Although it may seem unintuitive, the ideal time to apply it is before going to sleep and not in the morning.
Although it plays an important biological role in helping us regulate our temperature, sweat can be an unpleasant nuisance, leading millions of people to rely on antiperspirants and deodorants.
First of all, there is some difference between antiperspirants and deodorants? While deodorant simply masks odor with fragrance, antiperspirant uses aluminum salts to reduce the flow of sweat. When applied, these salts dissolve in the skin’s moisture and form a kind of temporary gel plug inside the sweat ducts. This buffer prevents perspiration from reaching the surface, helping clothes stay dry and reducing humidity for prolonged periods. Therefore, many of the products we call deodorants are, in fact, also antiperspirants.
Despite common practice, applying antiperspirant in the morning can actually limit its effectiveness. Experts, including (IHS), emphasize that application at night provides significantly better protection.
As this process takes time, experts recommend applying the product before bed. “Sweat production is less at night“, explains the IHS. This reduction in moisture allows the active ingredients to penetrate deep into the pores without being immediately removed by sweat. Overnight, the formula has time to form a stable barrier that remains effective throughout the next day — when heat, stress and movement typically increase sweat production.
Although you can reapply antiperspirant in the morning if you prefer, experts emphasize that nightly application is the crucial step. Once formed, sweat-blocking barriers can remain effective for up to 24 hours before gradually dissolving.
Despite forming a physical barrier, antiperspirant does not harm sweat glands or make them swell. Dermatologists emphasize that the body has response mechanisms: when a gland is temporarily blocked, simply stops sweat production until the duct unblocks naturally.
As consumers continue to seek long-lasting solutions for sweat control, proper application techniques remain essential. For most people, the easiest way to improve antiperspirant performance is to simply adjust the application time.
