How to apply deodorant correctly and stay hyper fresh all day
By Ollie Cox
The question of how to apply deodorant might seem relatively straight-forward. You just… put it on, right? But there are other factors to bear in mind. Like whether you want to use a deodorant or anti-perspirant, roll-ons vs sprays, and the best time of day to apply your deodorant.
If you’ve ever wondered how deodorant works to combat body odour, what can make it more effective, or you’re interested in the different types of deodorant on offer, then fear not. We hit up dermatologists and deodorant brands to see how it’s done.
Why do we wear deodorant?
OK newsflash: sweating is completely normal and human and healthy. It cools us down, producing liquid that evaporates from the skin to take some of our body heat away in the process. And when bacteria interacts with this liquid, it reacts scent-wise. “Odour is not actually caused by the sweat production itself. Body odour occurs when the sweat is left on the skin as this encourages the growth of odour-causing bacteria,” says Eli Miansarow, head of brand at refillable natural deodorant label Wild.
“There are a few factors that can affect how much or how little you need to apply deodorant including activity, the weather, your hygiene habits, diet and hydration levels,” says Charly Gabriel, Marketing lead at Fussy. And these can all have an impact on when and how we use it.