Kitten divine from the forums says…I’m having a little trouble finding a deodorant that I like. The problem is that they all leave white marks in my t-shirts. I’ve tried different brands and I always pick the one that claims to leave no white marks, so I really don’t get it. So what I wanted to ask is what causes the white marks? Does it make a difference whether you use a spray, a roll-on or a stick formula? Are they’re certain ingredients you have to avoid to prevent them? And is they’re a difference between regular deodorants and antiperspirants when it comes to white marks?
Left Brain’s residual retort
The solution to this problem is simple…wear white t-shirts. Of course, this 
will severely restrict your fashion options and totally ruin any Goth look you might be going for so let’s see what else you might try.
First, see this link for a quick primer on the differences between antiperspirants and deodorants. Essentially, AP stops you from sweating, Deodorants stop you from smelling.
What causes the white marks?
There is a variety of things that can be causing the white marks. Let’s start with antiperspirants. The primary ingredients that make antiperspirants work are aluminum salts including aluminum chlorohydrates, aluminum zirconium chlorohydrates, and aluminum chloride. In the United States, these have been deemed by the FDA as “generally recognized as safe and effective” and are the only ones allowed for use in stopping perspiration.
The exact mechanism by how they work has not been definitively determined, but the leading theory is that the aluminum salts form a layer that blocks and closes the sweat gland. Unfortunately, these aluminum salts can also form the white, chalky marks when they dry out.
To reduce these white marks, AP/DO makers use hydrating solvents in their formulas. However, they can’t completely eliminate the residue because the more solvent they use the less effective and aesthetically appealing the products become. No one wants to put a product under their arms that feels “wet”.
While deodorants don’t have aluminum salts, they do have other ingredients that can cause residues. These are the white, waxy materials used to deliver the active ingredients such as sodium stearate, stearyl alcohol or glyceryl stearate.
Does the type of product matter?
All AP/DO have the potential to produce a residue, but some are more likely than others. In general, dry sticks and powders will be the most likely to exhibit the problem. (They’re also the most effective at stopping wetness). Creams can also be problematic but less so than sticks. After that, roll-ons, aerosols and lotions all have about the same whitening potential.
What ingredients should you avoid?
It’s not a simple matter to just avoid specific ingredients. Whether a product causes whiteness or not depends also on the way it is manufactured and the way your body is designed. However, the following guidelines can help.
Use a deodorant
If wetness is not your problem, avoiding antiperspirants and using a deodorant is a good option. Look for a stick like Adidas Absorbent Deo Deodorant
Look for clear formulas
But if you can’t get away without using an antiperspirant, then try a clear formula like Mitchum Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant
Keep your shirts clean
And if you feel like your typical washing habits aren’t removing the underarm build-up, you can try a product like Clarsskin which is supposed to do a better job of removing residue.
Beauty Brains bottom line
White residue is a natural property of antiperspirants and deodorants. It is something that cosmetic chemists continue to try and improve and things have gotten much better. Whether you get a white residue depends both on the ingredients, the way it’s manufactured, and your own person body design. To avoid the whiteness, your best bet is to keep trying different products until you find one that works.
Do you have a problem with white stains from your underarm deodorant / antiperspirant? What product have you found to stop the problem? And how do you remove the stains from your shirts? Leave your comment below.
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This is a great post. Love the white t-shirt option
!
What about the ammonium alum crystal? I’ve used it for a while and I don’t think I’ve noticed any residue on clothes.
Been lurking for a while and think your site is great for inspiring critical thinking.
I use one of those crystal deodorants, too. No mess and they work fine for me even in Florida. I also like that the blocks last for a VERY long time (making them dirt cheap) and the packaging is usually minimal.
it’s all about folding your shirt up before putting it on. that way any white marks stay on the inside.
The antiperspirant industry has brainwashed us into thinking we must stay dry. And most of us can’t stay dry, no matter what lengths we use to do so…
Sweating is a natural response to heat or stress. Wetness itself is not really problematic, rather its the odor of bacteria in the sweat.
The ingredients in most commercial antiperspirents cause the ‘white’ effect, but is it worth it because we’re told that being dry is the ultimate goal?
