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Apply anti-perspirant at night
Apply anti-perspirant at night
SHUTTERSTOCK

Deodorant and anti-perspirant might be thought of as interchangeable, but they each have distinct uses. “Deodorants alone are merely fragrance, whereas anti-perspirants serve to reduce sweating,” explains Dr Ginsberg, adding, “Specifically, anti-perspirants contain an ingredient that forms a plug in the sweat glands. Prescription-strength anti-perspirants do this more effectively.”

Dermatologist, Dr Nikhil Dhingra, agrees, saying, “Anti-perspirant! Use it; it’s inexpensive and highly effective at decreasing the odour-causing apocrine sweat. This does require the use of aluminium in your anti-perspirant, which essentially interacts with sweat to create a salt that physically blocks the exit point for sweat, and this can last a number of hours.”

In order to get the most from your anti-perspirant, apply to dry skin at night. “Your anti-perspirant (with or without deodorant) should be applied at night-time when your sweat production is lowest so it has the best chance of actually blocking those sweat glands,” explains Dr Dhingra, who also recommends those with sensitive skin avoid fragrances due to the thinness of underarm skin. “The use of deodorising fragrance-rich products is generally best avoided as the alcohol-based fragrances are usually the main culprit of itchy irritating reactions from deodorants.”