Though body odour becomes a common occurrence right from the onset of puberty, it's never a comfortable thing to deal with for anyone whether it’s the person or the people around. That’s why of all the body care steps, wearing a deodorant is considered to be an unspoken rule. While making space for a deodorant or two in your vanity is one thing, knowing how to apply deodorant is a whole different ball game.
Ever found yourself wondering why you still get a bad odour even after spraying deodorant a couple of times? Are you confused about whether your natural deodorant really works? If yes, you’re on the right page – here’s the ultimate guide on how to apply deodorant the right way for lasting odour protection and all-day freshness.
Types Of Deodorant
Spray: Spray deodorants come in two forms – gas and no-gas. A gas deodorant usually comes in an aerosol can that dispenses the deodorising component with the help of a propellant or compressed gas. Aerosol sprays are ideal when you want even dispersion of the product to cover a single area in one go. Given the fine, cloudy nature of its mist, it also quickly dries on the skin. Unlike gas deodorants, no-gas deodorants don't have vaporisers and are mostly liquid. While they may last longer, no-gas deodorants don't give odour protection as well as aerosol ones do. However, they can lend freshness and a pleasant fragrance while giving minimal odour protection.
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Aerosol
No Gas
Roll-On: Roll-on refers to the dispensing mechanism of liquid deodorants. The roller ball comes directly in contact with the skin to deodorise the area. It’s always recommended to give each underarm 4-5 swipes to give optimal odour protection. These work just as well as aerosol sprays. However, it’s recommended not to share roll-ons as it’s unhygienic.
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Stick: These kinds of deodorants come in solid form in retractable packaging. They’re relatively more convenient and travel-friendly. They also absorb into the skin faster, making it ideal for when you’re in a hurry. Just like roll-ons, we also don’t recommend sharing stick deodorants to maintain proper hygiene.
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Antiperspirant: The main difference between an antiperspirant and a deodorant is that the former reduces sweat and odour while the latter only gives odour protection. Antiperspirants are ideal for those who sweat excessively or are physically more active.
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Fragrance-free options: Fragrance can be triggering for sensitive underarms that can lead to skin irritation and dark underarms. If you find that regular deodorants sting your underarms, consider fragrance-free options. While it may not smell like anything, rest assured that you stay fresh and odour-free.
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Natural/aluminium-free deodorants:strong> These have risen in popularity in recent years. Natural deodorants make use of natural ingredients without chemical components like aluminium which is the main ingredient in regular deodorants to block sweat and odour. While there’s some apprehension regarding aluminium as being carcinogenic, there’s no potential data to confirm that aluminium carries potential health risks. Therefore, while aluminium deodorants are still safe to use, here’s what you should keep in mind if you want to know how to apply natural/aluminium-free deodorants.
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Switching To Natural/Aluminium-Free Deodorants
Simply put, the whole process of switching to a natural/aluminium-free deodorant gets worse before it gets better. Why? Aluminium’s main role is to plug the sweat glands to block sweat. Sometimes, along with sweat, sebum and impurities also get trapped. So when you stop using regular deodorants, your body takes time to adjust. In this interim period, it may appear as though you’re sweating profusely which is actually your body’s natural response to open up the sweat glands to release all the toxins that were trapped. It’s a truth bomb but you will experience excess wetness and odour for the first few weeks in your underarms. But relax! Once your body gets used to the switch, you will go back to reaping the benefits of your deodorant.
How To Apply Deodorants The Correct Way
The barrier between the skin and the deodorant dilutes the product’s efficacy. So, always wait to dry off completely after a shower. If you’re sweating profusely, dab the area off with a tissue before applying deodorant.
1. Use The Right Cleanser
Bathing in deodorant rather than taking an actual shower may be a running joke but it’s crucial to cleanse the underarms thoroughly. Use a gentle body wash or bar soap and cleanse the underarms for at least 30 seconds to help the foam break down impurities, residual deodorant and sebum. This will unclog the pores and help a fresh application of deodorant perform better.
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2. Use Active-Based Serums
Active ingredients like vitamin C, niacinamide and retinol are great ways to nourish the skin on your underarms. Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants while niacinamide helps regulate oil production. Retinol reverses signs of skin damage. Keep in mind, that you do not need them all. Just pick. These serums are best used at night since your sweat glands are dormant. This will allow the serum to absorb into the skin. Only use 2-3 drops per underarm.
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3. Exfoliate Regularly
Just like your face and body, your underarms need regular exfoliation, too. This will help unclog the pores and extract stubborn toxins and sebum to allow fresh deo to penetrate the skin better. If you’re using a physical scrub, make sure to use gentle circular motions to avoid irritating the skin. If you’re using chemical exfoliants, use a chemical peeling solution that has both AHA and BHA to dissolve dead skin cells, excess oil and toxins. Keep it for no more than the recommended amount of time.
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4. Use A Clay Mask
A clay mask isn’t just for the face. Using a clay mask is a great way to detoxify the skin and rid the underarms of toxins and impurities. This would especially come in handy when you’re switching to natural deodorants.
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5. Apply As Per Directions
It may be enticing but stay moderate with it. If it’s a roll-on or stick, stick to only three to four swipes. If it’s a spray, go for only one or two sprays. Applying too much will clog the pores which will lead the pores to produce even more sebum and sweat.
6. Take Occasional Breaks
While applying deodorants is an essential part of a grooming regimen, try to give your underarms a break from them at regular intervals. This will help the underarms to breathe and regulate sweat.
7. Don’t Apply Deodorant To Wet Underarms
We all tend to be in a rush at times and apply deodorants right after a shower. Sometimes, in a desperate bid to keep the freshness rolling after a sweat session at the gym, we go in with another layer of deodorant on sweaty underarms. We’ve all been guilty of it. The truth is that deodorants are best applied to dry skin. Water and sweat act as a barrier between the skin and the product, preventing the deodorant from properly absorbing into the skin.
