Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with deodorant

Happy to sweat, but not to stink

Anonymous — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:00:23 -0800

Is there an effective aluminum-free deodorant? There have been quite a few deodorant questions on Ask, but none of them are quite what I'm looking for. I need an aluminum-free deodorant because my doctor told me that I should use one, but as a woman they are very difficult to find, at least in my experience. I've been using men's Speed Stick for years (the woman's counterpart contains aluminium) and it's generally fine but sometimes -- especially now that I'm in a high stress environment in a hotter climate than I'm used to -- it doesn't cut it. I don't mind using men's deodorant, I don't care what it smells like, I just want it to work! Tom's of Maine irritated my skin a lot when I used it, so that is out. I also found it to be much less effective than the Speed Stick. The deodorant rocks that people always bring up in deodorant threads appear to basically be solid aluminum (am I wrong about this?) so that is out as well.

I'm not concerned about sweat or wetness; I just don't want to smell like I didn't shower. I do shower, every morning, so that isn't the problem. This doesn't happen all of the time; it seems to be when I'm in a high-pressure situation or when I'm wearing long sleeves.

I've also noticed that my nice sweaters (mostly 100% cashmere) have a smell sort of embedded in them that dry cleaning won't remove. They smell fine until they're on my body for about an hour, and then I think that my body heat, or possibly the new sweat, activates this scent. Is there any hope for wearing these again? I've had them dry cleaned and that didn't do a thing, much to my embarrassment. Are these sweaters ruined, or can they somehow be saved?

Should I be considering perfume or a body spray or something else? I don't really like wearing perfume, and I don't want to smell like anything in particular; I would prefer to smell mild or like nothing at all. I also think that perfume would just be masking the smell and not getting at the root of the problem.

Deodoranting..

Anonymous — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:49:50 -0800

My body has become immune to every deodorant I've tried. I need advice regarding a heavy duty deodorant which won't stain the armpits of my shirts. I have tried the major brand stick deodorants, baking soda, and was using salt crystal for nearly a year before my body suddenly overcame its power.

I use certain-dri for antiperspirant and it works like a charm, but no matter what I use for deodorant, by the end of the day I can smell my body odor.

Throwaway e-mail: anon.deodorant@gmail.com

(Anonymous because coworkers, friends, and family trace me to this site and I want to resolve this before it becomes their issue.)

What would be the adult equivalent of Axe body spray?

teg4rvn — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:35:33 -0800

I need a body spray recommendation for a middle age guy. Can anyone recommend anything that won't make me smell like an over-cologned teenager hoping to be the next star of an AXE commercial? I'm one of those guys who sweats for 30-60 minutes after completing vigorous exercise. I take a shower at the gym, but by the time I leave the building I've got sweat marks all over my shirt front and back from the residual perspiring. I use underarm deodorant, but I was considering some sort of body spray to mask/diminish/neutralize any leftover smell. Can anyone recommend a subtle, "mature" body spray? Those AXE commercials are hilarious, but I have a feeling they are too scented for my taste (With that said, I've never tried any of them, so who knows)

Help me smell pretty in halter tops!

birdlady — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:48:32 -0800

Why do I have body odor when I wear sleeveless things, and how can I prevent this? I always see people running around in tank tops and strapless dresses. I've never noticed any of them having body odor, not even at outdoor events on hot days. However, I can't even wear a sleeveless top in a cool room without noticing body odor within 15 mins or so. This is embarrassing, and also limits my clothing choices since most non-tshirt options with sleeves tend to be matronly. Btw, I'm NOT looking for clothing suggestions, that was just an example.

The problem isn't sweat, this happens even when I'm perfectly dry. Nonetheless, I have tried certain-dri, clinical strength secret and all the other extra-strong antiperspirant options with no success. I've experimented with all non-prescription brands (do they even make prescription deodorant? I know about prescription antiperspirant) for men and women, in all formulations: roll on, stick, gel stick and aerosol. Nothing seems to make a difference, though aerosol seems to be slightly more effective.

My routine now is stick + aerosol, and I keep a small stick in my purse and "touch up" multiple times through out the day. Sometimes I use body wipes before I apply more, that doesn't seem to make a difference. At best, the touch-ups help mask the problem somewhat, but it does not prevent it.

