Whether you think about it or not, applying deodorant is one of the few things you do every single day. Think about that for a moment. Some days we don’t leave our house yet still put on deodorant. Prior to adolescence, we probably didn’t give a second thought to smelling good (or bad, to be fair), but as adults, deodorant is a must. And like almost all habits, we can take it for granted.

But let’s take a  fresh look at deodorant, shall we? Have you wondered if there were ways to get more out of your odor-banishing stick? Well, if you have, wonder no more! We have compiled some of our favorite deodorant hacks that could make life under your arms a breeze.

1. Give your underarms an even, uniform coat: We know what it’s like to be in a rush. Whether you’re running late to work or simply cramming as much into your day as possible, we all can be a little careless. One thing you might not want to do haphazardly is apply your deodorant. Swiping your stick of deodorant in the general area of your underarms might leave you with a few uncovered spots. And when sweat happens (and it will), there will be nothing the uncovered parts of your underarms will be able to do about it. We recommend taking an extra moment to give your underarms a nice, even coat of deodorant before flying out the door. You’ll thank yourself later.

2. Try applying your deodorant at night when your body temperature is cooler: While it’s been more or less proven that antiperspirants work better when applied at night, this doesn’t seem to be helpful to those wearing deodorant, right? Not so fast. Applying your deodorant right before bed might be helpful, as your body temperature is lower at that time. Lower temperature means less sweat. Give it a try and see if your deodorant works at a higher level.

3. For those who have underarm hair, be sure to apply pressure so that your deodorant reaches the skin: If you have hair under your arms, know that pressure is your friend. Deodorant works when it is applied to your skin, which means that simply applying it to your underarm hair follicles won’t help you once stress, heat or other sweat-inducers do their work. Remember: a little extra pressure behind your deodorant will help save you from the effects of pressure later.

4. Don’t apply deodorant immediately after a shower: When your underarms are slick, a quick swipe of your deodorant likely won’t keep you fresh. While it may feel like immediate application helps maintain your out-of-the-shower freshness, it might actually do the opposite. When your skin is wet, it’s difficult for the deodorant’s active ingredients to enter your pores. Put another way, imagine running across a driveway covered in slick oil, trying to gain traction. Do yourself a favor and let your underarms dry completely before applying your deodorant of choice.

5. Know the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant: We recently did a deep dive into this subject, but if you missed it, allow us to give you the short and sweet of it. All “deodorant” is not created equal. While some have taken to calling everything that goes under their arms “deodorant” (not unlike calling all tissues “Kleenex”), that’s not the case. Antiperspirants work to stop sweat before it starts, potentially clogging pores. On the other hand, deodorant works to mask unwanted odor, which is a more natural process for your body. For more info on this subject, check out our blog

6. Buy what you like, regardless of who it’s marketed to: If you like a certain aroma or scent, choose it. The packaging might be directed at a teenage boy or a mother of four, but the formula is generally the same for each. Choose what scent or aroma is pleasant to your nose rather than what marketing demographic you fall into.

7. Don’t be afraid to use it on other parts of your body: This one might seem odd, but don’t be scared to go out on a limb here. While your underarms seem like the most obvious place to apply deodorant, other parts of your body sweat too. Your hairline, hands and neck are all acceptable spots to apply your deodorant. Just make sure that your deodorant is a clear formula; no one wants white, flaky residue following them around all day.

8. Reapply whenever: Contrary to popular belief, deodorant application doesn’t have to be a once-a-day ritual. While we make it a habit to make ourselves fresh first thing in the morning (or at the end of the night, for you nocturnal users), there’s no downside to re-applying as you see fit. About to run a 10k even though you already rolled some deodorant on this morning? No problem! Thinking about adding a safety layer for the big date tonight? Go for it!

Let us know some of your deodorant hacks in the comments! Then, check out our full line of all-natural deodorants here.