Choose white Soft Stone W if you want a dry antiperspirant/deodorant stick without added color coverage. Consider green Color Control (CC) if you also want temporary cosmetic coverage for underarm dullness. Both contain the same active ingredients, and the manufacturer describes their odor-control effect and duration as the same. The useful choice is whether you want the pearl-green finish.
I’m Irene, a Taiwan-born pharmacist licensed in Japan and working in a Japanese drugstore. When comparing these white and green containers, I would start with what you want the finish to do, rather than assuming one color means stronger sweat control.
Do you want temporary color coverage?
- No added color coverage: start with white Soft Stone W. Apply it directly to clean, dry underarms; no water is needed.
- A more even-looking underarm area while wearing sleeveless clothing: Color Control adds pearl-green surface coverage. It does not treat pigmentation or remove melanin.
- Avoiding menthol: neither of these two fits that preference. Both ingredient lists include menthol despite the fragrance-free labeling.
This guide compares these two Japan-market dry sticks. Use the exact Japanese names below to identify them on the shelf.
What changes between the two sticks?
Finding the right pack: the images below show the product containers, not their outer retail packaging. Look for ソフトストーンW and 20 g on the white version; the green version should also say カラーコントロール. Promotional stickers or artwork can differ, so check the registered sales names ending in Ｆｅ or Ｆｂ below rather than relying on color alone.
Soft Stone W: the straightforward dry stick
Look for ソフトストーンW; its Japanese registered sales name is ＤＮ薬用スティックＦｅ. It contains 20 g and is made in Japan. Its active ingredients are burnt alum and isopropyl methylphenol. The manufacturer describes a dry, less-sticky feel. That is a manufacturer description, not a hands-on test by me.
It is fragrance-free and labeled alcohol-free, but it does contain menthol. Fragrance-free therefore does not mean menthol-free.
Soft Stone W Color Control: temporary surface coverage
Look for ソフトストーンW カラーコントロール; the registered sales name is ＤＮ薬用ＣスティックＦｂ. It contains 20 g and is made in Japan. It has the same two active ingredients as the white stick. The manufacturer describes the odor-control effect and duration as the same; the added reason to choose it is pearl-green cosmetic coverage, not a higher antiperspirant strength.
That can be relevant if you want a more even-looking underarm area for the day. It is not a skin-whitening treatment or a way to resolve persistent pigment changes. This version also contains menthol. Keep it off clothing, and do not build up thick layers to chase more coverage.
Both use the same application steps
- Twist up about 1 cm. Extending too much can break the stick.
- Apply evenly over clean, dry underarms with 5–6 passes. Wipe away sweat first.
- Wipe away moisture after use and close the cap firmly. These sticks do not need to be wetted.
If a stick becomes hard on the surface, the manufacturer explains that absorbed moisture can be responsible. Its advice is to remove the hard surface with a tissue and keep the product dry, rather than pressing harder against skin. A little product remains in the supporting base; the labeled 20 g excludes that unusable portion, so there is no need to dig it out.
Important skin and storage precautions
- Avoid the face and mucous membranes. Do not apply immediately after hair removal or to skin with an abnormality. The label does not specify a fixed waiting time after hair removal.
- Watch your skin. Stop use and consult a dermatologist if redness, swelling, itching, irritation, loss of pigment/white patches or darkening appears. Do not simply cover a reaction with Color Control and continue.
- Close the sticks firmly and keep them away from direct sun, heat and humidity. Keep both out of infants’ and young children’s reach.
- Keep product off clothing. If it transfers, wash clothing promptly. Applying too much can increase residue and staining; more is not necessarily better.
These are Japanese quasi-drug antiperspirant/deodorant products. This shopping comparison does not diagnose or treat excessive-sweating disorders, infections or pigment disorders. Persistent discomfort or unusual skin changes deserve attention to the cause rather than another layer of coverage.
Questions worth asking before buying
How do I wash it off?
The brand recommends ordinary soap or body wash. If it is difficult to remove, its FAQ suggests applying a cleansing oil or similar cleanser first, then washing. Avoid repeated harsh scrubbing.
Should I buy both and layer them?
There is no need to layer them to obtain their active ingredients. Both contain the same types of actives, and the manufacturer describes the odor-control effect and duration as the same. Choose according to whether you want temporary color coverage. CC is not a stronger-treatment version of the white stick.
Does fragrance-free or alcohol-free mean it is safe for every sensitive skin type?
No. Those descriptions identify absent ingredients, not guaranteed tolerability. Your own skin response and its condition at the time still matter.
Sources
Japan-market information checked on 19 October 2026. Packaging and formulas can change; follow the label on the product you buy.
