# Preferred Method of Deodorant / Anti-Perspirant Application **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 26, 2013, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferred-method-of-deodorant-anti-perspirant-application/654005 "2013-03-26T14:32:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **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:** [March 26, 2013, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferred-method-of-deodorant-anti-perspirant-application/654005/1 "2013-03-26T14:32:07Z")
Poll to Follow ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferred-method-of-deodorant-anti-perspirant-application/654005/2 "2013-03-26T14:40:58Z")
Mine’s a gel, but it sort of works like a stick, so that’s how I voted. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferred-method-of-deodorant-anti-perspirant-application/654005/3 "2013-03-26T14:48:09Z")
Gel user too, but voted “Other.” ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferred-method-of-deodorant-anti-perspirant-application/654005/4 "2013-03-26T15:00:19Z")
We need a new poll: “Gel deodorant, is it stick or other?” ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferred-method-of-deodorant-anti-perspirant-application/654005/5 "2013-03-26T15:03:17Z")
Male, stick. Unscented, clear. ---
**Author:** ![colonial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/34f0e0/32.png) [@colonial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colonial)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferred-method-of-deodorant-anti-perspirant-application/654005/6 "2013-03-26T15:14:13Z")
Ozone-schmozone. Male-spray (Right Guard Regular) I’ve tried probably 20+ sticks and roll-ons and the RGR spray just suits me best. ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferred-method-of-deodorant-anti-perspirant-application/654005/7 "2013-03-26T15:31:18Z")
I’ve been using the “crystal” type deodorant for a while now. Not perfect, but sufficient–plus, it doesn’t do that horrible plasticine yellow residue on my undershirts. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferred-method-of-deodorant-anti-perspirant-application/654005/8 "2013-03-26T15:42:55Z")
> [@LawMonkey](#): > > Not perfect, but sufficient–plus, it doesn’t do that horrible plasticine yellow residue on my undershirts. I think there must have been advances in antiperspirant stick technology in the past 10 or 20 years, because that’s the last time I can remember getting that gunky residue on my armpits. I’m relatively indifferent to gel vs. solid stick nowadays; they’ve definitely made great strides since I was a teenager in the 1980s! ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferred-method-of-deodorant-anti-perspirant-application/654005/9 "2013-03-26T15:58:46Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > I think there must have been advances in antiperspirant stick technology in the past 10 or 20 years, because that’s the last time I can remember getting that gunky residue on my armpits. > > I’m relatively indifferent to gel vs. solid stick nowadays; they’ve definitely made great strides since I was a teenager in the 1980s! My AP/deo of choice before switching to the crystal was Mitchum’s unscented gel, mostly because it was unscented. It definitely left the residue on my shirts. This would be… oh, I dunno. Year or less ago. ---
**Author:** ![Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimmy_Gibbler)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferred-method-of-deodorant-anti-perspirant-application/654005/10 "2013-03-26T16:10:50Z")
> [@LawMonkey](#): > > I’ve been using the “crystal” type deodorant for a while now. Not perfect, but sufficient–plus, it doesn’t do that horrible plasticine yellow residue on my undershirts. You might want to read ["My Quiet, Mostly Disgusting Adventures with Natural Deodorant](http://thehairpin.com/2010/10/my-quiet-mostly-disgusting-adventures-with-natural-deodorant/)… ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferred-method-of-deodorant-anti-perspirant-application/654005/11 "2013-03-26T16:16:28Z")
I’m intrigued by the people in this poll (3 so far) who voted “Don’t use/Don’t need.” ---
**Author:** ![Sahirrnee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sahirrnee/32/13937_2.png) [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferred-method-of-deodorant-anti-perspirant-application/654005/12 "2013-03-26T16:26:03Z")
I’m allergic or something to deodorant. My underarms swell up and hurt. I found the crystals for my grandfather when he couldn’t wear deodorant anymore for some medical reason. He had emphysema, I’m not sure if it was the meds or his condition. Now I use the crystals. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferred-method-of-deodorant-anti-perspirant-application/654005/13 "2013-03-26T16:32:31Z")
Stick it to da man. Or gel it to da man. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferred-method-of-deodorant-anti-perspirant-application/654005/14 "2013-03-26T16:37:20Z")
Gel, which is not a stick so I voted ‘you forgot’. It’s messy as hell, but it seems to work the best. ETA I should add that I don’t usually wear deodorant in the summer. Counterintuitive, but I usually wear very breathable synthetic shirts so 1) I don’t sweat that much and 2) the pits air out. I need the deodorant in the winter because I’m bundled up to stay warm, usually wear a cotton undershit, and my pits stay slightly swampy all the time. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferred-method-of-deodorant-anti-perspirant-application/654005/15 "2013-03-26T17:52:46Z")
> [@EmilyG](#): > > I’m intrigued by the people in this poll (3 so far) who voted “Don’t use/Don’t need.” It’s a real thing. My dad doesn’t need it, never used it. Never smells. I can verify that he indeed sweats. I wonder if I need it anymore. I had my sweat glands removed from both armpits due to a skin condition (no, really!) I haven’t been bold enough to want to go try to go without it. Better safe than sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferred-method-of-deodorant-anti-perspirant-application/654005/16 "2013-03-26T18:04:33Z")
I use Old Spice Red Zone (or Sweat Defense or whatever they’re calling it nowadays). It’s in the shape of a stick, but when you turn the knob, the stuff gets squeezed through a bunch of little holes. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferred-method-of-deodorant-anti-perspirant-application/654005/17 "2013-03-26T18:06:15Z")
Arm & Hammer unscented stick. Loves me some A&H! I also use their toothpaste and laundry detergent. Knowing my luck, it’s probably lethal over time. ---
**Author:** ![Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimmy_Gibbler)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferred-method-of-deodorant-anti-perspirant-application/654005/18 "2013-03-26T19:45:18Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > I use Old Spice Red Zone (or Sweat Defense or whatever they’re calling it nowadays). It’s in the shape of a stick, but when you turn the knob, the stuff gets squeezed through a bunch of little holes. This is what I use as well. It is objectively the best antiperspirant-deodorant on the market. It is more of a cream texture than a gel, and gels tend to get sticky. Also, you can control the amount applied, unlike with a stick (The “dome” of the deodorant is a plastic grille). Anybody who using anything different is simply wrong; this is a matter of fact, not taste. ---
**Author:** ![SpeedwayRyan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@SpeedwayRyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpeedwayRyan)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferred-method-of-deodorant-anti-perspirant-application/654005/19 "2013-03-26T21:09:27Z")
> [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](#): > > Also, you can control the amount applied, unlike with a stick (The “dome” of the deodorant is a plastic grille). I manage to control the amount applied by controlling the number of times I swipe it on my armpit. Of course, I swipe each pit the same number of times, and perform extra swipes when anticipating sweatier conditions. I don’t like the gel type because it feels super wet and slippery after applying it. But I’m fine with people who use it. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Q.N.Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/3da27b/32.png) [@Q.N.Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.N.Jones)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferred-method-of-deodorant-anti-perspirant-application/654005/20 "2013-03-26T23:01:14Z")
I’m a woman who is deeply saddened by the decline of roll-on deodorant/anti-perspirant. The only thing I can find in stores anymore is Ban. Every single stick deodorant I’ve ever tried has given me a nasty, itchy/sore rash after 2-3 days’ use. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferred-method-of-deodorant-anti-perspirant-application/654005.md?page=2)