How to Apply Deodorant – Everything You Need to Know
Role on Role off…Most of us do it every morning.
…I wish. We all know that’s not true.
This article is for those who do it, do what you ask?
well, apply deodorant, of course.
Let’s face it; nobody wants to walk around with body odor. Yet still, applying deodorant is probably one part of your daily grooming routine that receives little of your attention.
Surprisingly enough, there are some definite dos and don’ts when it comes to deodorant application.
To help to simplify things a little for you, I’ve laid out some useful tips to keep in mind regarding how, when, and where to put on deodorant.
How to Apply Deodorant
There are some basic rules to follow when considering the proper ways of how to apply deodorant.
We all know that one guy who has white deodorant marks streaking down the sides of his shirt. You don’t want to be him. Make sure to let your deodorant completely dry before throwing on clothes. After getting dressed, it’s also a good idea to check the sides of your shirt to make sure no sneaky white streaks have shown up—just for quality assurance purposes.
First and foremost, your skin needs to be clean. If you’re applying deodorant just after getting out of the shower, excellent, but if not, make sure you’re washing your underarms with soap and water or at least a cleansing cloth. If you don’t do this, you’ll just end up rubbing your deodorant over a layer of sweat.
Secondly, make sure that you’re thoroughly applying your deodorant. For must of us, this probably means using more than one pass up and down to cover the area of skin you’re trying to coat properly. Take caution not to cake it on, though.
Deodorant Application Tips
There are several types of deodorants, each one should be applied differently.
Stick
Turn the dial on the bottom of the applicator so that the bar pops up high enough so that the plastic portion of the stick won’t scrape up against your skin. You should only need a couple of passes up and down the surface of your skin to get proper full coverage.
Spray
Hold the can a few inches away from your body. Just a sharp, short spray should be enough to do the trick.
Gel
Similar to the description for stick variations, you should only need a couple of passes up and down the skin with a gel deodorant to get a thorough application. Make sure to wait a couple of minutes to let the gel completely dry before attempting to put on a shirt.
Cream
Figuring out how to apply deodorant that is in cream form can be a little trickier.
Once you get the hang of it, though, application will seem like a breeze. You just need to put a pea-sized amount of cream on your finger and then gently rub it in until smooth. You’ll know you’ve used the correct amount of cream if your underarms don’t feel sticky afterward.
Antiperspirant vs. Deodorant
This fact may come as a surprise, but sweat doesn’t actually stink. Sweat is wet but has no scent. Body odor comes from bacteria living on the skin.
Generally speaking, antiperspirant helps to stop you from sweating so much, where, on the other hand, deodorant works to combat bacteria so that an unpleasant smell doesn’t even have the chance to occur. Depending on your needs, you can buy antiperspirant and deodorant separately, or some brands sell products that contain a combination of the two.
When Is It Best to Apply?
If you don’t want to sweat then you should be using an antiperspirant.
One of the most common mistakes is putting antiperspirant on as part of the morning routine.
So when should you put it on? The best time to put antiperspirant on is before bed.
There are a couple of different reasons for this:
Antiperspirant works by plugging up sweat ducts. During the day you’re busy moving around engaging in activities so your body temperature is usually higher than it is at night. When you’re sleeping and resting, your body temperature drops. Lower body temperatures mean less sweat and more of an opportunity for antiperspirant to work into your skin without any disruptions.
Secondly, it takes a little while for antiperspirant to begin doing its job. Allowing it to sit on your skin overnight gives it time to work its magic so that you’re sweat-free once morning rolls around.
Don’t worry; this doesn’t mean that you have to skip your morning shower. Antiperspirant works hard at plugging up sweat glands for around 24 hours regardless of whether your skin becomes wet or not. Since antiperspirant works for so long, there’s no need to reapply it again once the morning comes.
If you aren’t planning to take a shower before bed, just make sure to clean your underarms before putting on your antiperspirant as part of your nightly routine. If sweat is present, antiperspirant has a harder time working on your skin, which makes it less efficient.
Don’t Care About Sweat?
If sweat isn’t an issue for you, using a product that is simply a deodorant that stops unpleasant smells might just do the trick.
Deodorant is more low maintenance than antiperspirant. You can apply deodorant whenever you need to—be it morning or night. Something else I like about a deodorant is that if you need a midday refresher, it’s okay to apply it again.
In case you’re using an antiperspirant, apply it once before going to bed. Make sure your underarms are clean. If you’re using a deodorant you can apply it whenever you want.
Where to Apply
Obviously, deodorant is excellent for use on the underarms, but other places of the body can benefit from this versatile product as well.
It’s okay to apply deodorant virtually anywhere on the body. Deodorants help to prevent friction and kill off bacteria. During the warmer months of the year, I’m sure your underarms aren’t the only places getting a little warm and sweaty.
Where precisely can you use deodorant, you ask?
For starters, try applying some to the bottom of your feet to help tame any unwanted odors. Your inner thighs might benefit from a little deodorant as well since it can reduce friction and lead to less chafing issues.
If you’re using an antiperspirant, consider using it on your hairline and hands. Using an antiperspirant on your hairline helps to keep sweat out of your eyes, and applying it to the palms of your hands can take care of clammy hands issues.
If you plan on using a gel or solid deodorant on multiple parts of your body, it may be a good idea to stock up on a couple of different applicators. Whenever possible, I also try to stick to natural products to reduce chances of irritation.
You can apply a deodorant on your underarms, bottom of your feet, inner thighs. In case of an antiperspirant you can use it on your hairline and hands.
What If I’m Using a Cologne?
A lot of deodorants are made with fragrances because it helps to beef up their odor-fighting powers. Clinical-strength antiperspirants are often unscented, but there are some brands out there that contain fragrances.
While we all can appreciate pleasant smelling things, most people agree that wearing a bunch of different scents at once isn’t the most appealing thing in the world.
If you’re a cologne-wearing gentleman, I suggest purchasing a deodorant that is unscented. Alternatively, if using a fragrance-free deodorant doesn’t interest you, just make sure to choose a scent that complements the cologne that you wear. In my experience, brands that use natural fragrances tend to mix well with other scented grooming products.
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