If you’re looking for a gel deodorant and antiperspirant that helps you look, feel and smell fresh all day, you may have noticed that your choices are dwindling. A recent reshuffling of deodorant brands and products has left many of us scrambling to find a replacement for products we’ve used before.
Many of us turn to gel deodorants because we believe they work better, stain our skin less, damage our clothing less and find them to be less visible when we’re wearing them. Only some of that’s actually true. But whatever the reason we prefer gels to solids, roll-ons or sprays, they’re getting a little harder to find.
In late 2012, Arrid Extra Dry gel deodorant seemed to be discontinued. You couldn’t fit it anywhere — and you still can’t find it in most stores. But there are other alternatives. And when you look carefully, you’ll see they aren’t as expensive as you think.
Antiperspirants and deodorants may not be a very exciting topic, but if you’ve been using the same thing for years and can’t find it anymore — or have never really found the best brand for you, then a discussion of this topic could be just what you need to solve a personal hygiene issue that all of us must face.
Myths About Gel Deodorants
It might be useful to dispel a few myths about gel deodorants before we go any further. First, you should know that most gels contain the same ingredients as the solids, so they work equally well. Some sprays and other products use different active ingredients, but most antiperspirant products on the market are similar in strength and effectiveness — despite our preferences for one brand or another.
Another common myth is that gels are less likely to discolor clothing than solids. But once again, the active ingredient is the same — and it’s that ingredient, not the solid itself — that reacts with perspiration to cause yellow discoloring. So both solids and gels will discolor clothing over time, especially if you’re a heavy sweater.
But it’s true that gel deodorants may not show on dark-colored clothing as much as solids. While a white solid can leave marks all down the side of a black shirt, a gel won’t. Even if you’re messy when applying it and fail to keep the sides of the shirt away from your underarm area when putting it on, any gel that gets on the cloth will dry, usually without staining.
The Best Gel Deodorants Still Available
Still, I prefer a gel product to a solid, so that’s what I use. When Arrid Extra Dry gel became unavailable in my area, I tried some other products. Almay has a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic product, but I like something with a bit of a scent. Then I found Gillette Clear Gel — available from this Amazon affiliate link. Although it’s technically marketed toward men, I think some of the scents would appeal to women as well.
At first glance, the product may seem overpriced, but each container is more than double the size of other gels. The Almay product I tried was 1.2 ounces; the old Arrid product was about 1.6 ounces. But the Gillette gel deodorant contains a full 4 ounces. When you consider the larger size, the price is really quite reasonable — actually less than what I was paying for Arrid when it was available.
Based on what I learned when researching the best product for me, I know that most gel deodorants are exactly the same. But I like the scent, value and quality of Gillette Arctic Ice, and I think you will too. Whether you’re a man or a woman, it will do the job for you.
And even better, it’s still available.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This site also participates in and links to other affiliate and advertising programs. When you click a link on this page or make a purchase after clicking a link, I may make some money.