RResidents in Japan

Antiperspirants non existent in Japan? Alternative recommendations?

  • May 12, 2023

So Ive just run out of Lynx antiperspirant after having moved to Japan 3 months ago. Apparently antipersiprants are sanctioned in Japan. I don’t know how true that is I haven’t really looked it up properly other than a quick glance, but does anyone have any recommendations for what they use as an antiperspirant/deodorant in Japan? Especially during summer and humid days.

45 comments

  2. Your in luck – they sell Lynx here too as Axe. It has the same godawful high school locker room scent but with added anime collaboration art, knock yourself out!

  3. I know some people recommend iherb. I bought my previous order on Amazon JP, but it took a few weeks since it was from the US.

  4. Iherb may be your best bet if you want something similar.

    For locally available options I’ve tried Soft Stone W, and currently use 8×4 odorless. Softstone was nicer but is just a bit expensive. 8×4 and soap scented body wipes get me through summer. While not as strong as western available options benefit is my armpits don’t turn my undershirts blue from the aluminum antiperspirant anymore.

  5. “Secret – Clinical Strength” from Amazon works well and is not too perfumed.

  7. Japanese deos don’t work for me, either. I usually buy “Speed Stick” from either Amazon.co.jp or Amazon.com, wherever they’re cheaper.

  9. I gave up and use the salt thing. They last for ages and no more stains in my undershirts or white t-shirts

  11. It still has to prove itself in the summer, but I use unscented Rexena from Amazon. I’d also like to try Nuud once i run out of my stock. I’ve heard the components are really good/safe for health, and you only have to apply it once in a few days

  13. I get Mitchum from Amazon. It’s scentless and does better than Old spice ever did for me. And it doesn’t seem to stain clothes as badly

  15. I’ve been using Lush’s bar version of deodorant since 2018. But in Japan they stopped selling the bar version. I used the powder version instead and works great! Lasts a year or so. Messy -yes but I’m not stinky so that’s a plus!

  17. Ban sweat block is what I usually use. Still drenched if I use it right before going out, works better if I apply at the night before.

    But either way I cant smell the potent smell from my armpit so I’m happy enough.

  18. I use a roller instead of a spray because it seems less fragrant, and therefore less annoying to the general Japanese populace, but you should be able to get just about anything off Amazon JP. Most big western brands of everyday necessities are available, although sometimes rebranded. It’s just that people either don’t need or like them as much, so you don’t see them in small stores.

  20. I use old spice sent from the states by my family.

    However, looking at Rakuten I saw they have it surprisingly cheap.

    A quick google search lets me know that counterfeit deodorant is a thing. Never would of guessed.

  21. I didn’t even know there’s a difference between anti-persiprants and deodorants until this thread, but they do exist in JPN you just have to check the drug stores, I love the unscented ones because it doesn’t get in the way of actual perfumes.

  22. There’s tons. You can find it in any drugstore/pharmacy. They come in liquid form mostly or throw away body wipes. You can try them out as most have samples for you to try.

  26. I’m a dude, but even I can’t resist the pungent teenage aroma of Lynx-man 😍

  27. iherb.com or .jp ships to Japan for cheap (or free is you spend enough) and has things like deodorant and vitamins that I could easily get back home but not as much here in Japan. Try it out.

  28. I got a 5 pack of old spice off of amazon.jp a few years back. Check it out.

  31. I had to give up on all the local deodorants as they all gave me a rash after a couple of days. The best of them was Soft Stone by Deonatulle, but in the end I had to stop using that too. These days I get Lavilin from Amazon. A bit pricey, but non-scented, aluminium free, no allergic reaction and one application works for several days.

  32. The other thing that works well in concert is to reduce your armpit hair. I don’t shave it: clip it short. Never needed to in Canada, but Japanese summer be unreal.

  33. Buy some “Degree” antipersperant/deoderant from amazon so you can control your odor and sweat without smelling like a 14 y/o teenager.

    Plus “Degree” works better

  34. Amazon, has everything. I buy old spice fiji antiperspirant from there, or sometimes just regular deo.

  35. Mitchum is an absolute life saver, you can buy it on Amazon but make sure to get the roll on one as I’ve found that’s the strongest.

  37. I used to order it from Amazon. It’s imported and pretty pricey but it works.

  38. Go online. Nothing good here. Mennen speed stick. 6pack 3800円ish. Get ocean surf. Better than original.

  39. Amazon.com and/or eBay.com, or the versions of them in your country of origin. You’ll find exactly what you are looking for. After 30 years here antiperspirant and toothpaste are the only two things I still source overseas, Japan doesn’t do either very well, IMO.

  40. I buy Antiperspirants in kusuri ya san as o sweat a lot even in winter. They work flawless.
    Some times I also get them from Amazon. I don’t think they are banned at all, people just done use it that much

  41. Of course they exist. All drug stores chains have a small corner with a decent variety of antiperspirant/deodorants.
    Normally on some months I don’t need any deodorant but when it gets warmer while doing a blue collar job on an place without air conditioning my most effective and favorite are:

    * GATSBY Premium Type ( unescented and citrus types, roll on applicator )
    * 8×4 Men (ディープシトラス deep citrus, roll on)
    * Soft Stone Double for Men (ソフトストーンＷ, this version for men is the light blue container that has a big M in the middle. Mint essence, stick type)
    * Ag+ is also good but I haven’t used it on many years.

    I’ve noticed that the first three have isopropyl methylphenol as main ingredient, and the ones that weren’t as effective didn’t have it. Maybe looking for isopropyl methylphenolイソプロピルメチルフェノール on the ingredients list would do the trick.

    By the way, I know that it’s a matter of personal tastes but just a bit of unrequired advice: Drop the Lynx. Mixed with the body or armpit sweat most of those kind of fragrances smell terrible on the hot humid Japanese summer. I’ve crossed paths with a few foreigners strongly attached to their perfumes/deodorant habits back home and, oh my goodness, they just don’t work here (or maybe they never worked for them but they didn’t know). That’s why most deodorant/antiperspirant for the Japanese market are unescented or subtle citrus, mint or marine fragrances and they work fine. Give them a try.

  42. I buy Secret on Rakuten. I ran out once during the summer and tried to make do with various Japanese products and NOPE

  45. Daikanyama T-site has or had a pop-up in first building where they were selling old spice as well as Tide. Last saw it 2 weeks ago.

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