I cannot tolerate most antiperspirants. I break out in a itchy, nasty rash and thus must wash twice a day. But I recently discovered ‘natural’ deodorant, like Tom’s… it is gently scented with natural scents like lavendar (which I believe is a natural deodorant), and I have no itchy rash. And if I have any wetness, it is minimal, and non offensive. My clothes are not stained nor do they stink after wearing.
There’s been an ‘urban legend’ for years about the aluminum salts in anti-perspirants causing cancer. This has been ‘poo-pooed’ by authorities, but when I consider my bodies reaction to them, I wonder what long term effect they have in suppressing the body’s natural response to heat and stress.
Ug, I HATE it when people claim that we’re “brainwashed” into using certain products.
I use antiperspirants because I WANT to for MY OWN COMFORT. I HATE the feeling of wetness under my pits. It’s the same reason I shave my pits and legs – for MYSELF, NOT because I’m “brainwashed” into it.
Since I wear shirts with sleeves white marks don’t bother me. No one’s going to see them. It’s only people who wear sleeveless or really short capped or slash sleeves that have to worry. I’m not in the habit of turning my shirts inside out and it comes out in the wash.
Different brands have slightly different formulas too. So you might have an allergic reaction to one brand, but not another. Or even different types in the same brand. I get really itchy pits if I use roll ons, sprays, or gels. They don’t itch if I use just the regular old white stick.
Degree leaves me feeling wet. Mitchum I get a weird smell even with their unscented stuff. Arrid XX-Dry works but Dove brand works better for me.
And that whole “antiperspirants cause cancer” is just the rants of the tinfoil hat brigade.
Bottom line, I’m NOT brainwashed. I do it for MYSELF.
I’ve tried many, many deodorants, antiperspirants, powders and blocks. The product I’ve been loving for the past few months is Mitchum antiperspirant. My sensitive skin tolerates it, even after shaving, I haven’t had any white residue incidents, and it has done a good job of keeping the odour at bay. I recommend Mitchum for those of us who can’t let go of black shirts.
“Brainwashing” does seem a bit extreme.
The most likely cause that a product causes irritation is something in their fragrance. While the fragrance in nearly all products are chemically different, they are all labeled simply “fragrance” (or parfume if you’re in the EU).
Yeah I should’ve added I use the unscented stuff. I try to always use unscented products so it doesn’t clash with my perfume.
I found that wiping deodorant marks off shirts with a nylon stocking works fairly well.
. . . just seconding the idea that it is advertising that leads us to believe we should be sweat-free; that dry is “comfortable”; that dry underarms are the norm; that sweaty pits are gross. . . .
I have recently, post-40, come to the conclusion that allowing my body to have its normal response to the conditions it’s subjected to is probably healthiest. When it’s warm or I’m nervous, I sweat. To avoid being socially ostracized, I use the crystal deodorant that others have mentioned.
Well, I’m going to stand by what I say.
I don’t do it because the companies tell me to. I use it because I choose to. I find wetness outside of a pool or bath uncomfortable. I hate the sticky feeling sweet leaves on my skin. I hate the smell.
I do it for ME. I do NOT do it because advertising tells me to.
And I firmly believe that 99% of the people deep down feel the same way.
One way to ‘erase’ those pesky white marks is to use the Gal Pal Garment Deodorant Remover… a wonderful and magical, I might add, little pink sponge that literally erases those white marks from your clothing. No ladies, a regular sponge isn’t as magical! They last forever and make excellent little gifts. I came across them in a little boutique clothing store in Oakville, Ontario years ago but am now seeing them in drug and department stores. See also their website: http://www.gal-pal.com
The deodorant I use is a miracle product. All natural and holistic, it keeps odor and wetness away…it is made by Real Purity. It is $10, but lasts you a long time and is truly the best natural deodorant ever created. And no white marks either!
I’ve used Mitchum for years and have been satisfied. Recommend waiting 15+ minutes to apply after just shaving your underarms. It’s strong!
Been tempted to try Botox to prevent excess underarm sweating during the summer months. Read that it works great.
To lessen residue of antiperspirant on white shirts, apply it at least 5 minutes before putting on your shirt. This way, the solution somehow is already dry on the skin.