Basic stats in case my age, health and diet are relevant: I'm female, 30, healthy, not overweight, well hydrated (hydration seemed to come up in previous B.O. questions), vegetarian, don't consume any more garlic, onions or pungent spices than the next person. I don't like many dairy items, so my dairy intake is limited. My diet typically consists of fruit, veggies, water, grains and beans. I don't drink coffee and have a soda or two a week. I'm not a health freak, just a picky eater. The only medications I take are OTC allergy pills and advil when needed.

So, I'm curious about why this happens, and if this happens to everyone but somehow everyone else has a better method to deal with it. More than knowing why it happens, I'd like suggestions about what I can do to prevent this!!

Pea-sized lump in underarm. Should I fly home at once, or can I wait and see if it improves?

limon — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:47:30 -0800

You are not my doctor, but I need your advice to help me decide if I should fly home and see one immediately, or wait things out a bit. I have a pea-sized lump in my underarm that is a bit painful when touched. I am a Canadian, uninsured in the States. Male, mid-twenties. Until I discovered it, I had been using an aluminum-based antiperspirant (Mitchum) on a daily basis, more frequently than I usually do given the muggy weather. On Sunday I noticed it and promptly stopped. Since then its size has remained constant and the discomfort too.

I can fly home and see a doctor, but that would involve reneging on some important commitments. Seeing a doctor here is not within my reach, particularly if it involves paying for tests. I've called my family doctor back home but he is out of town at the moment and so unable to dispense advice on the phone. (Other doctors are available, though, if I go back, obviously.)

I've been experiencing a tremendous amount of anxiety lately (unrelated to my health) and have taken NyQuil several nights in a row to help me sleep. (Doxylamine is the only OTC hypnotic that works for me.) Otherwise healthy and not on any medication.

My plan is to wait a bit and see if it improves. Am I being reckless?

I realize you are not my doctor, that this is not substitute for professional advice, and absolve you of any responsibility.

How do I stop the armpit stains on my white t-shirts?

helios410 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:24:30 -0800

Men's armpit filter: My antiperspirant/deodorant (or me) is staining the armpit area of my white cotton t-shirts. This is happening after literally one to two uses of the shirt. What gives? Can someone recommend a antiperspirant/deodorant that does not do this? Currently I use Degree for men.

Help me avoid smelling like a hacky sack all-star.

Roman Graves — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 19:58:29 -0800

I'd like to start using more natural bath and body products, but I don't want to smell like flowers or hippies. I currently use Old Spice products for all my shower and deodorant needs, and love the way they smell, but want something more organic. Are there natural products out there with a more masculine smell than lilac and more pleasant than patchouli? I browsed the Lush site, and there seemed to be some possibilities there, but first hand opinions are appreciated. Deodorants are the main issue.

Will being Surer make me un-Sure?

simplethings — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 09:30:35 -0800

If I start using deodorant will I start producing unpleasant BO? I don't use deodorant (or an antiperspirant) but I want to because I like the smell. Whenever I run into a guy that smells good most of the time it's due to his deodorant.

I do wear cologne but it fades before the end of the day... people have to bunch up my shirt and stick their nose directly unto it to notice the scent. I could bathe in the stuff but I don't think anyone would enjoy that.
Same with scented soap--although the soap fades much faster.
The new laundry scent on my clothes can last a whole day but it also requires direct nose contact to be noticable.

I don't need deodorant. I've never noticed any ... off smells before, neither have my very honest friends or exes (I've asked). I barely sweat under my arms too. My calves will be dripping sweat before my pits even show hints of perspiration.

So, now my biggest fear is that once I start using it I'll start needing it. I've read comments on deodorant related threads here where people say that they never realized how bad their BO was until they started using deodorant. Could that happen to me (despite my lack of offensive BO to begin with)?

Are there any other risks I should consider?
I understand that aluminum could be dangerous in antiperspirants but I'm only looking at deodorants.
I also don't consider it a risk that people might be offended/irritated/angered by my choice in scents or products... although, I promise I won't overdo it.
I also understand that smelling like nothing or "only noticing your cologne when my nose is touching your skin" can be desirable, but it's not what I want.
I love smelling people who smell good... and I want to smell good too.

