Secret Clinical Strength Vs. Secret Platinum Protection

When it comes to women's deodorant, Secret has a variety of scents and types to choose from. I'm always in search of a better deodorant in terms of something that will actually be invisible and not rub off on clothing, as well as keep me dry through vigorous activities in arid heat. Here are my findings when comparing Secret Platinum Protection with their new Clinical Strength deodorant.

The Formulas

Secret Clinical Strength is a new formula that provides extra protection from wetness and odor. The 'claim' of this product calls to women who don't just sweat like 'regular' women, but sweat more than average. Secret Platinum Protection deodorant is similar in that it is usually purchased by women who want something more than the flimsy chalk that passes off as stick deodorant. Both the Clinical Strength and Platinum Protection from Secret come in a gel. Platinum Protection is clear and Clinical Strength is white, but both are a gel in the way they smooth on.

How they work

Secret Platinum Protection works like a regular gel deodorant. You 'click' the product up a few clicks so that the clear gel comes up in a series of waves (slots at the top of the deodorant stick); you apply this deodorant in the morning or after a shower and expect it to last most of the day without reapplication. The Clinical Strength variety works the same in how it is dispensed, however, it is much different in how you use it; instead of applying it in the morning at the start of your day, you are instructed to apply Secret Clinical Strength before going to bed. Apparently, applying it at night causes it to work better, though you can reapply in the morning if you would like as well.

Put to the Test

Secret Clinical Strength Pros:

Secret Clinical Strength holds up to the test of time, wetness protection, and odor control when used according to directions. I applied it at night and found that it worked all night as well as throughout the next day without reapplication in the morning. The white gel solid goes on smooth and immediately turns clear. It is invisible and doesn't rub off on clothing like regular solids do.

Secret Clinical Strength Cons:

Although it works very effectively to keep the arm pit dry, if you sweat in other parts of your arm (in the area around where your bra sits) your clothing around your arm pit will still get wet. This isn't really a con, however, as it isn't supposed to work for other areas of the body. The only thing I found irritating about the product was the smell. It isn't a bad smell, but it is too strong. The first few days I used it I woke up with a headache from the strength of the scent. I would assume that once you get used to it this will also not be a problem with the product.

Secret Platinum Protection Pros:

On the other hand, Secret Platinum Protection is a clear gel that goes on clear. I found that it works all day long even when working in the hot summer sun. I never had to reapply it during the day and it maintained its clean scent.

Secret Platinum Protection Cons:

The main problem I found with this product was that it rubs off on clothing and doesn't ever really dry in your armpit. For a product that is supposed to keep you dry, it doesn't even dry out until you are already sweating. I always felt like I was dripping wet while wearing it. The way it stains your clothing doesn't do you any favors, either. I found that it would rub off on my clothing and then almost bleach it when it was washed; the gel consistency of the product makes it hard to see on your clothing and hard to get off.

Overall

Though both of these products protects against odor, Secret Clinical Strength outshines the Platinum version in most respects. I would recommend the Platinum Protection type for those that wear sleeveless shirts or tank tops, where the deodorant will not touch a sleeve (thus avoiding the problem of it staining clothing) and still protects against odor all day. Clinical Strength is twice as much in price (compare $3-4 to $8 depending on where you go), but it's also twice as potent from controlling wetness as well as odor.