Health & Fitness
10 Daily Habits That Can Make Deodorant Less Effective
2,028 5 minutes read
Depending on the type of product you wear, recommendations, in terms of how much you should wear, may vary. If you use aerosol deodorants, spray it 15 centimeters away from your armpit. You can determine how much deodorant to apply according to what the manufacturer of your favorite spray indicates. However, experts advise not to spray so much deodorant that you find yourself in a haze. That’s simply because it’s not needed: as a rule of thumb, spraying each armpit for about 2 seconds should be enough.
If your deodorant is a roll-on, then roll it over your underarm a couple of times for even coverage. If you prefer a stick, you just have to apply it 2 to 3 times and you’re done!
4. You don’t take into account the sensitivity of your skin.
If you experience a persistent underarm rash, you may have developed an allergy to your deodorant. In this case, you’ll be better off looking for an alternative. Try going for one that is specifically designed for sensitive skin and that doesn’t contain aluminum salts, fragrances, perfumes, or dyes. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), these 4 categories of ingredients can trigger allergies and irritation.
On the other hand, keep in mind that deodorant preservatives can also cause an allergic rash or irritation. For instance, parabens are a type of preservative that were once easily found in many personal care products, such as shampoos. While most deodorant companies have stopped using this particular element in their formulas, there are still some deodorants that contain traces of it.
5. You apply it immediately after shaving or epilating.
After you shave your armpits or epilate them, it’s better to wait a little while before applying any other products, including deodorant. Applying these to freshly shaved skin may cause some discomfort. Always make sure to let your skin rest for a while to reduce the chances of irritation from the use of this product.
6. You wear the same product when you exercise and when you’re just going to work.
During intense physical activity, your body’s natural reaction is to generate a lot of sweat. This is one of the reasons why the deodorant you normally wear might not be enough to keep you fresh and free of strong odors. The best thing to do in these cases is to wear a special deodorant specifically made to be used for athletic activities. There are specific formulas for that. You can even find natural products designed with this purpose in mind.
7. You wear synthetic fabrics on hot days.
Wearing tight-fitting clothing, especially items that are tight under the arms, can cause underarm stains on your clothes. Not only that, but these might make you sweat more too. So instead, during hot summer days, try wearing loose-fitting clothes made of breathable fabrics, such as cotton, linen, and moisture-wicking blends. This is especially true if you’re prone to heavy perspiration. Wearing the appropriate clothing will allow your body to remain cool while also preventing bad odors due to sweating.
8. You don’t keep yourself hydrated.
Much of our body’s hydration comes from the foods we eat. Fruits and vegetables are the most hydrating foods, some of them being almost entirely made of water. This is the case with watermelon, strawberries, melon, oranges, cucumbers, and lettuce — but there are many others.
Drinking enough water and eating these types of foods can keep your body cool and prevent excessive underarm sweating.
9. You wear the same clothes more than once.
If you were planning on wearing your favorite shirt again without washing it, you might want to give it a second thought. While it’s true that you don’t need to wash all your clothes every single time you wear them, you do have to take into account that smells can be absorbed by these fabrics. If for whatever reason you’re prone to heavy sweating during the day, you may need to wash your clothes more often. You can also wear a short-sleeved T-shirt under your clothes to cover your underarms and prevent odor from spreading to the outer layers.
10. You wear deodorant even when you don’t need to.
According to your genetic background, your sweat will be more or less conspicuous to odor-causing bacteria generated in the armpits. According to a study published in 2013 in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, people that have the ABCC11 gene are lucky enough to produce no underarm odor at all. However, most of them will still wear deodorant without actually needing to.
You can take a genetic test to find out if you’re one of those people who don’t produce odor and save yourself from unnecessary purchases and chemical exposures.
