How to Use Deodorant to Prevent Blisters on Your Heels
I have a pair of tan ankle boots I love way more than they deserve, considering what they do to my heels.
Every fall it's the same story. I wear them for one afternoon of errands, and by the time I get home there's a raw red patch on the back of each heel.
Then a friend who walks half-marathons told me what she does before every race. She rubs antiperspirant deodorant on her feet. I laughed. Then I tried it, and the boots and I are back on speaking terms.
It's a trick that's been passed around style blogs and TikTok for years. It won't work miracles for everyone, but it takes about 30 seconds, and you almost certainly already have what you need sitting next to your toothbrush.
Tools and Materials:
- • A clear solid stick deodorant or antiperspirant (antiperspirant if your feet tend to sweat; clear formulas won't leave white marks inside your shoes)
- • Clean, completely dry feet
- • The shoes that usually give you trouble
- • Blister bandages or moleskin (optional, as backup for long days)
Upstyle may receive a small affiliate commission from purchases made via Amazon links in this article but at no cost to you.
1. Start with clean, dry feet
Wash your feet and dry them completely, including between your toes. The stick glides on smoother and stays put better on dry skin.
2. Find your hot spots
Think about where your shoes usually rub. For most people that's the back of the heel, right where the top edge of the shoe sits. The sides of the heel and the outside of the pinky toe are common trouble spots too.
Not sure? Slip the shoes on for a minute and pay attention to where they press.
3. Swipe on a thin layer
Glide the stick directly over each hot spot, two or three strokes. You want a thin, even coat. Too much product tends to ball up and feel gritty inside your sock.
4. Let it dry, then put your shoes on
Give it a minute or two before socks or shoes go on. Pull them on right away and you'll just wipe the layer off.
5. Tuck a travel stick in your bag
The layer wears off as you walk, so a mini stick makes midday touch-ups easy. Reapply the moment a heel starts feeling warm, because that heat is the early warning sign before a blister forms.
Why people swear by it
Blisters come from friction, and sweat makes friction worse. Damp skin grips the inside of your shoe instead of sliding past it, so every step tugs at the same spot until the top layer of skin gives way.
A swipe of stick deodorant helps in two ways. The waxy layer adds a little slip, so the shoe glides over your heel instead of dragging on it. And if it's an antiperspirant, it also cuts down on sweat.
Extra tips for even better results
- Sweaty feet? Try antiperspirant at bedtime too. Plain deodorant only handles odor, so for sweat control you want the word "antiperspirant" on the label. It tends to work best applied to dry feet at night.
- Watch for irritation. Feet can react to antiperspirant. Try it on a small area first, and if your skin gets itchy or red, use it less often or stop.
- Skip broken skin. Never put it on an existing blister, a cut or cracked heels. It will sting, and it won't help.
- Pair it with the right socks. Moisture-wicking socks (think synthetic blends or merino wool) keep things dry from the other side. Cotton holds sweat against your skin.
- Know when to upgrade. If deodorant isn't cutting it, an anti-blister balm or clear heel patches do the same job with more staying power.
It won't fix a bad fit. If a pair gives you blisters every single time, the shoe may simply be too loose or too tight in the heel.
Give it a try before your next long day on your feet and see if your heels notice the difference. And if you do try it, I'd love to hear how it worked for you!
The author may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page.
Comments
Join the conversation