DEODORANT – MAKING THE SWITCH

WHY WE SWEAT

Sweating is a natural process critical for helping our hard-working bodies deal with the hot temperatures. As the temperature rises, so does your risk of dehydration and complications from the heat. 

When training, your body warms up and part of the brain sends a signal to the sweat glands to get busy. The evaporation of sweat removes heat from your skin’s surface and helps to cool you off. The hotter you get, the more sweat you produce as your body tries to keep itself at a safe and stable temperature.

 

 

The amount a person sweats depends on how many sweat glands are activated and how much sweat is excreted from each gland. It turns out that fit men sweat significantly more than fit women although women have more sweat glands than men.

Apocrine, a type of sweat gland, is mainly found in the underarm region and is triggered by stress, anxiety and fluctuating hormones. This type of sweat also produces bacteria,. This is the reason why we smell and also why we use deodorant in just our underarms and not our entire bodies. 

 

DEODORANT VS. ANTIPERSPIRANT

Deodorant does what the name suggests – de-odourises, in other words, fights the smelly bacteria and scents the underarm area. Ingredients within deodorants are essentially designed to eliminate or mask the smell caused by the bacteria and for the most part are recognizable.

Antiperspirants on the other hand are designed to prevent our body from producing sweat by blocking sweat from reaching the skin. Aluminum is the active ingredient found in most antiperspirants. Aluminum blocks the pores so that sweat cannot pass through. 

 

WHY SWITCH

Aluminium in antipersirants is a controversial ingredient and in some findings has been linked to breast cancer, seizures, Alzheimer’s disease, and kidney disorders. However, there are more worrisome synthetic ingredients in your daily skin care.

Parabens –  a preservative that mimics estrogen and throws off hormones.

Propylene glycol – used to increase absorption of ingredients, but a known irritant.

Triclosan – kills bacteria and fungus – linked to an increased risk of cancer, allergies and thyroid function.

Synthetic fragrance – a known skin irritant and hormone disruptor. 

Phthalates – used to make products “feel” better but have been found to be a hormone disruptor as well.

 

CHOOSING NATURAL DEODORANT

When first switching to natural deo, you may need to adjust and go through a detox period. That doesn’t apply to everybody though!

Deodorant does not regulate your sweating like antiperspirants. If you’ve been using antiperspirants for a long time, your pores would need to unclog first. Your body will start to function the way it’s naturally intended to – sweat. 

In the beginning constantly wet underarms might feel uncomfortable and for some the smell of sweat tends to be stronger too. Eventually your body will figure out how to regulate itself again. 

To help your body with detox you can try gently exfoliating your pits or use clay masks to draw out toxins. Heavy sweating in sauna or when training without antiperspirant also helps to clean up your pits!

Natural deodorants are formulated to care for your underarms as well as for your whole body holistically. This means that the ingredients are carefully selected and tested to provide maximum efficacy but also nourish and moisturise.

 

HOW TO APPLY NATURAL DEO

You don’t need to apply as much as you would for commercial deodorants as a little goes a long way. Natural deodorants are usually based on oils and butters and may leave a residue on clothes when applied too much. 

Deo that come in the form of paste, is easier to handle – you can scoop out the exact amount and gently spread under your arms like you do with a moisturiser on your face. Make sure you are applying to clean but slightly damp underarms to help it absorb.