, perhaps limit the frequency—damp pits be damned.
These glands release a milky fluid when you are stressed and are odorless until they come into contact with bacteria. Hair is particularly prone to trapping bacteria, which is why men are more likely to smell even after showering. In other words, lingering underarm odor is caused by enduring bacteria.
After your shower or bath, apply an antiperspirant and deodorant. Most over-the-counter antiperspirants contain aluminum-based compounds that block your body's eccrine glands, preventing you from sweating. Deodorants repel the bacteria that cause odor, and may contain an additional fragrance.
Sweat is mostly sterile." Indeed, we've reported that sweat isn't what makes you smell after you work out; it's the bacteria on your skin. In fact, Larson says that overwashing can be harmful for some people. "For older people or people with extremely dry skin, it's probably better for them not to shower," she says.
Less body odor
When you remove hair under the armpits, it reduces trapped odor. A 2016 study involving men found that removing armpit hair by shaving significantly reduced axillary odor for the following 24 hours. Similar results were first found in a 1953 paper .
It would be amazing if you could sniff yourself and immediately pick up on any emanating odors, but alas, life isn't so simple. According to Lifehacker, it can be quite difficult to detect your own body odors because the receptors in your nose shut down after smelling the same scent for too long.
However, if it dries on the skin, it can smell. Apocrine glands release a thick fluid that smells when it mixes with the bacteria on the skin.
Managing without deodorant
“If you stop wearing deodorant or antiperspirant, you can develop a stronger odor over time,” Doyle said. “When you stop using (such products) and sweat more, this creates a breeding ground for bacterial and fungal overgrowth, which can cause odor to become stronger.”
With that being said, if you're in a hurry, or prefer the feeling of a dry application, a stick deodorant may be your best bet. If you prefer a soft application with a powdery finish and have some time to enjoy the little pleasures in life, choose a roll-on deodorant.
If you apply antiperspirant at night, it's proven to be more effective at keeping you dry than during the day. A study by the British Journal of Dermatology found that if you apply antiperspirant at night – when your body naturally sweats less – “it improves conditions for the active ingredients to enter the duct”.
Don't use deodorant
The area around your vaginal opening — the vulva — is made of very delicate and sensitive tissue. Antiperspirants and deodorants may work for your pits, but they can do more than a little damage below the belt.
Using antiperspirants helps reduce the sweating, sweat patches on clothes and the odor that comes with accumulated sweat after a period of time. For the sake of yourself and those around you, you should use deodorant everyday. This keeps you smelling and feeling fresh.
Use essential oils
To smell naturally good, going natural is the answer. Essential oils have been a part of aromatherapy for centuries. While perfumes also derive their notes from nature, choosing an all-natural essential oil can make you smell fresh, moisturize your skin and treat skin problems as well.
These glands release a milky fluid when you are stressed and are odorless until they come into contact with bacteria. Hair is particularly prone to trapping bacteria, which is why men are more likely to smell even after showering. In other words, lingering underarm odor is caused by enduring bacteria.