Fact checked by Nick Blackmer
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I love being outside in the summer. What I don’t love is when the weather turns humid and sticky, and I’m drenched in sweat minutes after stepping out of my apartment.
Because of this unfortunate fact of life in warm weather, I have deodorant on my mind more than usual. Specifically, should I be applying it at a certain time of day or otherwise tweaking my routine to maximize my chances of a sweat- and stench-free summer?
I asked Ida Orengo, MD, professor and chair of dermatology at the Baylor College of Medicine—here’s what she said.
The question: What is the best time to apply deodorant?
The answer is slightly complicated—that’s because most products we call “deodorants” are actually combinations of a deodorant (for odor) and an antiperspirant (for sweat).
Although they’re often found together in products, it turns out that the ideal time to apply a deodorant is not necessarily the same as the ideal time to apply an antiperspirant.
Dr. Orengo’s explanation: “A deodorant masks body odor, but it doesn’t stop sweating. Application can be at any time but should always be applied to freshly cleaned skin—you don’t want to add a layer to sweaty skin with bacteria.
“Antiperspirants are usually aluminum-based products that plug the sweat glands. The best time to apply an antiperspirant is at nighttime, when the glands are less active. The effects can last up to 24 hours.”
Credit: Baylor College of Medicine
So, when should you apply a combo antiperspirant/deodorant product?
It’s best to apply antiperspirants at night, so you could apply your combo product then. However, many people like to apply deodorant before they leave the house in the morning to make sure they’re smelling their best. If you’re in that camp, it may be best to ditch your combo product altogether.
Dr. Orengo’s explanation: “The time to use a combo product is when you want to decrease sweating (antiperspirant) and control body odor (deodorant). Since you don’t want to use antiperspirant more than once every 24 hours, I would probably suggest that combo agents are not necessary.”
What about products that say they last for more than 24 hours?
“If you are using a high-powered antiperspirant that says it is effective for 36 hours, 48 hours, etc., I would not suggest using it daily,” Orengo told Health. “These products can irritate the skin.”
Any other tips for ideal antiperspirant or deodorant application?
Timing is a crucial part of setting yourself up for success with your deodorant and antiperspirant—however, there are lots of other factors that can influence how sweaty or stinky you feel throughout your day.
Here are some strategies for better deodorant/antiperspirant results, according to Orengo:
- “Make sure you know if you’re using a deodorant or an antiperspirant—only an antiperspirant will decrease sweating.
- The best way to apply antiperspirant is on dry skin. Using antiperspirants on wet skin can dilute the product and make it less effective, as well as make it more irritating. Some suggest waiting 30 minutes after bathing to ensure the axillae (armpits) are dry or using a hairdryer to speed up the drying process.
- Let your product completely dry before putting on clothing to prevent it from staining or rubbing off.
- Never apply deodorants on sweaty skin, as this can trap bacteria and worsen odor.
- Upgrade to a product that contains higher concentrations of aluminum salts (which plug sweat glands).
- Change up the timing. If you’re applying in the morning, for example, change to the evening—do this for about two weeks to give the product time to build up and work.
- If nothing is working, schedule a dermatology appointment to explore prescription options.”
