Wait, Are We All Supposed To Be Applying Deodorant at Night?
You wouldn’t think twice about applying deodorant when you’re getting ready in the morning or about to head to the gym. But what about at night? Is it okay to slip into your PJs without giving your pits a swipe? Can nighttime deodorant use actually be harmful?
These are complicated questions. Some people sleep alone. Some don’t. Some people naturally sweat more than others.
No matter what your sleeping situation is, dermatologists have some thoughts on whether or not people should be wearing deodorant at night. Keep reading to see the verdict.
Related: How To Know If You Sweat Too Much—and Why Some People Sweat More Than Others
How Perspiration Levels Change at Night
According to Dr. Leah Ansell, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at Treiber Dermatology Associates, perspiration levels are different at nighttime than they are during the day. “Perspiration is the normal physiologic response to help regulate one's body temperature. Because physical activity ebbs and flows during the day and one experiences different temperatures and environments, sweating typically occurs during the day,” she says. Dr. Shari Lipner, MD, Ph.D., a dermatologist at Weill Cornell Medicine, explains it this way: “We sweat less at night because activity level is lower and sweat glands are less active.”
Makes sense, right? There’s one caveat though. Dr. Ansell says if your sleeping environment is too warm or you’re wearing a lot of layers to bed, you can start sweating as a reaction to feeling toasty. Again, this is because the temperature is activating the sweat glands.
Related: Waking Up Covered In Sweat Every Night? The Reason Might Not Be As Obvious As You Think
Most people apply either deodorant or antiperspirant in the morning. These two products are slightly different: deodorant protects against odor while antiperspirant protects against sweat and odor. Whichever one you prefer, you may be wondering if it’s still working by the time you’re ready to hit the hay. (Assuming you don’t shower and wash it off in the evening.) Both dermatologists say that most deodorants and antiperspirants last between 12 and 24 hours; it depends on how much you’re sweating during the day. “Sweat glands absorb the ingredients better when they are less active. If you do not sweat at all, the effect may last the entire day. If you sweat a lot, it may only last a few hours,” Dr. Lipner says.
Dr. Ansell adds that some dermatologists recommend applying deodorant or antiperspirant in the evening when the sweat glands are less active. “This allows the aluminum to absorb into the sweat ducts better, allowing for longer-lasting effects,” she explains. “Because sweat glands are more active in the morning, they are more likely to sweat off before they have time to absorb into the sweat glands.”
With all this in mind comes the big question: Should we be wearing deodorant or antiperspirant at night?
The Verdict on if We Should Be Wearing Deodorant to Bed
Both dermatologists say that there’s no need to wear deodorant at night unless you’re sweating a lot and it’s bothersome to you (or your partner). However, Dr. Ansell reiterates that it can be beneficial to apply deodorant in the evening when sweat glands aren’t as active to allow the aluminum to absorb in the sweat ducts better. But if you are used to applying deodorant in the morning and it seems to be working just fine, there’s no reason to put more on at night.
Even if you are sleeping with a partner—and spending at least some of your time in bed together not sleeping—Dr. Ansell and Dr. Lipner say there’s no need to wear deodorant unless you’re sweating and the odor is bothering you or your partner. Really, it’s a personal choice.
If you do wear deodorant or antiperspirant at night, that’s okay too. Both dermatologists say that doing so will not negatively impact your health in any way. You might have heard that some people don’t wear deodorant at night “to let their skin breathe.” Is there truth to this? “Sweat glands do not need to breathe. So this is not true,” Dr. Lipner says.
If you find that you are sweating a lot at night (to the point where your sheets are soaked), Dr. Lipner says that it’s worth talking to a dermatologist. They can help you pinpoint the reason why and offer solutions that can make sleeping more comfortable for you.
The bottom line is that it’s 100 percent okay to not wear deodorant at night. But if you want to, that’s okay too. It’s a personal choice and whatever you decide, your dermatologist will approve.
Next up, check out this list of 10 top-rated natural deodorants on Amazon.
Sources
Dr. Leah Ansell, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist at Treiber Dermatology Associates
Dr. Shari Lipner, MD, PhD, a dermatologist at Weill Cornell Medicine
