Winter feels like it should be deodorant’s easiest season. With the heat gone, one can assume sweat and odor should be less of an issue. And yet, for many people, body odor becomes harder to control once temperatures drop.
Dermatologists say that’s not your imagination. “It may feel like you sweat less in the winter, but your sweat may be trapped under layers of clothing, giving odor-causing bacteria more time to produce body odor,” said Dr. Susan Massick, associate professor of dermatology at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Cold weather changes how your body sweats, how odor forms, how clothing traps moisture, and even how your skin’s microbiome behaves. Add in the differences between deodorants and antiperspirants — and the growing popularity of natural formulas — and it becomes clear why winter can be surprisingly tough on underarm freshness.
You’re still sweating in winter — it’s just trapped longer
One of the biggest misconceptions is that less heat means less sweat. “Sweating serves a purpose in helping you maintain a steady internal body temperature,” Massick said. “You will sweat regardless of the outdoor temperature, even in the cold winter months.”
What changes in winter isn’t whether you sweat, but what happens to that sweat afterward. “Deodorant needs airflow to keep the freshness. If you are wearing heavy clothing, the airflow to your body is decreased,” explained Dr. Tanya Kormeili, a board-certified dermatologist at the Derm & Rejuvenation Institute in Los Angeles.
Massick noted that winter layering creates a combination of factors that promote odor. “Trapped heat, occluded moisture and friction are common in the underarm area,” she said. When sweat can’t evaporate, and bacteria thrive, a deodorant that works well in summer may struggle under winter conditions.
Fabric choice matters, too. “If you’re wearing synthetic clothing, the sweat is less likely to be wicked away as compared to natural fabrics, such as cotton,” Kormeili explained.
Winter skin changes can make odor harder to control
Cold air, low humidity and hot showers all take a toll on your skin barrier in winter, and that affects odor more than most people realize.
“The dry air and cold weather temps will dry out your skin, disrupting the natural skin barrier,” Massick said.
Overwashing and hot showers can disrupt the skin barrier, worsening the overall problem. “As the temperature and the environment on our skin change, so do the bacteria that live on our skin,” Kormeili explained. “The change in the microbiome can also contribute to your odor.”
Skin irritation can also make deodorant harder to tolerate. “The more irritated the skin, the harder it is to wear deodorant because it can cause further irritation and dryness,” Kormeili said. Even if the odor seems worse, people may hesitate to reapply or switch products, which can compound the issue.
Not all deodorants fail in winter — it depends on the formula
A major reason winter odor feels harder to control is confusion about what different products actually do. “Deodorants help address odor while antiperspirants help combat the amount of sweat,” Massick explained. Aluminum-based antiperspirants “will work to decrease sweat production regardless of the temperature,” she said.
“However, there are some associations with the use of aluminum and high aluminum in the body with certain disease states, so please use cautiously,” Kormeili added.
Amid these concerns, natural deodorants are more popular than ever, but winter conditions can expose their limitations.
“Natural deodorants don’t reduce sweat and, as such, cannot control odor in the same way,” Kormeili said. “Because sweat evaporates less under heavy clothing, natural deodorants are less effective [in winter].”
For people committed to natural formulas, winter may require adjustments in clothing, application habits or expectations. “Natural fabrics, such as cotton and wool, are preferred to synthetic blends to minimize odor,” she added.
Other odor-control mistakes you might be making
Dermatologists say many winter deodorant problems come down to timing and technique.
“What some people may not realize is that antiperspirants actually work best when allowed to sit on the skin for longer periods of time,” Massick noted. “Antiperspirants work best when applied the night before.”
For the best results, a clean, dry application surface is key. “Shave or trim the hair to make sure the deodorant or antiperspirant is on the skin and not tangled in the hair above it,” Kormeili advised. “Apply [the product] to clean and dry skin, not wet and sweaty skin.”
And in a pinch, Kormeili offered an unconventional tip: “You can use hand sanitizer, which is mainly alcohol, to kill the bacteria in your armpit area … and leave you fresh!”
Looking for a little help? Check out these highly rated deodorants.
HuffPost and its publishing partners may receive a commission from some purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently curated by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change.
Target
Duradry AM deodorant and antiperspirant
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars
This maximum-strength antiperspirant is a favorite of sweaty people who want to harness the power of a prescription-strength formula that can actually help to reduce sweat and minimize funky smells. The stick has a creamy formula that won’t dry or irritate skin but it also won’t leave marks or stains on your clothing. It’s available in four scents.
