How to apply deodorant balm from a tin (and how much to use)

Why does a balm go on differently to a stick?

A balm is softened by your body heat, so it needs a few seconds of warming before it spreads. A stick doesn't.

Think of a tin of balm as a little skincare step. It's made from butters, oils, wax and powders that sit firm in the tin and melt with the warmth of your hands.

Ours are built on shea butter, coconut oil, cold pressed sunflower oil (high oleic), beeswax and vitamin E oil, with arrowroot powder, kaolin clay and sodium bicarbonate. Coconut oil starts to melt at around 24 to 26°C, and shea butter softens in the low to mid 30s (EMI Agro). Your skin runs warmer than the room. That's why a firm scoop turns silky in seconds.

Every ingredient is listed on each product page, like Wild Awake. No secret blends.

How do you apply deodorant balm, step by step?

Clean, dry skin, a pea-sized scoop, a few seconds of warmth, small circles, then a minute to settle. Here it is in full:

1. Start clean and dry. Straight after a shower is perfect, once you've towelled off properly. Balm is oil-based, and oil and water don't mix, so damp skin makes it drag and spread unevenly (Chagrin Valley).
2. Scoop a pea-sized amount. Use clean, dry fingertips or the bamboo applicator. That's what our label says: a small pea-sized amount for each armpit.
3. Warm it. Press and rub it between your fingertips for a few seconds. On a cold Freshwater morning this matters more than it does in January.
4. Smooth it on. Massage it in with small circles until it disappears. Still seeing a white patch? Spread it further rather than adding more.
5. Let it settle. Give it about a minute before you pull on a shirt, especially dark or fitted fabrics. It sinks in instead of transferring (Atom Fresh).
6. Close the lid. Pop it straight back on to keep the balm clean and away from water.

How much deodorant balm should you use?

Less than you think: a pea-sized amount per underarm. A heavier layer doesn't work harder.

Balm makers say it again and again: a little goes a long way (Atelier Populaire). You've probably used too much if:

• it still feels tacky after a couple of minutes
• you can see a white film on your skin
• it's marking your clothes

Any of those sound familiar? Halve it next time. Finding your amount can take a few days, because underarms differ and so do days. If you're coming from a spray or a stick, give yourself a few mornings to get the feel of it (Procoal).

Start small. You can always add a touch more.

Should you use your fingertips or a bamboo applicator?

Both work. Fingertips warm the balm fastest, which is why our label suggests them first.

The applicator is for you if you'd rather keep balm out from under your nails, or you share a tin at home. Scoop with it, then warm the balm on your fingertips or straight on your skin. Rinse the applicator after use and let it dry fully before it goes back near the tin. Never dip a wet applicator into the balm.

What if the balm is too firm or too soft?

Too firm means it's cold, so warm it a little longer. Too soft means it's warm, so cool it down. A natural balm moves with the weather. That's normal, not a fault.

Too firm (winter). Hold the scoop on your fingertips a little longer, or rest it against your skin for a few seconds before you spread it. Keep the tin in the bathroom, not on a cold window sill.

Too soft (summer). Our label says to store it below 25°C in a dry place. On a hot Sydney day, a tin left in the car or in direct sun can soften or even turn liquid, because coconut oil melts at about room temperature. Move it somewhere cool, or give it a short spell in the fridge until it firms up. Then use a slightly smaller amount, because soft balm spreads further.

When should you reapply during the day?

On big days: a long shift, a gym session, a hot afternoon at the beach. That's straight from our directions.

For the best feel, wipe or rinse your underarm and pat it dry first, then use a fresh pea-sized amount. Piling new balm onto old mostly adds product, not freshness.

What should you know before your first use?

Patch test first, give freshly shaved skin a break, and stop if it doesn't feel right.

Which balm should you pick?

All three go on exactly the same way. The only difference is the mood you're in.

• Lemongrass Lift: bright lemongrass, softened with tea tree, cedarwood and lavender.
• Wild Awake: cool peppermint, eucalyptus and tea tree.
• Classic Botanic: lavender, rosemary and cedarwood. Calm and grounded.

Can't choose? The Mood Sampler Bundle has a sample tin of each, a full-size Underarm Clay Mask and a bamboo applicator. Or browse all the deodorant balms and bundles and sets.

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