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Original poster

Deodorant - how do you use yours?!

84 replies

ClearlyMoo · 04/10/2014 11:32

I've just realised that I might be applying deodorant in an odd way - I've been doing this for over two decades and I'm wondering if it's actually counter productive!

You're probably all wondering what I'm on about!

So I use ROLL ON and AEROSOL deodorant. Belt and braces is what I've always thought.

This started as a young teen paranoid about "BO"!

I put the roll on on, and then before it's dry spray aerosol deodorant in the same place!

Do you think the aerosol is doing anything?

I know it sounds REALLY odd and I feel like a right plonker now I've thought about it..

What should I do?!

Is one of aerosol or roll on more efficient

Have I been spending double the money I needed to all these years?!

I wonder if when I started doing it I used the "stick" type of roll on which doesn't need to dry or flapped my arms around a bit to let roll on dry.

My DH is very anti aerosols so I suppose really I should just use roll on if it were to be one or the other.. He doesn't like me "polluting the air" with sprays.

Since having DD I also now use a strong 24hr cream anti perspirant at night before going to bed but still use my "normal" deos in the morning. So actually that's three different types.

Really interested to know what everyone else does.

sits back and waits for MN to inform (and hopefully not flame!)!

OP posts:
mausmaus · 04/10/2014 11:39

I'm with your dh on this one.
aerols make the whole bathroom smell for ages.
they are also really really bad for your lungs.

I think roll on is the most effective.

IndeliKate · 04/10/2014 11:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mymummademelistentoshitmusic · 04/10/2014 11:53

Instead of using a 24 hr one at night, why not shower in the morning? I know there's countless threads about this, but if as you say you're paranoid about BO why wouldn't you just do that? Confused

Original poster
ClearlyMoo · 04/10/2014 11:58

Mymummy sorry yes that may sound confusing - I do shower in the morning... I always have. I use the 24 hr one at night as the instructions say to apply it at night, as it will work better (something to do with body temperature at night)..?!

OP posts:
Catsmamma · 04/10/2014 11:59

i'd recommend any of the stick ones...I hate roll ons...all icky sticky moist and claggy

mausmaus · 04/10/2014 12:04

see, I find the sticks well sticky.
if you wait until the roll on is dry it's not sticky at all. but it takes a good ten mins or so to dry completely.

IndeliKate · 04/10/2014 12:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mymummademelistentoshitmusic · 04/10/2014 12:09

Ah. I get you. This sounds like its taking over your peace of mind - have you thought of counselling?
I just use a decent unperfumed roll on, or Mitchum when I'm menstruating or it's hot in summer. If you put it on then do hair/makeup, it'll be dry once you're ready to dress.

mymummademelistentoshitmusic · 04/10/2014 12:10

Agree with your dh, I also have also hated the aerosols since I started using deodorant. DP uses his in the big bathroom, it's banned from ours.

itsbetterthanabox · 04/10/2014 12:13

Which deodorant says to use it at night? Do you use it again after your morning shower?

SofaCanary · 04/10/2014 13:01

Men's Nivea roll on is the only thing that works on me for reasons I cannot begin to fathom.

Spray and roll on is a bit overkill though OP, you can't possibly be that smelly! I'd be a little concerned about all those chemicals.

ninawish · 04/10/2014 13:12

I stopped wearing deodorant 12 years ago after things I read about it and I just wanted to know what happened when I didn't wear it

sorry if it's tmi but I was surprised to get quite yellow stains on white shirts but not really feeling sweaty as such - it just made me think oh my gosh where was all that crap toxins going before? back inside my body?

SoI haven't used any anti perspirant ever since then unless on the rare occasion I know I'll be out for hours and hours in heat

I shower twice a day and let soap activate under arms to get a thorough wash plus I'm vigilant about no underarm hair and about to get it lasered. I could not wear a top twice and wear cotton tees under most things

Really BO has never been a problem even in summer (I also keep wipes in bag just in case more for peace if mind )

anyway point is I think you would be fine to go down to one deodorant and not at all at night - if you stopped using it completely now it takes a couple of days to get out of your system anyway so the daytime stuff will last overnight

I think we think we smell too (over the years I've tested this all diff ways and I do not smell!) when actually no one else can smell you unless their nostril is in your armpit Wink

cerealqueen · 04/10/2014 13:15

There is a school of thought that deodrant is more effective applied at night, as it has time to work.

I use Mithum roll on every other day. Sometimes I'll just shower and go without, to give my pits a rest.

