Sense and nonsense about deodorant

1. With a deodorant you can cover up unpleasant sweat odors, but then you have to do it right. In addition, there are a lot of choices. What do you choose? Can you prevent stains in your clothes? And what about deodorant and breast cancer?

2. With a deodorant you can cover up unpleasant sweat odors, but then you have to do it right. There are also a lot of choices. What do you choose? Can you prevent stains in your clothes? And what about deodorant and breast cancer?

1. There is plenty of choice in products that help you to combat perspiration and especially its odor. If you perspire normally, a deodorant is usually sufficient. A deodorant tackles the bacteria that break down the apocrine sweat. In addition, a perfume has been added to most deos to mask the sweat smell. However, deodorant does not stop sweating. If you sweat more, you better opt for an antiperspirant. It usually contains aluminum zirconium salts. These salts inhibit the production of perspiration. This keeps you drier and you have less perspiration odor. Some antiperspirants have a very high concentration of active substances, so you only need to apply them once every few days.

Good for the skin

1. Deodorant can cause severe irritation. The skin can become itchy and a red rash and even pain can develop. Dry skin can also be the result of deodorant. The more sensitive the skin, the more important it is to choose a good deodorant. Special deos are available for sensitive skin. What helps you? That is a matter of trying. If one deodorant is going to be irritating, you should choose another. Products with more than 15 percent aluminum salt and products containing alcohol, in particular, cause irritation. The potential for irritation is greater with products containing aluminum chloride than with deodorants containing aluminum hydrochloride. You can reduce the risk of irritation by drying the skin thoroughly before use.

2. Deodorant can cause severe irritation. The skin can become itchy and a red rash and even pain can develop. Dry skin can also be the result of deodorant. The more sensitive the skin, the more important it is to choose a good deodorant. Special deos are available for sensitive skin. What helps you? That is a matter of trying. If one deo is going to be irritating, you have to choose another. Products with more than 15 percent aluminum salt and products containing alcohol, in particular, cause irritation. The risk of irritation is greater with products containing aluminum chloride than with deodorants containing aluminum hydrochloride. You can reduce the risk of irritation by drying the skin thoroughly before use.

Spray or roll?

1. The choice of a spray or roller is personal. The advantage of a spray is that the packaging does not come into contact with the skin. A spray is also more practical and faster to use. However, most people are better off a roller than a spray can. A roller is much kinder to sensitive skin. In addition, a roller is more environmentally friendly because of the propellants in a spray.

2. The choice of a spray or roller is personal. The advantage of a spray is that the packaging does not come into contact with the skin. A spray is also more practical and faster to use. However, most people are better off a roller than a spray can. A roller is much kinder to sensitive skin. In addition, a roller is more environmentally friendly, because of the propellants in a spray.

Multi-day use

1. An antiperspirant or deodorant often has a nice scent. Still, it makes no sense to roll or spray several times a day. For the best effect, you should always apply a deodorant to clean skin. Also during exercise it makes no sense to provide extra freshness. Always apply the deodorant before you start. If you already sweat, the deodorant is sabotaged by the moisture already present on the skin. In addition, not all dermatologists are equally enthusiastic about the daily use of an antiperspirant. These continuously block the sweat glands. It is therefore advisable to give your armpits a day off now and then.

Yellow spots

1. Sweating will eventually discolour your clothing under the armpits. The salt in the sweat and the action of all kinds of skin bacteria, possibly in combination with a deodorant, cause all kinds of chemical reactions that can affect the clothing. Antiperspirant salts in particular cause stains. So always let your deodorant dry well before getting dressed. Deodorants are also sold that do not stain clothing.

And breast cancer?

1. It is sometimes said that deodorants or antiperspirants increase the risk of breast cancer. According to scientists, the studies that state this have not been properly conducted. Most studies in this area show that there is no connection. KWF Kankerbestrijd also states that deodorants and antiperspirants can be used safely.

Ingredients

1. On the packaging of an antiperspirant or deodorant you will often see all kinds of unpronounceable or technical names for ingredients. These are the main ones: Perfume and fragrances (mask body odor and feel fresh). Oil (soothe and soften skin). For example glycerine or vegetable oil such as Helianthus Annuus (sunflower oil). Alcohol (dries quickly and cools). Silica (absorbing oily sweat on the skin). PEG-8 distearate (makes it easy to wash off the product). Salts (reduce sweat secretion). For example aluminum chlorohydrate (in deodorant) or aluminum zirconium tetracholohydrex gly (in antiperspirant). Propellant (required for aerosol cans). For example butane, isobutane and propane. Carriers (fluidity, spreading over the skin). For example water, cyclomethicone and disteardimonium hectorite. Structuring agents (keeping ingredients together). For example castor oil, 18-36 triglyceric acid, stearate and stearyl alcohol.