Deodorant Questions

Anonymous — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 19:35:28 -0800

Tell me about deodorant. As someone in my 20s, I feel silly asking these questions, but I've never been able to smell myself very well and therefore don't really know how to answer them.

1. Which deodorants brands and types are generally most effective?
2. For deodorant sticks, how many swipes do you use under each armpit? (Swipe = 1 motion, up or down.)
3. Besides asking a friend, is there any way to tell if you stink?

I stink

Anonymous — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 10:30:17 -0800

How do I deal with late-day b.o.? I am not sure why, but recently I have started to have more b.o. than before. I have always been someone who sweats easily, but my antiperspirant and deodorant have been able to handle it. Recently however, I often feel that late in the day that I am starting to smell.

I am not sure what to do. I am in my early 30s. I work in an office setting, but I am also often in front of large groups teaching. I tend to use antiperspirant/deodorant combos like Right Guard and Speedstick (the clear-gel kinds).

Any ideas? Should I keep cologne at my desk for late in the day? Is there a stronger deodorant out there?

Shirt / antiperspirant détente!

Captain Rayford Steele, Tribulation Force — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 10:36:43 -0800

Quotidian-question-filter: I seek a high-quality antiperspirant that won't stain clothing. Right now I use Gillette gel, which works fine as a deodorant/antiperspirant but also performs all too well as an under-arm shirt bleach. Needless to say, permanent white staining in and around the armpit region is both unattractive and unsettling.

There must exist an antiperspirant (preferably gel, but I'll consider all options) carefully engineered to coexist peacefully with clothing. Know of one? I'm male, if it matters.

Has anyone had any success with removing sweat / antiperspirant combo stains?

GleepGlop — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 15:21:14 -0800

Has anyone had any success with removing sweat / antiperspirant combo stains? On my black undershirts the armpits are kind of caked on with white and on the white undershirts the armpits are stained yellowish. There seem to be 'recipies' out there to remove armpit stains but I was curious if anyone has found success. I use Mitchum clear gel antiperspirant if that makes any difference.

Deodorant melted into car seat, please help.

apathy0o0 — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 14:42:45 -0800

I left a stick of speed stick deodorant on the seat of my car's seat, and the heat of the sun melted it into the seat's fabric. How should I get it out? It's melted into a lump that's stuck in the seat, and I can kind of scrape some of it off, but not all of it. My car also smells great.

Does shaving/trimming your armpits increase or reduce armpit sweat/stains?

sub-culture — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 06:38:11 -0800

I tend to sweat a lot on hot days and occasionally this ends up ruining nice shirts with pit stains. I've read plenty of threads about deodorants and anti-perspirants that could be helpful, but maybe I should address my long armpit hair. I can see both sides: More hair means more surface area for deodorant and keeps sweat from running (I think). Less hair means less surface area for sweat to stick onto but gets the deodorant closer to the pores. What's the way to go? I'm not considering shaving my pits, but more or less trimming them down short.

Non-morally objectionable deodorant that works like Axe

arcticwoman — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 09:26:51 -0800

My partner claims that Axe is the only deodorant that doesn't go rancid on her within a couple hours, but I have serious objections to supporting that offensive and misogynistic company. I need suggestions for deodorants that will make my partner feel clean and nice-smelling and yet not set off my moral objection sensor. She does not like gel deodorants or the salt crystal hippie sticks. Any deodorant other than Axe goes rancid on her within a couple of hours (I have never noticed it, but I don't spend as much time near her armpits as she does). I'm not sure what it is about Axe that makes it work better/longer, but whatever is unique about it is what my partner likes. Are there other deodorants with similar compositions but from other companies?

how do i keep my workout pants from getting so stinky?

nevers — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 10:25:50 -0800

What can I do to keep my workout pants from getting so stinky so fast? I train for 3 hours a day, several days a week, with a bunch of other hard-working, sweaty women. Underarm deodorant keeps my tank tops from smelling at all, but my pants -- ugh. There must be some way to avoid having to wash them constantly. More data and ideas:

--I don't have a problem with everyday pants, and I don't have any itchiness or other issues, so I think I'm normal and healthy.
--Underarm deodorant is so effective; is there any kind of "feminine" deodorant that's unscented and not messy and not bad for your body?
--Spraying the enzyme-based Nature's Miracle on my pants works pretty well on cotton pants, but does nothing at all on the synthethic ones (which are the ones that are supposed to be all fancy and wicking and great for working out).
--After a washing the pants are fine. It's not that I can't de-stinkify them, but that I'd love it if I could wear them more than once between washings. Or, at least, if I could wear the same pants for both morning and evening training on days with that kind of schedule.

