What deodorant/anti-perspirant do you use to keep from stinking?

[KSH]

OK... after I ride 2-3 hours... maybe around 30 miles (we have rest stops)... in the sun (around 90+ degrees)... I SMELL!

I SMELL so BAD!!!!

I have tried Degree and Mitchum... neither one works to keep me from stinking.

So, what do you use? I am going to try any/all deodorants so that I don't smell like a man when I am done riding!

[Dianyla]

There's this stuff called Lavilin that you can find at healthfood/organic type stores, or online. It's aluminum-free, reasonably non-toxic (though it does contain petroleum products) and the active ingredient is zinc oxide. Basically it nukes everything in your pits for anywhere from 3-4 days to 2-3 weeks. You can also use it as sunscreen or to control foot odor.

I also find that avoiding dairy products helps reduce BO significantly.

[MomOnBike]

I like Lavilin too. It works for me, but not for anyone else in my family. :confused:

One question, is it you, or your clothing? Synthetic materials can get a bit whiffy. I'm not sure what to do about that. Irulan? Help?

One thing I've found that really does help is to swim. All the chlorine in swimming pools really helps control body bacteria - yes, better than a good shower. And a swim on a hot day is just so nice... (I'm always up for a good excuse.)

[runnergirl]

No anti-persperint/deoderant will do anything for the all around scent I get over the course of a ride or run. It's really pungent, with a lingering undertone of amonia-disgusting :eek:

If I can't shower, changing the sportsbra helps a lot, as that seem to be where I store the most icky smell. I always use about 1/2 cup of borax when I wash clothes, and that prevents any smell build up in tech fabrics.

[betagirl]

I use Arid XX Dry. It seems to do ok. I'm wondering if men's deodorant would work better than women's? Seems many women's are more concerned with you smelling like a rose petal than keeping your pits dry. Especially those invisible solid things. I sweat like I have nothing on with those. But I sure do smell pretty :D

[SimpleCycle]

Is it just your armpits that smell, or all over? I smell like exercise sweat all over, and there's not much you can do about that. On really long rides I used to come back smelling like ammonia, but it was because I wasn't consuming enough carbohydrates on my rides. The ammonia smell comes from your body breaking down protien (mostly from muscle!) to be used as fuel. I increased the amount of carbs, and stopped smelling like ammonia. Now I just smell sweaty.

For my underarms, I use a combination of a crystal deodorant (available at healthfood stores) and Secret Platinum. The first time I put the Secret on my husband got this funny look on his face and said "You smell like....girl." Hah hah. I used to use Old Spice. I'm sensitive to the aluminum, but it only affects me if I use it every day, so I only use the Secret every other or every third day.

As for the exercise sweat, I don't worry about it. I mean, I just rode my bike for hours. I should smell.

[Selkie]

Unfortunately, the natural deodorants don't work for me. The best thing I've found is good old Mennen Speed Stick.

[CorsairMac]

I can only use all natural deodorants and I can't use anti-perspirerants at all. I haven't found Anything yet that keeps me from smelling - even throughout the course of the day (goshdarn these hot flashes :rolleyes: ) I'm Really interested in finding the Lavilin and giving it a try. I read Bob Rolls Tour book and one of the things he mentioned was you could Smell the pelaton coming long before you see it. I figured after reading that - there probably isn't anything out there that will really hold you in 100 degree heat on a 100 mile ride! :p

[PinkRacer]

I use Lush products that are all natural and tend to help kill the smell , I like Krysztal. The all over dusting powers are great... I use them in both shorts and sports bra.... I have a 30 mile commute to work and it helps.... :p


http://usa.lush.com/cgi-bin/lushdb/catzoom.html?mv_arg=Deodorants:expand=00004:upd=y

[RoadRaven]

I use a brand called REXONA... I buy the "sports" one

Make sure you are using an anti-deodourant, not an anti-perspirant (an anti perspirant will only stop the sweating, not the smelling...)

[spazzdog]

It's funny, before i started taking anti-dpressants even though I was mini-paws-al, my sweat didn't stink (unless I wore it for the whole day). Since being on meds, man! My sweat is stinky with a very chemically undertone.

Night sweats especially... it's bizarre!

I use Degree, have for yrs. It was always fine. It's still OK for hanging out but after a work out I gotta hit the shower immedately or I can't stand to sit next to myself.

spazz

[latelatebloomer]

I go for the crystal, myself, because I can use it on my feet, too. That's where the true evil hides. :eek:

[KSH]

OK.... maybe I was a bit overzealous when I said I would TRY ANYTHING.

Let me change it to this... I will try anything that can be purchased at a place like Target/WalMart/You get what I mean.

Where is the smell coming from? My pits. Trust me on this. I have lifted my arms after a ride and my pits STINK... and I wear sleeveless jerseys.

I do swim... typically once a week.

Hhhhhuuummm... I think that covers everything?

