When it comes to smelling fresh and keeping odour at bay, there are ways you can make sure you’re getting the most out of your deodorant or anti-perspirant.

So, we’ve put together your one-stop-shop guide on:

  • When to apply your deodorant or anti-perspirant
  • How best to use your spray deodorant or anti-perspirant
  • How best to use your roll-on deodorant or anti-perspirant

We’ve also collated the most popular questions we’re asked in our FAQ section at the bottom of this page.

When to apply your deodorant or anti-perspirant

Anti-perspirant

Apply anti-perspirant in the morning or — for those of you who may be experiencing excessive sweat — at night time.

Yep, that’s right — night time can sometimes be the preferred time to apply, especially if you are experiencing heavy sweating.

It may be part of your morning routine right now, but if you apply your anti-perspirant before you climb into bed, the active ingredients have time to properly absorb into your skin properly, blocking your sweat glands more effectively. So, you can stay dry for longer and have one less thing to remember when you’re getting ready in those hectic mornings!

Saying that, most of us will apply anti-perspirant in the morning — and this will be enough to keep us feeling fresh and dry all day long.

Make sure you apply your anti-perspirant to clean, dry skin. Especially if you’ve just taken your lovely and energising morning shower — make sure the anti-perspirant has dried fully before you put your clothes on.

To find out more about how anti-perspirants work, let us fill you in here.

For a long-standing anti-perspirant that’s kind to your skin, try Soft & Gentle’s Classic Range, for up to 48 hours of fresh protection.

Deodorant

When it comes to deodorants, the best time to apply is after a shower or bath, when your skin is clean and dry. It’s worth remembering that if your deodorant doesn’t contain anti-perspirant, you might need to re-apply it every few hours to ensure you feel refreshed.

Our Soft & Gentle 0% Aluminium Dry Deodorant Range features fresh and light fragrances to help protect against odour and care for sensitive skin.

How to use your spray deodorant or anti-perspirant

It’s as easy as one, two, three! Follow these three simple steps when applying your deodorant or anti-perspirant:

  1. Clean and dry your armpits thoroughly
  2. Shake your can and hold it about 15 cm away from your armpit
  3. Spray for 2–3 seconds under each arm, coating the entire area with product

How to use your roll-on deodorant or anti-perspirant

  1. Clean and dry your armpits thoroughly
  2. Roll on the deodorant or anti-perspirant so it evenly covers both armpits
  3. Wait until the deodorant or anti-perspirant is fully dry before getting dressed

P.S.: If you’re wondering how many swipes of the deodorant you need, it’s roughly 2–3 swipes for each armpit. That’s enough to cover the full area without overdoing it!

FAQ: Answering your most popular questions

Still unsure about something? Here are our answers to your most frequent questions around anti-perspirant and deodorants.

How much anti-perspirant is too much?

If you notice white marks on your clothes — either when you’re wearing them or when you take them off — you may have put on too much deodorant or anti-perspirant as it means your skin hasn’t completely absorbed the product.

Can you use anti-perspirant and deodorant together?

Technically yes, although there isn’t always a need to. When used properly, either product will keep you feeling dry and smelling fresh all day.

In fact, many products combine the ingredients of deodorant and anti-perspirant to give you the benefits of both. So if you’re looking for the best of both worlds, buy an anti-perspirant deodorant, like the products in our Classic range.

If you find you sweat excessively, you may want to use an anti-perspirant (which might be fragrance-free) to tackle the sweat and then a deodorant to help prevent any unwanted smells. You can apply anti-perspirant after showering at night and then apply deodorant to freshen up in the morning.

Some people choose to only use deodorant as most deodorants don’t contain aluminium. But those products won’t protect you against sweat…only odour.

However, Soft & Gentle’s 0% Aluminium anti-perspirant roll-on range is a more natural alternative to using “standard” anti-perspirant as it’s formulated with natural plant extracts to protect you from sweat and help care for your skin.

Does deodorant or anti-perspirant expire?

Yes…and no.

Yes, because just like skincare creams, deodorants and anti-perspirants that contain water (such as those that come as roll-ons or creams) will have a shelf life date which is usually 12 months from the day of first use.

However, be aware that this may vary depending on the product or the brand…but if you’re using yours regularly, you’ll no doubt be getting through it way before then anyway!

And no, because expiry dates don’t apply to spray deodorants and anti-perspirants.

Can you spray deodorant onto clothes?

Technically you can, but there’s not much point in it. You need to spray deodorant or anti-perspirant directly onto your skin for it to work properly, as:

  • deodorant works by minimising the bacteria that can cause body odour
  • anti-perspirant works by reducing the amount of sweat you produce

If either product isn’t in direct content with your skin, it won’t be able to do this.

How do you avoid stains after using deodorant or anti-perspirant?

  • First, choose a product that’s designed to leave no white marks, such as Soft & Gentle’s Classic Range.
  • Apply to completely dry skin.
  • Don’t apply too much product—just a couple of swipes of roll-on or a 2–3 second spray with a spray can is enough.
  • Wait until the deodorant or anti-perspirant has dried completely before getting dressed.
  • If you find your clothes have white marks or stains on them when you take them off, this can be a sign that you’ve used too much deodorant or anti-perspirant. However, it also depends on how the product has been formulated and its benefits…so always check that anti-white marks is clearly stated on the pack!

Are you now ready to experience all-day freshness? You can find out which retailers stock the Soft & Gentle Classic Range and the 0% Aluminium Range here.

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