Deodorant goo removal?

sentient — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 19:24:57 -0800

What will dissolve deodorant/antiperspirant goo? My shirts all have white deodorant goo on the armpits once I'm done wearing them for the day. (This happens with any kind of stick deodorant -- even the ones that are supposed to 'go on clear' or whatever.) When I put the shirts in the laundry, the goo leaves the armpits of the shirts, but much seems to remain in the wash-water. It forms this filmy layer on the surface of the rinse water and it ends up on all the laundry. If I re-wash, more goes away, but never completely.

I've also noticed that if I get some deodorant on my hand while applying it (no idea how), soap and hot water don't seem to completely remove it. So I'm guessing the same thing happens in the laundry. I've tried oxyclean, but this doesn't seem to have much of an effect.

Is there a product that will dissolve the deodorant/antiperspirant so it will actually rinse away in the wash? Has anyone else solved (or even had) this problem? (btw, I know that switching to gel or liquid or certain-dri-type deodorant would work :) (Oh -- to clarify, I intend the term deodorant to be synonymous with deodorant/antiperspirant)

Olfactorily Offense Officemate!

unmodern — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 07:35:12 -0800

The guy over my cube wall is over dosing his body on some bad deodorant and it's whiggin' me out all day long. Any suggestions on how to breathe normally again short of using respirators and other obnoxiously strong smells?

Metal deodorant bars for garlic/onion?

anonymoose — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 21:50:32 -0800

Do those metal deodorant bars made to remove the scent of garlic or onion from your hands really work? If so, how? If not, what does?

How to get that irresistable scent

GleepGlop — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 18:41:06 -0800

Girls: How do you like a guy to smell? What products should I use? Im asking this because I was thinking of looking into that body spray stuff because I think it may be more deodoranty than cologne and therefore better for everyday use because now that summers' started I may break into the odd sweat throughout the day and I dont intend to take a shower everytime that happens, but I also dont want to smell like sweat and I think I need something more than just deodorant...
Its happened to everyone: someone smells irresistable and you in turn find them irresistable based on nothing other than how they smell: so, what do you think they were using? Also ancient natural remedies welcome!

Finding European deodorant?

Hot Like Your 12V Wire — Tue, 13 Dec 2005 11:11:39 -0800

My SO picked up a few sticks of Axe roll-on deodorant while in Europe this summer. I figured they'd make good stocking stuffers this Christmas, but can't seem to find a place that will ship to America. Any ideas?

What is the best deodorant/antiperspirant for sensitive skin?

radioamy — Fri, 29 Apr 2005 10:24:16 -0800

What is the best deodorant/antiperspirant for sensitive skin? I've been using Dove for quite some time, but I'm finding that it doesn't work as well as I'd like in the hot Louisiana summers. I used to use Almay but I can't find it here. I want something that will keep me from smelling and won't leave a residue. As I have sensitive skin, I need something that won't make me itch (unscented too).

I Can't Find My Favorite Deodorant

pinkkitty — Thu, 31 Mar 2005 06:39:07 -0800

My favorite deodorant is Borotalco Deodorante, which is sold in Italy. I can't find it in the States and I can't seem to find it for sale on the internet either. I'm down to the bottom of my last can. Does anyone know where I can buy Borotalco?

Deodorant that will not leave marks?

tristeza — Fri, 21 Jan 2005 11:53:37 -0800

Deodorant/anti-perspirant stick (solid) that TRULY does not leave white marks on my clothes? I’m looking for a US brand of solid/stick deodorant/anti-perspirant that really, honestly doesn’t leave white marks on clothing. Gels are out, sprays suck and roll ons are gross. I use the Degree “invisible solid” but they lie – my clothes are covered with white crud. Bonus points for one that doesn’t smell like men’s cologne.