The Smelly Saga

 

Feeling fresh all day shouldn’t be Complicated. But, finding the best deodorant/anti-perspirant for smelly armpits and strong body odor isn’t always easy. Have you ever tried switching to natural deodorant only to give up because the formula left you smelling unpleasant? (Guilty.) That happens because the funk-fighting stuff in traditional antiperspirants (aluminum-based) work to temporarily cork the sweat duct, stopping sweat from hitting the surface of the skin. A trick that some botanical-based deodorants just can't seem to pull off. And, you’ve probably heard the rumors that certain chemicals in deodorants & antiperspirants could lead to breast cancer, kidney diseases or allergies. But, is it Truth or Speculation?

The key differences between Deodorant and Antiperspirant:

• Deodorant controls the odor associated with sweating, but antiperspirant blocks your sweat glands. 
• Use Deodorant if you want to smell fresh and limit odor. 
• Use an Antiperspirant if you want to reduce underarm wetness and excessive sweat. 

Current Stash

Deodorant does not stop sweating the way an antiperspirant can, but it does work to control odor associated with sweating. "Sweat doesn't actually have an odor," says Kiran Mian, DO, a dermatologist in New York. "Body odor comes from a byproduct of sweat as bacteria break it down." Deodorants are typically alcohol-based and work by creating a more acidic environment on your skin, which decreases the bacteria that leads to odor.

I'm a Do it Yourselfer/Handy Woman and do many outside projects so, I sweat plenty.  Just last month I pressure cleaned the storm shutters at Mom's house, re-painted my front door & decorated her large mango tree for the holidays. All in 80+ degree sunny days. The sweat factor was high and my deodorants had to work hard. Back in 2020, I was on an Armpit Detox kick and tried all the Detox DIY formulas I could find. I was so determined to get rid of Aluminum based deodorants, that I spent a small fortune on new to me Natural deodorants. Only to find out, that my armpits really need the aluminum based stuff. 

What does an Armpit Detox do?

First, an armpit detox isn’t so much an actual detox, but a deep cleansing treatment. While there are a lot of claims surrounding the benefits of armpit detoxing, many are unsubstantiated. When you switch your deodorant, your body needs time to adjust to the ingredients. It can affect the amount and type of bacteria you’ll find under your arms, so you may notice a stronger body odor at first. Many who transition from aluminum deodorant to a natural deodorant turn to a detox to help with the shift, claiming it can help natural deodorant work better. 

Fans of armpit detoxes claim that the treatments extract toxins through the sweat glands found in your underarms. Therefore, your pits will be healthier and smell better. But not so fast, says Dermatologist Amy Kassouf, MD. .“There are no scientifically proven reasons to do a detox. And, remember that your liver and kidney are designed to remove harmful chemicals and that your sweat, urine and bowel movements also eliminate any toxins".

For months I used a different deodorant every 14 days to test the efficacy. Many of those in my stash worked temporarily except Lume, it was a waste of money!  Do you remember, not long ago it was said that Spray deodorants were bad for the environment? Well, my new deodorant is the Secret weightless Dry Spray. Spray deodorants used to possess a bad reputation because they contained chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that contributed to the destruction of the ozone layer. Since then, aerosol formulations have changed and the White peach & Wild Rose are my favorite scents.  After years of trials and tribulations. Scrubs, Charcoal, Vinegar, Acids and such. I found out that all the health questions I had against Antiperspirants was just that, QUESTIONS!

** Thanks for Visiting! This post is F Y E. I'm not a Medical/Fashion Consultant, and NOT giving any advice here!   If you like this post, please comment & Email it to others.  Don’t forget to follow me on Bloglovin, and Pinterest Or get the latest posts via Email.**