ALL ABOUT NATURAL DEODORANTS

Have you always wondered what the difference is between a classic deodorant and a natural deodorant? How to make the transition or what causes the sweating?

We explain everything in this article by our chemist, Clémence

What is the difference between antiperspirant and deodorant?

An antiperspirant, as its name indicates, will prevent the user from sweating while a deodorant will remove or mask the bad smell. 

Do we need to sweat?

Yes, and for several reasons:

• Thermoregulation: This physiological phenomenon allows the body to maintain a temperature of 37°C through water loss. When the hypothalamus detects the increase in temperature of the blood liquid, it activates the sympathetic system which relays the information to the sweat glands responsible for perspiration or sweating. The blood that passes through the blood vessels closest to the skin will therefore cool down during the evaporation of sweat and cause a drop in body temperature. 

• Perspiration has an elimination and protection function. Indeed, it allows the elimination of toxins and metabolic waste retained in the pores and forms a hydrolipidic film that hydrates the skin and ensures an immunological role.

We can note that anxiety or strong emotions; the consumption of certain foods such as chili, alcohol, tea, coffee; hormonal disturbances with menopause or adolescence; the taking of certain medications or certain diseases such as obesity, hyperthyroidism, diabetes can influence our sweating.

Finally, we have different types of sweat glands: eccrine and apocrine. The latter are associated with hair follicles, i.e. they are mainly located in the armpits, the groin and around the nipples, whereas the eccrine sweat glands are located all over the body.

The eccrine sweat glands secrete sweat useful for thermoregulation, whereas the apocrine sweat glands respond mainly to psychic stimuli and sexual arousal (this is why they are only activated after puberty and atrophy in the elderly). Concerning perspiration in the armpits, it can be considered as less necessary (although we have eccrine sweat glands also at this level and it is impossible to particularize the action of deodorant/antiperspirant and to differentiate their action towards the eccrine/apocrine glands) but this remains to be judged by each person, especially since the chemical elements allowing to limit this physiological phenomenon are very controversial.  

What causes the smell associated with sweating?

The secretion of odorous sweat can be due to the elimination of malodorous compounds after ingestion (garlic, onions) but most often it is the degradation of organic matter contained in apocrine sweat by the micro-organisms of the skin flora that gives rise to body odor. Indeed, the bacteria of the skin flora degrade these compounds into malodorous short fatty acids such as: caprylic, capric and valerianic acids, 3-methyl-2-hexanoic acid, 2-methyl hexanoic, 2-methyl decanoic, 4-ethyl pentanoic and 4-ethyl undecanoic acids. Cholesterol, DHA sulfate and androstenone are converted to odoriferous steroids such as isovaleric acid and 5 alpha-androstenone, giving off a urine-like and musk-like odor, respectively. In addition, it has been shown that the apocrine glands may be a pathway for the excretion of terpenes to enhance these odors.

What can you expect when switching from an antiperspirant to a natural deodorant (wetness, smell, length of this transition period, etc.)?

When you switch from an antiperspirant to a natural deodorant, you may be surprised. Indeed, during this transition our body must get used to perspiring again (and the user too). The armpits will "detoxify" during a period specific to each one (2 weeks to a month) and will release the accumulated toxins. Thus, the user may have a stronger body odor than usual but this will be regulated.  

What can we do to ease this transition and resist the urge to go back to our antiperspirant (wearing natural fibers, taking hot baths, etc.)?

During this transition period, it is advisable to

• to have a good body hygiene (correctly wash the armpits).

• Exfoliate your underarms once a week to remove excess dead skin cells. 

• to do it outside the summer, i.e. in a cooler and less humid season.

• Wear natural fibers (cotton, linen, bamboo) rather than synthetic fabrics that absorb sweat poorly and promote the proliferation of bacteria. 

• Drink plenty of water as it helps eliminate toxins and hydrate your body as it sweats again. 

• Apply deodorant several times if necessary (2 to 3 times a day)

Can we expect the same thing when we switch from a regular deodorant to a natural deodorant?

It all depends on the formulation of the deodorant! Indeed, some deodorants will rely on antiseptics to fight against bacteria itself and others on odorant molecules to mask the bad smell. Natural deodorants often contain essential oils (which is the case of our products) with bactericidal properties, there will not necessarily be a significant difference between a regular deodorant and a natural deodorant. It will really depend on the deodorant used before and after. 

What are the ingredients to look for in a natural deodorant (baking soda, magnesium, pre/probiotics, etc.)?

In a natural deodorant, you can look for the following ingredients:

• antiseptic essential oils (lavender, citrus, geranium...). They will sometimes be noted under their full names in INCI but sometimes under the name of perfume. However, being an active ingredient in the deodorant, they will probably be highlighted (as in our deodorants).  

• Absorbent powders (corn starch, amaranth, clay, talc, magnesium oxide, etc.). Their INCI will appear in the list of ingredients. These powders will contribute to limit the phenomenon of wetness, sticky and unpleasant of the perspiration which they will absorb. They will increase the soft and pleasant touch of the product during the application. 

• Baking soda. It has antibacterial and astringent properties. 

Why are some of these ingredients irritating to the underarms and what can be done to reduce the discomfort?

Some of these products can indeed be irritating:

• Essential oils contain molecules that can be allergenic (noted in the INCI above a certain threshold), it should be tested beforehand. 

• Baking soda, if not properly dosed in the product, can be too abrasive and aggressive for the skin. This discomfort can be reduced by finding a deodorant that is better suited to your skin or by limiting the use of deodorant. Discover our deodorant for sensitive skin

Discover the Cocooning Love range of natural deodorants