7 Deodorant Mistakes You May Be Making

Alliance/fotolia

Using deodorant is simple, right? You put it on your armpits and walk out the door safe from odor. Well, not so fast. It turns out you might be making these seven deodorant mistakes:

1) You might be confusing deodorants and antiperspirants.

"The distinguishing difference between deodorants and antiperspirants is that the latter contains aluminum chloride, an ingredient used to block sweat," Delphine Lee, M.D., Ph.D., a dermatologist and director of the Dermatological Center for Skin Health at Providence Saint John's Health Center told Women’s Health.

Once antiperspirant is applied, your sweat ducts are temporarily plugged which stops the sweat.

The main job for deodorant is to mask the scent. If you sweat a lot, you might want to use antiperspirant instead, according to Bustle.

2) You might be using deodorant at the wrong time.

That’s right. As mentioned, antiperspirants block your pores to prevent sweat, but it doesn’t happen immediately so apply it before going to bed.

Why? Your sweat glands are typically less active at night, wrote The Sun. So applying it at night should last the entire next day. And your morning shower won’t wash away the antiperspirant since your sweat ducts are already clogged by the aluminum chloride.

Business Insider says to apply either antiperspirant or deodorant at night.

However, Marc Malek M.D., an Arizona-based plastic surgeon told Women’s Health, “Deodorant can be applied at any time during the day, but the evening time is usually best for antiperspirants, when you’re not sweating as much.”

3) You might be applying it after you’re already sweating.

You can apply deodorant after you've started sweating but it might be too late to do its job, Bustle cautions. Applying it after your shower will keep the odor at bay.

4) You might not be applying enough.

This is the time when more is actually good. The goal is to completely cover your sweat glands. So use a lot of antiperspirant on your entire underarm area. This will ensure all of your sweat ducts are covered, Women’s Health wrote.

5) You might be putting it on right after shaving.

Our skin can be sensitive after shaving. Applying deodorant right afterward may sting a bit. Waiting a short while before putting on deodorant will give your skin a chance to become a little less sensitive.

6) You might be thinking it’s just your underarms.

Shocker! No, it’s not just for your armpits. Go ahead and use it in other places like behind your knees, under your breasts and wherever else you may sweat. It can also prevent chafing if you put it on your inner thighs, according to Bustle.

7) You might have used the same product for too long.

If you apply antiperspirant dutifully and still sweat a lot, switch to a different product. Your body can actually develop a resistance to an antiperspirant. This can result in growth of bad microbes from moisture and an unwelcome odor.

Reviewed November 10, 2016
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith

Recent Posts

Do You Have Excess Skin from Weight Loss? Donate It

Can You Get Shingles from the Flu Shot?

My Itchy Journey: Overcoming 10 Years of Misdiagnosed Skin Allergies

Why Can’t I Type or Speak? Scary Symptoms that Can Accompany Migraine with Aura

Add a CommentComments

There are no comments yet. Be the first one and get the conversation started!

Do you really want to post anonymously?

Are You a Member? Log InConnect your comment to your member profile. It only takes a second!

 

Not a Member? Join Now!You'lll be automatically notified when someone else comments on your post.

Tell us what you think Write your comment here *

Leave this field blank

Receive email notifications of new comments Email Addresss

Sign me up for EmpowHER Updates

What code is in the image? *

Enter the characters shown in the image.

By submitting this form, you agree to EmpowHER's terms of service and privacy policy

Tags:

• Skin Products
• Wellness