Promising reviews: “Let me just start off with WOW! It feels so good to go out and not have to worry about the sweat and smell that comes from my underarms. After having kids I have been having lots of insecurities/issues when it comes to my pits. I have tried MANY antiperspirants and none have worked for me, till now!!! I’m so glad I came upon this product! I have the confidence to walk around in a tank top and short sleeve top/dress without having to worry if I’m sweaty or smelly. I highly recommend this product!!” — YveL
“This deodorant has truly been lifesaving! I have used all the clinical strength deodorants, switched up between every brand and this is the first product that left me still feeling fresh at the end of the day. Honestly I can now go 48 hours without reapplying and there is zero odor.” — Stacia M.
“It works better than anything I’ve ever used. I’ve tried EVERYTHING! There are some others that controlled odor but NONE that controlled odor AND sweat.. DURADRY is a game changer. Changed my life actually!” — Dianna S.
Amazon
Degree Clinical Protection 72-hour women’s antiperspirant and deodorant
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
If you prefer a softer scent, then you can enjoy this even more highly-rated Degree deodorant. It utilizes the brand’s same MotionSense formula to keep you smelling fresh and dry all day long with a soft, fruity and floral scent. Multiple reviewers recommended it for that hormone-induced postpartum period that can be particularly sweaty and stinky.
Promising reviews: “Just buy it! My deodorant stopped working due to stress and hormones and mannnn this right here !! Works great. Smells great. floral smell last all day long !!” — Kayla Rojas
“After having a baby your hormones are all over the place. No deodorant would work on me. After trying this one, it works so great, the scents last all day. I finally dont stink, would recommend for any one that had a baby and is struggling with odor” — Michelle
“I’m 8 months pregnant and have been really hot and sweaty lately and my other deodorant just wasn’t cutting it. I even tried my husbands deodorant because I could always smell my own armpits! But nothing worked until I came across this clinical strength deodorant! It really works! No more BO for this mamma!” — Clarissa S. Baez
Amazon
Secret Clinical Strength deodorant and antiperspirant for women
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
The clear gel formula of this deodorant means that not only do you smell fresh as a daisy 24/7, but your clothes won’t get gunky or ruined by stains. This ultra-popular and highly-rated deodorant can provide up to 72 hours of sweat protection to prevent stress, heat and activity-induced sweat. It’s available in a couple scents at Amazon.
Promising review: “Best consistent deodorant I’ve ever had. It’s wonderful. Great smell. Lasts long with no smelly underarms. I’m hooked.” — Marylee
“This is the best deodorant in the world. I’m a big girl so I’m always hot and sweating. This keeps me completely dry and odor free all day and into the next. I love the clear gel formula. It dries quickly and doesn’t leave any residue or white marks on my bra. The scent is light and clean and doesn’t have a heavy, chemical or soapy smell. Feels great on the skin. Can apply to recently shaven underarms with no sting. It’s a little pricey for a stick of deoderant but you get your money’s worth. It is everything you want in a heavy duty deodorant. Yes, the the Clinical Strength works better than the Outlast version of Secret by far.” — Julie
“I’ve been using this product for years and the only time I break a sweat is at the gym or on a very hot day. This worked well for me so I bought it for my husband. He is in construction so very few days go by where he is not sweating. This works great for him! He makes sure to let me know when he is getting low.” — Heather M.
Amazon
Degree Clinical Protection 72-hour men’s antiperspirant and deodorant
Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars
Degree’s powerful prescription-strength formula claims to be motion-activated, releasing a waft of fragrance anytime you move to keep you as fresh at the start of the day as it does at the end. No wonder this easily-accessible brand is so popular and timeless. It’s marketed towards men, but we know that anyone who loves the smell and needs great protection against wet pits can enjoy this deodorant. (I often prefer deodorants in what is labeled as “men’s” formulas and scents because it’s a nice juxtaposition to my softer perfumes and lotions.) Reviewers also note that it’s a great option for particularly pungent teen boys.
Promising reviews: “I had a real problem dealing with underarm sweat for the past several years. I tried several different brands and no matter what I was still sweating, still sweating. My underarm sweat made it hard for me to go out in public in any colored shirts besides dark colors. Just when I felt like all hope was lost and I’d have to go see a doctor about it, I stumbled upon this and it changed my life… not only do I not sweat in casual settings anymore, but I rarely even sweat during my hour sessions in the gym. Even after some pretty strenuous outdoor activity this stuff holds, this stick of deodorant is amazing, plain and simple. I apply it every time after a shower in the evening and it lasts 72 hours as advertised. If you were like me and struggling to stay dry definitely give this stuff a go. I’ll never use anything else.” — Luke
“This underarm clinical formula is long lasting & works well for my teenage son.” — SR75
Amazon
Uriage Eau Thermale Power 3 clinical strength antiperspirant and deodorant
For an ultra-clean smell, check out this Uriage deodorant. It’s long-lasting, prevents clothing stains and actively keeps prespiration at bay while fighting odor. The formula is suprisingly gentle on skin with a pleasant, subtle scent.
