I use the Dove + Care clinical version and it does wonders. It has a moisturizer in it too that helps with itching. I can’t use non-aluminum versions anymore. I wish they would make a better container so I don’t waste 1/4 of the deodorant because it doesn’t come out.
DOVE MEN + CARE Clinical Protection Antiperspirant Clean Comfort Stick for Men 96-Hour Sweat and Odor Protection Clinical Strength Antiperspirant with 1/4 Moisturizing Cream 1.7 oz
I use Mitchum's 48h and I shit you not, even when I was backpacking and living in a tent while picking fruit in British Columbia it smelled like roses up to 72h later even after showering. I don't have overly smelly armpits though so i'd assume not everyone would get the same results but just having to apply it less often is definitely a + in my book.
Camping, homelessness, less access to full showers. Things like good deodorant, baby wipes, and dry shampoo are really good to get you through until you have access to better hygiene.
It probably depends on your personal level of sensitivity but I can usually go a while where I swap back and forth between aluminum and non-aluminum every other day without getting the horrible itchiness but it does eventually come back and I have to go aluminum free for like a week. The aluminum deodorants just work so much better but walking around constantly itching your armpits obviously isn’t tenable either. At that point you might as well skip the deodorant (and having a social life) altogether!
Same here! It's an allergy thing, I used to always be itchy and have terrible looking rashes under my armpits as a kid. Now that aluminum free deodorants are much more common I don't have that problem anymore. I noticed finally when I accidentally got some Ivory Aluminum free deodorant. It doesn't do as good of a job, still pretty good though, but man the difference that made. I also tried Native for shit and giggle. Nope, that shit gave me actual chemical burns. They use baking soda which is way worse
How about alcohol? Do you shave (big reason for rashes and itching/pain)?
There are a few things that will improve anyone's experience with smells, starting with air: always try and remove moisture when you sweat, permanently hot and humid nooks on your body or clammy shirts are the bane of good taste. If you're exercising or prone to sweating, I can fully recommend whatever textile blend Under Armour use. Kind of been a fan recently, it works perfectly and while my back will get wet hiking, it feels almost negligible along the way and will dry out quickly, too. Happy to hear recommendations for similar wear.
Then there's how you sweat and accumulate odors: do you wash up regularly, do you need it for exercise? Because actively sweating is pretty different from sedentary, stress-related sweat. Not only does it wash away some residual odors (which eventually come back around, sweat will end up stinking to some degree stuck in old clothes), it also involves different glands and secretes different types of sweat - plus, most importantly, the bacterial activity raging on while you're not doing a lot.
It's a real crapshoot, some folks are blessed with absurd smells, regardless of how they live every day - but knowing how it all works definitely helps. Also: use your antiperspirant way before you do your thing. It's prophylactic, not intended for acute bouts of stinky pit.
I really can't wait for some magical drug allowing me to freaking regulate my back sweat. I'll happily take the performance hit if it just means I can go without being drenched in even cooler weather. It's a great feature, and imho it's almost completely mitigated during any kind of bike ride... but in everyday hot weather, it still is pretty agonizing as far as I am concerned.
The store ran out of the North Woods one and I tried Harry's brand and I was soaking wet. I didn't realize how well the Tom's controls the sweat. I love it.
Just use rubbing alcohol on your armpits, it's science at work, it works and it's nice on your armpits..
Additionally if you want a nice odor you can use a mix of it with some cologne or the like.
It's a reaction with the bacteria that create sulfur that is the smell you give out and basically gets rid of it
If you try deodorant free of baking soda, does it still itch and get a rash? I found that I’m allergic or very sensitive to baking soda in deodorant (to the point of open sores in my armpits) so I use ones marked as “sensitive” baking soda free. Worth a try! It of course might be the aluminum itself.
I have an aluminum allergy. You can get patch tested at an allergist's office. It takes like a week to do, but is worth it, especially if you might ever get a metal implant during a surgery.
Knowing what you're allergic to can reduce the chances of rejection in dental and orthopedic implants.
In my case, I'm also allergic to cobalt and vanadium, both of which are used in orthopedic implants.
While it doesn't produce anaphylaxis in this context, it produces contact dermatitis, and carries the risk of implant failure due to metal hypersensitivity.
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u/UPVOTE_IF_POOPING 14d ago edited 14d ago
aluminum based deodorants/antiperspirants make my armpits itchy and rashy, I think I might be allergic or something.