Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.
Close Banner
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.

How Often Can You Reapply Deodorant? Derms Weigh In On The Sweaty Situation

Jamie Schneider
Author:
July 13, 2022
Jamie Schneider
Former Senior Beauty & Lifestyle Editor
By Jamie Schneider
Former Senior Beauty & Lifestyle Editor
Jamie Schneider is the former Senior Beauty Editor at mindbodygreen. She has a B.A. in Organizational Studies and English from the University of Michigan, and her work has appeared in Coveteur, The Chill Times, and Wyld Skincare.
July 13, 2022

'Tis the season of stepping outside and immediately feeling drenched in sweat. It's hot out there, y'all, and if the rising humidity has you reapplying your deodorant (again, and again, and...), you're definitely not alone. Even if the deo doesn't exactly stop the sweat (non-antiperspirants won't, FYI), your damp pits can at least smell nice, no?

Although, swiping on with abandon may raise some questions: Is it OK to reapply multiple times per day? Is there such a thing as too much deodorant? How can you make sure your deodorant, uh, works? We asked derms for their summertime advice. 

When should you apply deodorant? 

Short answer? The exact timing doesn’t really matter. It may be best to apply your deodorant before you notice a funky smell (i.e., first thing in the morning or after rinsing), so the product can control the odor before it arises. But the timing itself doesn’t necessarily make a difference.  

Now, many people believe you should apply deodorant at night when you’re less sweaty, so the formula can penetrate the pores better. This is true for antiperspirants—the sweat glands are less active at night, so the formula can better seep into your skin and stop odor-causing sweat. 

But deodorants don’t necessarily stop you from sweating; their main gig is to neutralize odor (hence the term, deodorant), so it doesn’t matter what time of day you apply. Feel free to swipe on whenever you’d like, just make sure your pits aren’t wet while you apply. Many deodorants also do their best work on clean, dry skin—particularly if the formula works by limiting bacterial growth in the area. 

We have a full guide to antiperspirants versus deodorants here, if you’d like to learn more about how to apply both. 

How often can you reapply?

You can apply as often as you like—assuming the formula doesn't irritate your skin. 

To be clear: You can face irritation from both traditional and natural deodorant options; although, traditional sticks may include more alcohols and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, which are common irritants. "While any ingredient can irritate the skin, the fewer ingredients someone is exposed to, the less risk there is of an allergic reaction," board-certified dermatologist Lisa Airan, M.D., once told mbg. "Traditional deodorants contain more ingredients, which puts the patient at increased risk for skin irritation." 

Even if you discover a natural deodorant you adore, though, a couple of ingredients can still aggravate sensitive armpits: First, "Many natural deodorants rely on baking soda to absorb moisture and neutralize odor, but too much baking soda can cause skin irritation in some people," notes board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, M.D., (baking soda has a basic pH, while your armpits are more acidic; combining them together can cause a reaction). 

Acid-based formulas (like glycolic-acid-based solutions) are common culprits as well: These effectively lower your skin's pH and make it too acidic for odor-causing bacteria to thrive1, but some people may find AHAs way too harsh for their liking, especially when relying on multiple swipes throughout the day. 

That being said, you can go ahead and reapply your deo to your heart's content—just make sure to limit the frequency (or swap to a gentler product) if you notice any skin irritation. In terms of gentle yet effective ingredients to seek out, most people can tolerate starches and powders, like arrowroot or rice starch, as these absorb moisture without aggravating sensitive skin. Botanical extracts, like ​​garcinia mangostana peel extract and magnolia bark extract, also have strong antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, which can be beneficial at balancing the microbiome in favor of good bacteria. 

How to reapply correctly. 

As a general rule, apply your deodorant to clean, dry skin—which we admit is a touch more difficult when you're sweating up a storm, but it's worth taking the time to pat your pits dry before reapplying. Especially if you use an antiperspirant: "Otherwise sweat will dilute the antiperspirant, and it will fail due to insufficient concentration," says King.

Alas, an exception: If you use crystal deodorant (which contains mineral salts like potassium alum that have antimicrobial properties), you want to apply them on clean, slightly damp skin. "Ideally right after a bath or shower," says King. Or if you're reapplying on the go, she recommends wetting the top of the crystal before swiping. That way, the crystal will impart a film on your skin when you apply. 

The takeaway. 

Ultimately, you can apply deodorant as much as you like (swipe on!), so long as you don't face any irritation from the formula—which can happen with both traditional and natural picks. As always, do what's right for your skin: If your skin can't handle too much, perhaps limit the frequency—damp pits be damned. 

Watch Next

Enjoy some of our favorite clips from classes

Watch Next

Enjoy some of our favorite clips from classes

What Is Meditation?

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Light Watkins

Box Breathing

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Gwen Dittmar

What Breathwork Can Address

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Gwen Dittmar

The 8 Limbs of Yoga - What is Asana?

Yoga | Caley Alyssa

Two Standing Postures to Open Up Tight Hips

Yoga | Caley Alyssa

How Plants Can Optimize Athletic Performance

Nutrition | Rich Roll

What to Eat Before a Workout

Nutrition | Rich Roll

How Ayurveda Helps Us Navigate Modern Life

Nutrition | Sahara Rose

Messages About Love & Relationships

Love & Relationships | Esther Perel

Love Languages

Love & Relationships | Esther Perel

Related Videos (10)

What Is Meditation?

Box Breathing

What Breathwork Can Address

The 8 Limbs of Yoga - What is Asana?

Two Standing Postures to Open Up Tight Hips

How Plants Can Optimize Athletic Performance

What to Eat Before a Workout

How Ayurveda Helps Us Navigate Modern Life

Messages About Love & Relationships

Love Languages

Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.

More On This Topic

more Lifestyle
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.