Promising reviews: “I never ever write reviews but I felt really compelled to write one about this deodorant because it’s AMAZING. When I tell you all I have hyperhidrosis, it’s an understatement. I’m a nurse by trade and while all the deodorants in the store kept me smelling fresh, I was always soaking wet under my arms three hours into my shift. I’ve only been using this for two days and I won’t ever go back to buying drug store deodorant. It’s a roll on, which I actually like, it’s easy to apply, it dries quickly and I legit just got back from running errands (which usually would require me to change when I got home) and I am bone dry. It smells really nice, too, and – extra extra bonus – NO MORE WHITE STAINS ON THE UNDERARMS OF ALL MY SHIRTS!! I had tried so many “clinical strength” deodorants/antiperspirants and homeopathic deodorants/antiperspirants and was completely discouraged. I had just about resigned myself to always having to deal with excessive moisture under my arms and seeing people see it (which is embarrassing). I love it, I love it, I love it. If you sweat excessively, have struggled to find an antiperspirant that works for you and felt just about like giving up – this is definitely the solution.” — Amazon customer
“After starting a new medication I quickly realized my armpits were terribly stinky! I tried multiple different deodorants and none of them kept that horrible odor at bay. I saw a post from someone one the same medication who recommended this and I have to say I LOVE IT! No more stinky pits! Love the rollerball for applying. It doesn’t take a whole lot so this bottle will last quite awhile. It does take a little bit for it to completely dry, but still well worth it. It still works 36 hours after application for me. Highly recommend!” — Amazon customer
Amazon
Dove clinical protection antiperspirant and deodorant
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Stay comfy no matter how much the temps rise outdoors and in your body (thanks, hot flashes). This prescription-strength antiperspirant can not only keep you dry and smelling fresh and clean, but can help to soften and smooth underarms with a nourishing formula that moisturizes the skin.
Promising review: “I have never used a cream deodorant so I was a bit skeptical about it. But it goes right into your skin with no greasy residue and it really works at keeping you dry.” — Jasmine
“Good deodorant. This deodorant works well on odor and wetness. It has a pleasant scent. It is a powder that comes out damp but dries quickly. It does not leave residue on my clothes.I have never used a deodorant like this. It does not cause a rash in my armpits. So far, I really like it!” — M. Davis
“Due to over active sweat glands I’ve been using this for years and no sweat stains on shirts .” — It works
Amazon
Certain Dri prescription strength clinical antiperspirant roll-on deodorant
Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars
While not necessarily glamorous or decked out in fancy packaging, Certain Dri is a super popular clinical strength deodorant because it works, especially for people dealing with hyperhidrosis. Given the high percentage of aluminum chloride, those with sensitive skin might want to steer clear. But if you’re looking for a majorly heavy-duty deodorant, this is it. Reviewers note that you don’t even need to use it every day — many alternate with gentler formulas and still get fantastic long-term results. They also mentioned that it could cause a burning sensation upon initial application, but you can avoid that by making sure your pits are fully dried before applying.
Promising reviews: “I have constantly sweaty underarms and have tried bunch of different products. This is the most budget friendly option I’ve tried and it actually works! I am noticeably less sweaty, even after an intense workout or mowing on a hot day. I also love that it doesn’t leave any stains or residue on clothing, unlike some other products I have tried. I apply it about every other night, so long as I haven’t shaved that day, and have had almost no issues with irritation. On the “off” nights, I use a traditional gel deodorant.” — Amazon customer
“I am glad I tried this!
I tried all the drug store options and NOTHING was working. I was sweating through shirts even when I did not think it was hot enough to! Anway, I put this on after the shower maybe every 3rd night. It takes a bit of 5 min to fully dry. Then boom! results are great. My skin has had no reactions that is visibly noticeable. Only con – I did find it to slightly burn if I put it on after I shave. So, I try to not do that, but honestly it hurts less than razor burn.” — alyssa
“i’ve been using this for over a decade for a reason. i’ve tried all sorts of other products and none of them hold a candle to certain-dri. note: a little goes a long way. you don’t need to saturate your underarms (and honestly you don’t want to because this stuff is STRONG). too much and you’ll be itching all night. which brings me to another point: ONLY use at night before bed and NOT immediately after a shower/bath. i like to take a bath every night, but wait at least an hour before applying this product. if your pits are even a little humid before applying, you’ll itch like crazy. all that said, if you follow the instructions you only need to apply every 2-3 days and you’ll have zero sweat. none. at all. it’s a miracle! i’m naturally VERY sweaty especially in summer but with certain-dri i don’t have to worry about sweaty underarms.” — P&M
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