# Mens Deodorants and Anti-Perspirants **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 27, 2009, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-deodorants-and-anti-perspirants/494507 "2009-04-27T15:22:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-deodorants-and-anti-perspirants/494507/1 "2009-04-27T15:22:18Z")
Are there any that don’t leave any residue on clothing? I can’t seem to put on an undershirts without getting white streaks on the sides and eventual residue build-up by the armpit area of shirts and undershirts. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-deodorants-and-anti-perspirants/494507/2 "2009-04-27T15:24:00Z")
I use Mitchum gel and it doesn’t leave a residue. The trick is to let it dry before putting a shirt on or I’ll get a streak of wet gel down the side. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-deodorants-and-anti-perspirants/494507/3 "2009-04-27T15:34:30Z")
> [@stpauler](#): > > I use Mitchum gel and it doesn’t leave a residue. The trick is to let it dry before putting a shirt on or I’ll get a streak of wet gel down the side. I haven’t used Mitchum, but I suspect it must be like Gillette’s gel. Letting it dry takes a significant amount of time, which I very rarely have. That’s why I switched to Sure, but it leaves the white marks. ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-deodorants-and-anti-perspirants/494507/4 "2009-04-27T16:03:04Z")
Lol, two responses, and two votes for Mitchum. ::raises hand:: ---
**Author:** ![steadierfooting](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@steadierfooting](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steadierfooting)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-deodorants-and-anti-perspirants/494507/5 "2009-04-27T16:07:23Z")
I’ve used old spice for about 15 years. I slap it on, immediately throwing on a t-shirt, no residue, streaks, or stains, and it keeps me dry all the time. It amazes me at work seeing some people with armpit sweat at work. Obviously their deodorant isn’t working, they should experiment until they find one that works. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-deodorants-and-anti-perspirants/494507/6 "2009-04-27T16:18:15Z")
I use Mitchum Clear Gel. I just timed it, took just under 2 min to dry. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-deodorants-and-anti-perspirants/494507/7 "2009-04-27T16:30:43Z")
Listen to the Mitchum fans, for they are wise. A little TMI here, but I think I was meant to be a fat, hairy man because I perspire a bit much for a lady. My sister had the bright idea to use men’s anti-perspirant since they’re stronger, and I’ve been using Mitchum for years now. It works, it doesn’t screw up my clothing, and if you get the unscented, you don’t have to run around smelling like your grandfather. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-deodorants-and-anti-perspirants/494507/8 "2009-04-27T16:54:39Z")
Same here–I’m a woman who uses Mitchum for Women clear gel, or Mitchum men’s unscented clear gel. Even if you don’t wait for it to dry, just be careful when putting your shirt on and it’s fine. I did start a thread once about why Mitchum men’s has 20% active ingredient and women’s 15%, but I think the consensus was they were different ingredients. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-deodorants-and-anti-perspirants/494507/9 "2009-04-27T17:06:53Z")
> [@steadierfooting](#): > > It amazes me at work seeing some people with armpit sweat at work. Obviously their deodorant isn’t working, they should experiment until they find one that works. Wouldn’t it be their antiperspirant that isn’t working? While I’ve heard good things about Mitchum too, I just bought Gilette’s Clinical one a couple of days ago. So far, so good. It recommends putting it on the night before and letting it kick in while you sleep. This morning our AC was out at work when I arrived and, although very warm here, the Clinical seemed to hold up pretty good. I just checked… Look Ma, no stains. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-deodorants-and-anti-perspirants/494507/10 "2009-04-27T17:46:21Z")
One more vote for Mitchum’s; I buy the men’s for my husband because it comes in fragrance-free and I can’t tolerate fragrance. And it comes in women’s too, but as there is no scent, if one of us runs out, we can borrow. Although because my skin is so sensitive, it’s best if I don’t use his as it seems to be stronger. For the ladies, also try Almay. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-deodorants-and-anti-perspirants/494507/11 "2009-04-27T17:54:17Z")
> [@steadierfooting](#): > > It amazes me at work seeing some people with armpit sweat at work. Obviously their deodorant isn’t working, they should experiment until they find one that works. As **lieu** mentioned, that would be the antiperspirant not working. If they don’t smell bad, the deodorant is working. Some people may not be able to use the chemicals in antiperspirant, or they are worried about aluminum giving them breast cancer. ---
**Author:** ![MeanJoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanjoe/32/5693_2.png) [@MeanJoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanJoe)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-deodorants-and-anti-perspirants/494507/12 "2009-04-27T19:40:05Z")
So… am I the only person who solves this problem by putting on my shirt first and then reaching up from the bottom and putting on the deodorant? No marks on the shirt that way. MeanJoe ---
**Author:** ![Discipline](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/82dd89/32.png) [@Discipline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Discipline)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-deodorants-and-anti-perspirants/494507/13 "2009-04-27T19:55:08Z")
> [@steadierfooting](#): > > It amazes me at work seeing some people with armpit sweat at work. Obviously their deodorant isn’t working, they should experiment until they find one that works. You would not believe how difficult that can be. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-deodorants-and-anti-perspirants/494507/14 "2009-04-27T19:57:09Z")
> [@MeanJoe](#): > > So… am I the only person who solves this problem by putting on my shirt first and then reaching up from the bottom and putting on the deodorant? No marks on the shirt that way. > > MeanJoe I do this if the shirt is loose enough. But I began wearing tighter undershirts so it’s really tough to do without stretching the fabric. ---
**Author:** ![Mann\_Slaughter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@Mann\_Slaughter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mann_Slaughter)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2009, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-deodorants-and-anti-perspirants/494507/15 "2009-04-28T01:55:54Z")
I’ve used Mennen Speed Stick antiperspirant for years. One thing I’ve learned is that it doesn’t take a lot to protect me all day. 2-3 light strokes is enough to keep me from sweating through my shirts, without staining. I can’t use any brand of deodorant. (Even Mennen. And yes, I’ve tried Mitchum) Something in them makes my armpits’ skin peel, and they burn like crazy! ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2009, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-deodorants-and-anti-perspirants/494507/16 "2009-04-28T15:47:32Z")
I use the Mitchum clear gel and still end up with significant residue build-up. (I continue to use it because I haven’t found an everyday unscented antiperspirant that works as well.) I used to used Certain Dri, and it worked a lot better than Mitchum, both in terms of antiperspirant effectiveness and lack of residue. Problem is, you need to put it on the night before, then walk around with your arms held above your head for ten minutes in order to let it dry thoroughly (if you don’t do that, you end up with massive skin irritation and incredibly itchy armpits). ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2009, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-deodorants-and-anti-perspirants/494507/17 "2009-04-28T15:59:02Z")
I’ve been using Degree for many years, because it’s the awesomest. It’s white, but I guess I just dress carefully. I don’t get streaks.