STYLE

Let's be real... certain situations just stink. Like volleyball practice. And your stuffy homeroom. Even giving that Spanish presentation. Don't sweat it: We've got solutions for every smelly setting.

Newsflash: Everyone sweats. When it's hot. When we work out. When we get in stressful sitches (auditions, algebra quizzes, asking out that cutie from chem...). So it should never keep you from raising your hand in class or playing a sport you love or walking home with your crush even when it's somehow still 90 in October (thanks, climate change). Whether you decide to stop your sweat—or even your stink—is totally up to you. But should you want to, we have answers for all of your perspiration problems.

How stink starts

Why are we so sweaty, anyway? Blame your glands. Or at least the two of them that produce sweat: eccrine glands (found everywhere on the body but concentrated on your palms, soles and forehead) and apocrine glands (located in the armpits, groin and chest). Perspiration from apocrine glands tends to be thicker and protein-heavy, lending itself to stinkier sweat, explains dermatologist Dr. Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin.

But sweat itself doesn't smell. Body odor occurs when sweat mixes with bacteria on your skin. And the best way to banish B.O.? Applying deodorant or an antiperspirant on the daily.

@lumedeodorant

Deodorant vs. antiperspirant

Head to any drugstore, and you'll see a pretty much endless assortment of deodorants and antiperspirants. But which is right for you? To decide, get to know the difference between the two.

"Deodorants tackle odor, and antiperspirants address both sweat and odor," notes Dr. Diana Ponsky. Typically, deodorants will have some sort of ingredient that aims to absorb sweat (like rice or arrowroot powder, tapioca starch or baking soda), but it's the aluminum-based compounds in antiperspirants that block pores to stop sweat from reaching the skin's surface, resulting in less odor. (And forget what you may have heard on social media: Study after study shows that aluminum-based antiperspirants don't cause cancer.)

So if you want to keep your underarms stink-free, swipe on deodorant to stay fresh all day long. But if you're a sweaty Betty and want to avoid pitting out during your big English presentation, antiperspirant is the way to go.

Arm yourself

The perfect time to swipe on your daily deo or antiperspirant? That depends on which product you pick.

Deodorant should be applied first thing in the morning before you can even break a sweat. Opting for antiperspirant? You'll want to swipe at nighttime, right before bed, says Dr. Ponsky. "Since your skin is dry, the aluminum can penetrate the sweat ducts more effectively," she explains.

And when it comes to staving off sweat or stink, more is *not* more—just a couple of swipes will do.

The deal with head-to-toe deos

You've probably seen the new full-body deodorants on the market that are meant for use in areas other than your underarms (like your feet). They can be a total game-changer for anyone who struggles with something like hyperhidrosis (a medical term for excessive sweating) or has concerns about strong body odor.

But there's no reason to use one if you haven't experienced a diagnosed sweating or odor issue. And we're doing you a favor when we say this: Your vagina does not need deo—in fact, the ingredients in most products can mess with your pH balance and cause *real* problems. So skip the spray down there. You're welcome.

@saltandstone

Smell-Good Saviors

Say see ya to stink with these scent superstars.

Sensitive Skin: Look for deodorants with as few ingredients as possible. Unscented, baking soda-free and paraben-free formulas do what you need them to do (bust odor) while skipping what really stinks (burning your pits). Try: Native Sensitive Deodorant in Unscented, $13, nativecos.com

Invisible Protection: Liquid gel dries without any white residue (aka the last thing that black tee needs). Pick an AHA-based formula to soothe a fresh underarm shave and help balance the bacteria at the root of your stink. Just allow a bit of drying time for max funk fighting. Try: Nécessaire The Deodorant Gel, $18, sephora.com

Quick-Drying: A dry spray puts the stick formula in aerosolized form. It's a great option for a speedy morning pit fix, since it tends to dry more quickly. It's also a great solution for the girls who might need a bit more deo help on their chests, backs of knees and thighs. Try: Dove Advanced Care Cool Essentials Antiperspirant Dry Spray, $8, target.com

Post-Workout: The perfect addition to gym bags and hot days, deodorant wipes are a quick way to refresh sweaty areas and bust any lingering B.O. Plus, formulas with odor fighters like zinc, prebiotics and probiotics nix stink in the long term too. Try: Busy Co. Refresh Deodorant Wipes in Clarifying Citrus, $11, walmart.com

Overall Dryness: Unconventional? Sure. Effective? Absolutely. Sprinkle powder onto your palm first, then gently rub onto underarms, underboobs, backs of knees or even thighs to fight excess drip—and that uncomfy chafing. Try: Megababe Body Dust, $20, target.com

Hey, girl! Just wanted to let you know that this piece originally ran in our August/September 2024 issue. Want more? Read the print mag for free *today* when you click HERE.

Keep reading for more health and beauty content:
🎀 Add these hair trends to your "try now" list
🥎 Entering your fitness girlie era? Read these tips first
🥤 Sip, glow, conquer: The ultimate smoothie power-up guide

by Lisa DeSantis | 8/12/2024