Pharmacist Álvaro Fernández on deodorant: "Right after showering is not the best time."

Showering and applying deodorant are part of many people's daily routines in Spain to avoid the unpleasant odor that can develop when sweating, especially on hot days or when they're going to be indoors. No one likes to smell unpleasant, and whenever possible, we try to avoid it, although we don't always succeed.

This can be for a variety of reasons. For example, sometimes we sweat more than expected and find ourselves missing the clean feeling we had when we first stepped out of the shower. Other times, it could be because we applied deodorant at the wrong time —because applying it after showering isn't the best idea. Have we been doing it wrong all our lives? Probably.

The best time to put on deodorant

Applying deodorant is a simple routine that we all do regularly, but that doesn't mean we're doing it right. This is precisely what pharmacist Álvaro Fernández pointed out on his TikTok account, where he shares tips and advice, some practical, like this one, and others directly related to his profession, but all relevant to people's health and well-being.

In this new post, she wanted to point out how many people have probably been applying deodorant incorrectly for a long time: "Most of us put it on right after showering, when our skin is wet, thinking it's the right thing to do. According to the manufacturers of deodorants and antiperspirants, that's not the best time."

"Antiperspirants are much less effective if you put them on while wet , and deodorants are best absorbed when sweat glands are less active and there's less sweat. So, according to manufacturers, if you want maximum effectiveness, the perfect time to put it on is right before going to bed."

This is not the only mistake that is made by not doing things as recommended by the manufacturer, there are products that last 48 and even 72 hours, so it is not necessary to apply them daily , nor is it a good idea to apply the deodorant without removing any possible remains from the previous application.

Differences between deodorant and antiperspirant

Deodorant and antiperspirant are not the same , although we sometimes use them interchangeably. They are different products used to achieve different results, which doesn't mean they don't have certain things in common. For example, both reduce body odor, although while antiperspirant does so by preventing sweating, deodorant does so by eliminating the bacteria that cause it . On the other hand, deodorant only protects you from unpleasant odors, while antiperspirant helps prevent sweating.

Thus, depending on what you want to achieve, you should use one or the other . If you're looking to avoid odor, but don't sweat excessively and aren't planning on doing activities that cause sweating, you can use deodorant, which provides lighter protection. Antiperspirant is more suitable for those who need stronger protection, either because they engage in more intense activities or because they want to avoid feeling damp underarms.

Antiperspirants prevent perspiration by temporarily blocking sweat pores . Their compounds dissolve in the moisture in the armpits, temporarily hindering the release of sweat. This lasts for a limited time, and they need to be reapplied after a certain period of time, either to the armpits, which is most common, or to other parts of the body.

References

Antiperspirants and Breast Cancer . (n.d.). Cancer.gov. https://www.cancer.gov/espanol/cancer/causas-prevencion/riesgo/mitos/hoja-informativa-antitranspirantes