You don't need the aerosol, ditch it.

BecauseIsaidS0 · 04/10/2014 14:38

I use Soapwalla's cream deodorant. I normally buy it in NY but I think it's stocked now in the UK as well. It smells great and doesn't have nasty chemicals.

missmakesstuff · 04/10/2014 14:52

because where in NY do you get that deodorant? I'm asking because I have a real problem with sweating and although I use driclor etc at night to stop it, plus harried a ton of different 48 hrs deos nothing seems to help.
Op you sound a bit like me, I am always conscious of being smelly, I shower every day and use deodorant every morning and during the day but still never feel happy. I'm a teacher though and very conscious of smells, plus pregnancy makes it worse, a strong sense of smell doesn't help much!

missmakesstuff · 04/10/2014 14:53

Sorry, because meant to say do you think anywhere near Macy's or 5th avenue might have it, I'm off on a School trip there soon!

Kundry · 04/10/2014 14:57

3 deodorants in day does sound a bit obsessive!

I use Mitchum unscented stick once a day. Shower every other day. I don't have BO.

Most people who think they are smelly aren't - they may be able to smell themselves but other people can't smell them.

Botanicbaby · 04/10/2014 14:58

I think it's become an obsession for you. Not only would I give the aerosol a miss (hate them), I wouldn't put deodorant on before bed.

If you regularly shower or wash with soap, wear clean clothes then you have nothing to worry about. I can recommend Mitchum unperfumed roll on although if you're used to a 'deodorant' strong smell you may find it takes time getting used to. I alternate between that and Sure clean cotton I think it's called. Both dry quickly tho I prefer the larger applicator on the Mitcham. Vaseline cream push up deo is effective too.

I don't like stick deo as much as find it a pain to apply but entirely personal preference I'm sure.

mabelbabel · 04/10/2014 15:00

If you use one of those cream ones at night then drop both the roll on and the spray in the morning. All will be fine, and o bet you don't notice any difference.

Original poster
ClearlyMoo · 04/10/2014 17:52

Interested in the comments that suggest I have OCD/ need counselling etc!

Honestly is NOT a psychological issue. There are days when I only use one or the other and I definitely don't stress about it! Some days I don't wear any (usually accidental). I just got into the habit of using two at once. Today I thought "this is a bit odd, why am I doing this?" and it seems MN agrees!!

The nighttime one got added in when I was post partum and sweating like a very sweaty pig! I was sick of wet sweaty circles under arms so bought this "sure max protection" one that gets used at night... Then after my morning shower just kept going with my normal double effect.

No one has commented on whether the two together are in effective... I think they are...

I bulk buy in advance so might just keep the sprays for gym bag for post swimming or for when I feel the need to freshen up later in the day.

OP posts:
PinkSparklyElephant · 04/10/2014 18:04

I use Nivea 48 hour stress protect deodorant after I've had a shower either morning or evening. I hate roll ons as I get sticky pits and stick deodorants never seem to do the job.

To me using 2 seems a bit OTT and I would have thought that one on its own would be fine.

JavaSparrow · 04/10/2014 18:06

Actually, going against the grain here, I do something similar in summer months. Noticed I was a little less fragrant than I would like in July, so used shower gel in morning shower, with a second armpit wash with dove soap. Then mitcham once dry. Before getting dressed and leaving the house, quick spray with nivea cotton spray deodorant.

I don't do this anymore as it's not so hot and I'm smelling fine, but the confidence it gave me for a week or two in the heat was great. Now just shower gel and mitcham, but still have soap and spray should I need it (I'm thinking Christmas do's and interviews).

itsbetterthanabox · 04/10/2014 18:10

If I had an evening shower I'd put on deodorant after that and then in the morning if I was just getting dressed and going I would put on more. Would most people not?

BecauseIsaidS0 · 04/10/2014 18:30

miss, I order it online and have it delivered to my hotel Blush. Also, it's not an antiperspirant - it will deal with the smell, but you will still sweat. I've just accepted that I'm a sweaty person and dress accordingly, but try to not smell badly.

TooMuchCantBreath · 04/10/2014 18:35

I shower in the morning and use mitchum roll on after then use a spray on my torso and back. I cycle to work and find I sweat there but obviously can't use a roll on. If anyone has any suggestions for that I'd happily listen, I hate the spray!

Op, I would ditch the nighttime one and see how you get on without it ,chances are you don't need it. I'd be pretty sure the spray isn't doing much if it's going in the same place as roll on tbh.