For best practical results, apply the cream to clean, dry feet before putting on socks and shoes. This matters because the product is meant to help reduce sweat reaching the skin surface and limit odor-forming bacteria; applying it over damp or unclean skin makes it harder to get an even layer and may reduce the fresh feeling you are aiming for.
Use a thin, even layer on areas that usually become sweaty or develop odor, such as the soles and between areas that rub inside shoes, while avoiding broken or irritated skin. Let the cream absorb or settle before putting on socks so it does not transfer excessively and so the feet do not feel slippery in footwear. If you are using it before sports, commuting, travel, or a long work shift, allow a little time between application and wearing tight shoes.
It works best alongside simple habits: wear clean socks, change socks after heavy sweating when possible, and air out shoes between wears. In non-breathable footwear, moisture builds up more easily, so the combination of the cream, dry socks, and shoe rotation can be more helpful than relying on fragrance alone. If your feet are freshly shaved, cracked, very dry, or irritated, apply cautiously or wait, as deodorizing ingredients and fragrance components can sting on compromised skin.