It is common to need a quick refresh and consider borrowing a friend’s personal hygiene product. When the need to borrow a deodorant arises, the impulse is to simply use it and move on, but a question of safety and hygiene often follows. While occasional emergency use might seem harmless, understanding how these products work and how they contact the skin is necessary to gauge the actual risks of sharing. The difference between the two main types of underarm products determines the potential for transferring microorganisms.
Deodorant Versus Antiperspirant
Deodorants and antiperspirants address body odor through distinct mechanisms of action. Deodorants are classified as cosmetics and primarily work by minimizing odor-causing bacteria on the skin’s surface and masking existing smell with fragrance. They often contain antimicrobial agents, sometimes combined with alcohol, which make the skin’s environment less suitable for the microbes that break down sweat into malodorous compounds.
Antiperspirants are considered over-the-counter drugs by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) because they affect a bodily function. Their active ingredients are typically aluminum-based compounds, such as aluminum chlorohydrate. These compounds dissolve in sweat and form a temporary, shallow plug in the sweat ducts, physically reducing the amount of moisture that reaches the skin’s surface. Less sweat means less moisture for odor-causing bacteria to thrive, reducing smell.
Understanding the Hygiene Risks of Sharing
Sharing a deodorant or antiperspirant product that makes direct contact with the skin carries a risk of microbial transfer. The moist, warm environment of the armpit naturally hosts a unique community of bacteria, yeast, and fungi (skin flora). When a solid stick or roll-on is applied, it picks up these microorganisms and skin cells from the first user and transfers them into the product base.
The primary hygiene concern relates to transmitting pathogenic microorganisms. Although the risk of infection is relatively low, sharing a stick can transfer bacteria, fungi, and yeast. Skin infections, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or fungal issues like ringworm (tinea corporis), can potentially be spread through direct contact with a contaminated stick. This risk is heightened if either user has freshly shaved or irritated skin, as microscopic cuts can allow pathogens to enter the body. The likelihood of transmitting blood-borne pathogens like Hepatitis B or C is extremely rare.
Safer Alternatives and Application Methods
If borrowing is unavoidable, the application method determines the level of hygiene risk. Aerosol or spray deodorants are the safest option to share because they are applied without the product nozzle touching the skin, preventing cross-contamination. Since the active ingredients are delivered in a fine mist, there is no physical transfer of skin cells or microbes back into the product container.
If only a solid stick product is available, the risk can be minimized by taking a precautionary step. Before use, the top layer of the stick should be thoroughly wiped away, preferably with a clean tissue or an alcohol wipe. This action removes the surface layer that was in contact with the previous user’s skin, exposing a cleaner layer beneath. The safest alternatives involve temporary, non-deodorant solutions for odor control. A quick wash with soap and water is effective, and applying a small amount of hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol to the underarm area can temporarily kill odor-causing bacteria.