Summer is the time of high temperatures and heat when we sweat much more, and the need for deodorants and antiperspirants is increased. What exactly is the difference between them and how to choose the one that suits us best?
Deodorants usually contain antimicrobial agents that prevent unpleasant body odour, but don’t stop sweating. In addition to removing unpleasant odours, antiperspirants close the pores of the armpits with aluminium salts and thus prevent the body’s ability to sweat. At first this seems very practical, because who wouldn’t want to stop sweating and having unpleasant stains on their clothes.
However, our body sweats for a reason – it is a natural cooling mechanism. More importantly, the body detoxifies by sweating and eliminates various toxins, heavy metals and other harmful substances. The large number of lymph nodes and sweat glands that are located in the armpit shows just how important they are. The biggest problem with sweating is an unpleasant odour, but sweat itself doesn’t have a strong odour. It occurs when bacteria on the skin breaks down sweat, and moisture and heat are the perfect environment for that.
Aluminium – a threat to health
Antiperspirants commonly contain some form of aluminium, such as aluminium chlorohydrate. Aluminum is a heavy metal and neurotoxin that enters the body and bloodstream through the skin. Studies have shown that aluminium from antiperspirants can mimic estrogen, be absorbed and deposited in breast tissue, thus increasing the risk of breast cancer and other health problems in women and men. Although antiperspirants are not the only ones that contain aluminium, they are its main source because most people use them on a daily basis.
Conventional ingredients
In addition to aluminium, the most common chemical ingredients found in conventional deodorants and antiperspirants are parabens, phthalates, triclosan, propylene glycol and others. Research has linked these ingredients to several health problems, including hormonal imbalances and an increased risk of breast and skin cancer.
Can antiperspirants make the smell worse?
Several studies suggest that the use of antiperspirants can worsen sweating and unpleasant odours. Namely, substances such as aluminium kill off protective bacteria on the armpits, while the number of actinobacteria – the species responsible for the unpleasant odour of the armpits, is increasing. The reason why sweat has such a pronounced odour is because bacteria breaks down lipids and amino acids found in sweat into substances that have an unpleasant odour. By stopping use of antiperspirants, the number of actinobacteria over time becomes almost non-existent. Therefore, when buying deodorant, make sure that it doesn’t contain aluminium, parabens, phthalates, propylene, glycol, triclosan…
Natural deodorants
A healthy alternative exists and is very effective. Today on the market there is a growing number of excellent natural deodorants. They don’t close skin pores, do not contain harmful chemicals and work equally if not better than commercial products.
Natural deodorants contain basic minerals that neutralize the acidity of sweat and thus stop the growth of bacteria that causes unpleasant odours.
Essential oils and plant extracts further contribute to the effectiveness due to their antibacterial action.
Deodorants from the Immortella collection naturally absorb moisture, neutralize odours, provide all-day protection and leave a clean and pleasant feeling on the skin.
