Why Your Deodorant Doesn’t Last All Day Anymore (2024)

It’s frustrating when your deodorant doesn’t last all day. Remember when you used to have a “one and done” outlook in regards to applying your traditional deodorant? But now it feels like you can’t leave the house without a backup in your purse, ready to reapply every couple of hours.

It stinks to have to worry about reapplying (pun intended). And there’s a reason why what used to last 8 hours now hardly lasts 45 minutes.

Reasons Your Deodorant Doesn’t Last All Day

Your body builds up immunity

Not to deodorant itself, but to the chemicals present in traditional deodorants. Most deodorants use ingredients like aluminum to stop sweat, or alcohol to mask B.O.

Over time, your body builds up a tolerance to these chemicals, so the more you use these types of deodorants, the more you have to reapply. A little counterproductive in our opinion.

And, what else? These harsh chemicals actually contribute to why your sweat stinks.

Why Your Deodorant Doesn’t Last All Day Anymore (1)

You’re applying to a wet arm pit

When your skin is wet, it doesn’t absorb products as easily (including your deodorant). So, if your applying deodorant fresh out of the shower, the formula may not necessarily stick.

Not to mention, if you’ve just shaved your arm pits, then you can irritate your skin applying anything to those under arms. Because razors leave behind tiny nicks and cuts we may not even see, or feel.

You’re applying right before you leave the house

The same as applying deodorant to wet skin doesn’t allow the formula to properly absorb, applying deodorant in the morning, right before we head out for our day could be the reason why it’s not lasting.

When you apply your deodorant right before you head out of the house, you’re not giving the formula the time it needs to absorb into your underarms, and leave them feeling fresh. Try applying at night instead.

In order to help make sure your deodorant lasts all day, you have to know why it’s wearing off in the first place. So hopefully now with some new knowledge, a couple easy tweaks, your underarms can be feeling good, without you feeling worried about reapplication.

Why Your Deodorant Doesn’t Last All Day Anymore (2024)

FAQs

Why Your Deodorant Doesn’t Last All Day Anymore? ›

Several external and internal factors can affect your deodorant's effectiveness. These include humidity, altitude, and the microbiome of your skin. Also, certain foods, can affect the performance of deodorant.

Why does my deodorant not last the whole day? ›

Environmental factors: Hot and humid weather can cause increased sweating, overwhelming the deodorant's capacity to keep up with odor and sweat control. Lifestyle Changes: Changes in diet, stress levels, and physical activity can alter our body's natural odor, making the current deodorant less effective.

Why does my deodorant come off so fast? ›

You're applying to a wet arm pit

So, if your applying deodorant fresh out of the shower, the formula may not necessarily stick. Not to mention, if you've just shaved your arm pits, then you can irritate your skin applying anything to those under arms.

How to get your deodorant to last all day? ›

So, by applying your antiperspirant to dry skin at night, you're not only stopping the sweat while you snooze, but the effect will last well through the next day.

Why do I still smell when I use deodorant? ›

However, unlike antiperspirant, deodorant does not block sweat. Thus, the potential mingling of sweat and bacteria might lead to unexpected odors even after deodorant has been applied. People sometimes use these two terms interchangeably, but there are differences in using antiperspirant vs. deodorant.

Why does my deodorant stop working so quickly? ›

Things like stress, hormonal changes, new medications, and different lifestyle factors (like harder workouts or shifts in the weather) can all impact how you sweat, and your go-to deodorant may not be able to stand up to the new situation.

How long should 1 deodorant last? ›

This will vary from person to person, but generally we say about 3 months. Given that we don't use filler ingredients, and you only need 1 – 2 swipes per application, you may find it lasts you even longer. That's what we call bang for your buck!

Why does my deodorant only last half a day? ›

YOU'RE APPLYING DEODORANT ON WET SKIN

If you're putting on deodorant or antiperspirant right after you shower, your application is less effective. Aluminum, the active ingredient in antiperspirant, can't penetrate wet skin. Also, when you wake up, your body immediately starts sweating (whether you realize it or not).

How can I make my body deodorant last longer? ›

Always use them on clean skin, after you have taken a bath or washed up. Do not put the perfume or deodorant on your clothes. They are meant to be put on your skin and will be effective only then. When applying a deodorant spray, you must hold the can about 10 to 15 cms away from your armpits and then spray.

What's the best deodorant for stinky armpits? ›

Best Overall

Give your pits the protection they need with our top pick, the Uriage Clinical Strength Deodorant. It's a roll-on antiperspirant that glides on in just a few swipes to keep sweating at bay. The aluminum-based formula works by reducing underarm wetness, though it also targets odors.

What deodorant lasts the longest? ›

Lasting Power. Whether you're powering through a long workout or a full day at the office, you'll want a clinical strength deodorant that controls sweating and odor from sun up to sun down. Look for options with staying power, like Degree Advanced Antiperspirant Deodorant, which we found to last up to 24 hours.

What ingredient makes deodorant last long? ›

Aluminum compounds are critical to the success of antiperspirant deodorants. The ions of aluminum compounds are drawn into the epidermis.

Does lotion make deodorant last longer? ›

Moisturize the area: Apply a lotion or a cream on the body parts where you sweat more to prep them to hold the deodorant for longer.

Can others smell my deodorant? ›

The same rules goes for deodorants, perfumes, colognes, and body sprays: If you can still detect your fancy perfume on your skin after a while, other people can definitely smell it when they're around you. So go easy on that stuff.

How to detox your armpits? ›

To do an underarm detox, use 1 tablespoon of bentonite clay (a natural, detoxifying clay) mixed with 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, which has cleansing properties, and 1 teaspoon of water. Apply the paste to your underarms for around 10 minutes daily for a week or more until your underarm odor subsides.

Does shaving armpits reduce smell? ›

Shave or Trim:

If you have body hair, consider shaving or trimming it as needed. Hair can trap sweat and bacteria, providing an environment for odour to develop. Removing or trimming body hair could help reduce bacterial growth and improve the effectiveness of deodorant or antiperspirant.

Why do I have to put on deodorant twice a day? ›

If you tend to sweat a lot, you may wish to apply deodorant or antiperspirant more often. Since deodorant doesn't absorb into your body, there is no limit to how often you can use it to mask odor or to provide a pleasant scent.

Why do I smell bad at the end of the day? ›

Body odor happens when bacteria on your skin come in contact with sweat. Our skin is naturally covered with bacteria. When we sweat, the water, salt and fat mix with this bacteria and can cause odor. The odor can be bad, good or have no smell at all.

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