The Test
All men’s body chemistry works different. “Try out a new deodorant for a week,” Dr. Schweiger advises.
“If you have irritation or do not see improvement, try another product or talk to your dermatologist.” You may need something stronger or an antiperspirant that’s prescription strength.
How and When to Wear
“For deodorant to be effective, apply it when you’re completely dry,” Dr. Gohara says. You can use a blow dryer on low heat to quickly dry your pits if needed. Morning or night, it works the same. If you sweat a lot or use a stronger formulation, slab it on at night.
“The best time to apply deodorant or antiperspirant is right after showering,” says Dr. thedermblog.com Jeffrey Benabio, a San Diego-based dermatologist. Tip: If you have curly hair (like a lot of darker-skinned guys), try clipping your armpit hair to help you sweat less.
If your pet peeve is yellow stains on your whites, which is caused by aluminum bonding to your sweat, put on a single layer instead. Rinsing your shirt with cold water will help minimize the stains. If you’re worried about those embarrassing white marks on your shirt, try a gel deodorant instead.
What To Try
There are plenty of options to keep you dry and stink-free. Just be sure to give products a chance before assuming they don’t work and chucking them. “I would suggest trying a new product out for 7 to 10 days since it takes a few days for your skin to respond to a new formula,”says Dr. Benabio.