Using anti-perspirant or deodorant for the first time is a big step for children and teenagers.

Whether you’re a parent looking to buy deodorant or anti-perspirant for your child, or if you’re a young person who’s ready to choose for yourself, we give you all the information you need to help choose and safely apply the best products to prevent sweat and/or body odour.

On this page you will find out more about:

• Advice for parents
  • What’s the best age to start using deodorant or anti-perspirant?
    • Is there an age restriction on deodorant or antiperspirant?
    • Deodorant and anti-perspirant—suitability by age group
  • Is deodorant or anti-perspirant best for children?
  • How often should young people use deodorant or anti-perspirant?
  • What should children who are using deodorant or anti-perspirant for the first time look for?
• Advice for young people
  • Are anti-perspirant and deodorant suitable for people my age?
  • Is deodorant safe for me to use?
  • 4 tips for keeping body odour at bay

Advice for parents

What’s the best age to start using deodorant or anti-perspirant?

Is there an age restriction on deodorant or anti-perspirant?

There is no official age restriction on when young people can wear deodorant.

Deodorant and anti-perspirant—suitability by age group

Age	Product	What to look for	Product choice
Pre-teens	Deodorant or aluminium-free anti-perspirant	Alcohol-free Aluminium-free Masks smells Gentle on skin Lasts up to 24 hours	Any of the deodorants in our 0% aluminium range are ideal for young skin.
Teenagers	Anti-perspirant or deodorant	Alcohol-free Reduces sweat Lasts up to 48 hours	Our Classic range of anti-perspirants is kind to skin and guards against sweat for up to 48 hours.

Is deodorant or anti-perspirant best for children?

Deodorant works by masking body odour rather than restricting sweat. This is ideal for girls especially, as they tend to be more conscious of odour and perspire less. Data from a Soft & Gentle survey revealed that 55% of girls choose a particular product because they love the smell. So if your child is keen to try deodorant, let them choose one with a great smelling fragrance they’ll love to wear!

Anti-perspirants work by blocking sweat glands, which causes the body to sweat less. They’re a good choice for older teenagers (particularly boys, who naturally sweat more than girls) or very active children.

Anti-perspirants are more effective at helping children feel dryer for longer and have the added benefit of reducing unpleasant body odour too.

What should children who are using deodorant or anti-perspirant for the first time look for?

• Roll-on—this is better for pre-teens and younger teens as it’s easier to apply and can be applied to the exact area.
• Spray—older teens might prefer a spray deodorant or anti-perspirant for convenience, as they’re quick-drying and easy to reapply. In a survey by Soft & Gentle, 58% of young people said they apply a spritz of product before leaving the house to give them a confidence boost. Spray products can make young people feel more grown-up and in control of their morning routine.
• Natural ingredients—choose a product with ingredients that are kinder to skin.
• Suitable for sensitive skin—even if your child doesn’t have sensitive skin, the skin under their arms won’t be used to having products on it, so choose a gentle formula designed to care for sensitive skin.
• A fantastic fragrance—in a survey by Soft & Gentle, the scent of deodorant or anti-perspirant was the main reason young people would choose a particular brand. 70% of boys and 61% of girls surveyed said they would choose an anti-perspirant or deodorant because they like how it smells. Choosing a great-smelling product that’s also formulated for sensitive skin will mean your child can feel confident, without worrying about skin irritation.
• Aluminium-free and alcohol-free—alcohol is a common ingredient in many anti-perspirants and deodorants but it can irritate skin. Many people prefer to choose aluminium-free anti-perspirants and instead use products with plant-based ingredients.

If you feel your child is ready to try deodorant or anti-perspirant, you can see which retailers stock Soft & Gentle products here.

Advice for young people

Are anti-perspirants and deodorants suitable for people my age?

If you’re worried about how much you sweat, or about your body odour, it’s always a good idea to speak to your parents and get advice from a doctor.

Is deodorant safe for me to use?

Yes, provided you choose the right product and apply it properly. As you’ll be using deodorant for the first time, you won’t know how it will affect your skin.

The best way to avoid irritating your skin is to:

• choose a deodorant that’s gentle on skin—look for a product that’s 0% aluminium, 0% alcohol and has been specially formulated for sensitive skin
• do a patch test—apply a little of the product to the back of your hand or behind your ear and give it 48 hours to see if you have a reaction. If you’re allergic to any of the ingredients, your skin may go red, bumpy or start to itch. If you have sensitive skin, it’s really important to do this test
• use a roll-on—roll-on deodorants are easy to apply you can put on a small amount of product in a very specific area. Spray products can be more difficult to apply
• get supervision—when you’re applying your deodorant, ask a parent to keep an eye on you to make sure you’re doing it correctly and safely

4 tips for keeping body odour at bay

As well as wearing deodorant or anti-perspirant for the first time, there are other things you can do to prevent body odour and excess sweat:

If you’re worried about how much you’re sweating, you can always talk to your parents or even your doctor for reassurance.

If you feel you’re ready to try deodorant or anti-perspirant, you can see which retailers stock Soft & Gentle products here.