Everything you need to know about deodorant wipes
3 min read
No need to feel anything less than fresh – Photo courtesy of Getty images / aquaArts studio
A few months ago, my travel agent best friend clued me into her secret for staying fresh during those dreary all-day travel expeditions: deodorant wipes.
Forget packing an entire tube of deodorant in your backpack — deodorant wipes are smaller, flatter, and more discrete to use if you’re stuck in an airport bathroom (or worse, stuffed onto a bus).
Do they work? How much do they cost? Which are the best? Here’s what you need to know as you pack for your next expedition.
What are deodorant wipes?
Like regular tubes of deodorant, wipes are freshening, odor-fighting solutions that can help keep you feeling (and smelling) clean, even if it’s been a while since you’ve been able to properly shower. They can be found just about anywhere, but right now, we’re kind of obsessed with the reviewer-favorite Mando wipes. You can find wipes at Amazon, Walmart, REI, and your local grocery store.
Deodorant wipes are cheap and surprisingly effective – Photo courtesy of Mando Wipes
How do deodorant wipes work?
As with deodorant sticks, these wipes are meant to be applied to areas that are prone to smelling or chafing. Mando offers simple and easy guidance: “Wipe anywhere you have odor and wish you didn’t.”
These wipes tend to come in multi-packs, like 15 or 45. A 15-pack should last an entire trip, and if you’ve never used them before, it makes the most sense to start there as you experiment with how they work on your body. If you’re planning a longer trip where showering will be limited, a larger pack (or multiple ones) may be better.
As you shop for wipes, look for ones that work well with your skin type. If you have sensitive skin, opt for aluminum-free options and those with limited chemicals, as they’ll be less likely to irritate you.
Mando wipes, for example, are vegan, cruelty-free, dye-free, and aluminum-free. They do, however, contain alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) which may make you more prone to sunburn. If you use them on an area exposed to sunlight, be sure to lather on sunscreen after.
Lume wipes, an extremely popular option on Amazon, are aluminum-free, vegan, cruelty-free, and hypoallergenic. They’re cucumber scented, so they feature artificial scents, and they similarly contain AHA, so be sure to use sunscreen on any exposed areas.
How long do deodorant wipes last?
Deodorant wipes tend to last 24 hours. Both Mando and Lume wipes claim to provide 24-hour odor protection, but it’s a good idea to reapply any time you start to smell a little worse than you’d like.
Popular deodorant wipes, like Mando and Lume, are easy to fit in just about any bag – Photo courtesy of Mando / Lume
How much do deodorant wipes cost?
Deodorant wipes are, thankfully, cost-effective options for travel. A 15-pack of wipes from Mando only costs $8, a small price to pay if you’re looking to stay fresh during a multi-day festival or long hike. Lume wipes are also affordable: $16 for three 15-count packs of wipes.
Do deodorant wipes actually work?
Deodorant wipes are an effective way to eliminate body odor if you’re unable to shower. They’re a great, quick, and cheap option if you’re on the go, especially if you need to shove them in an already jam-packed bag. We recommend starting with a small pack, trying a wipe at home, then buying more from there.