I might just stick with my plan of buying a new brand... trying it ... and returning it if it doesn't work.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

[SnappyPix]

Second Rexona Sport, it's fairly incredible - withstands all day rides and still smells sweet.

[MightyMitre]

Ok - just a quick question. Are you talking about getting whiffy while you're exercing? If so, dare I say... does it matter?

If you're talking about being smelly in everyday life then that's different, but if you're out on the bike in the open air working hard, doesn't getting a bit stinky come with the territory? At least it's outdoors and not like you're enclosed in a small gymn with bad air con.

Just my Saturday morning ramblings... :)

[nuthatch]

I smell, no matter what! Just ride faster, KSH!! You'll outrun your stink. No, really, I've found that the actual pit bacteria don't like to be scrubbed really hard. I just scrub hard (within reason) and use a deoderant (anti-perspirants aren't good for your lymphatic system, IMO) that is anti-bacterial.

[Hound Dog]

Just a heads up... it has been recommended that athletes do not use deoderants or antiperspirants when exercising.... and for a good reason.... they inhibit the natural cooling process of your body. If you don't sweat, your body can't cool itself. A deoderant wouldn't be as harmfull as the antiperspirant, but you are still clogging the pores.

If you are riding with others, chances are they stink too... and can't smell you. :D

Just my 2 cents worth.

[SnappyPix]

Hound Dog,

Don't know if this theory holds up, judging by the almost-knock-you-off-your-feet stink that comes from a cake-stop cafe, in the middle of summer, when it's full of male cyclists. Sometimes some peoples' pores need some serious clogging ...

[Hound Dog]

Hound Dog,

Don't know if this theory holds up, judging by the almost-knock-you-off-your-feet stink that comes from a cake-stop cafe, in the middle of summer, when it's full of male cyclists. Sometimes some peoples' pores need some serious clogging ...


Like I said... just my opinion. I would rather smell bad, than have my body overheat. And, if you can't stand the smell of others, then take a few steps back from them. Atheletes sweat, and yes they/we stink. Why would you try and stop a natural body function???? I will continue to keep my pores clear... you can clog yours up if you like.

[singletrackmind]

Right Guard Xtreme sport. My buddy Phil likes it too (yes, we were talking about underarm reek). For us it's been the best so far though if I work hard enough I still stink. Hey, maybe if I can't pass some dude maybe I can make him pass out instead (insert evil laugh)!! :D

It is a little embarrasing to admit who smells so good when it's a woman asking-but not expecting it to be another woman answering. :p

[archibella]

My personal favorite is Dove fresh scent. Not too expensive, and seems to hold up well even under 'harsh conditions', lol! I do tend to reapply just before a ride though... especially if I know it's gonna be a hundred plus degrees out.

[Grog]

I tend to share Hound Dog's point of view: I will not apply or re-apply antiperspirant or deodorant before I ride, first because I don't think any will quite do the job, and second because I too believe that a good sweat is healthy and cleans the toxins out of your body. (Quite unscientific point - I should check this out in the literature sometime.)

But if one MUST use something, I'd strongly suggest using a deodorant rather than antiperspirant, for all the reasons cited above by others.

After a ride, if I must be in a car for more than a few minutes, I'll usually change into cleaner clothes made of non-cotton fibers (wrap around skirt - which allows for modest removal of shorts - and some tshirt which allows modest removal of sportsbra if needed). That takes care of the short-term smell. But a shower ASAP is in order, of course...

I'm quite sure only non-riders will notice the smell. Too bad for them.

[bouncybouncy]

Ok - just a quick question. Are you talking about getting whiffy while you're exercing? If so, dare I say... does it matter?

I second that Mighty!!!


I smell, no matter what! Just ride faster, KSH!! You'll outrun your stink.

Nuthatch, I think you have a training tool there :p

I do love this thread...I have had a heck of a time finding a deodorant/antipersperant to acheive its goal (non-exercise events) I seem to have overactive sweat glands...so much to the point I am extremely picky about shirts I buy because I always seem to have those nasty wet pits when it is the most embarrassing! :o Which eliminates ALOT of cute clothes :( I am going to try a few suggestions...Thanks!

[KSH]

Like I said... just my opinion. I would rather smell bad, than have my body overheat. And, if you can't stand the smell of others, then take a few steps back from them. Atheletes sweat, and yes they/we stink. Why would you try and stop a natural body function???? I will continue to keep my pores clear... you can clog yours up if you like.

Well... the rest of me seems to be letting the *heat* out just fine... so I'm cool with trying to block my pit smell from others... :)

I only smell bad when I ride for an extended amount of time in the heat... my Degree just gives out at some point.

I went to the store... but forgot out the Right Gurad Xtreme suggestion! I did get some new Secret... that I will test out on Wednesday night.

And really... I don't get close enough for anyone else to really smell me... but I can't stand to smell me when I stand still or get in the car to go home!

[snapdragen]

And really... I don't get close enough for anyone else to really smell me... but I can't stand to smell me when I stand still or get in the car to go home!

Baby wipes to "tidy up" with after riding?