ALL ABOUT NATURAL DEODORANTS

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a classic deodorant and a natural deodorant? How to make the switch, or what causes perspiration?

Our chemist, Clémence, explains it all in this article.

What is the difference between an antiperspirant and a deodorant?

As its name suggests, an antiperspirant prevents the user from sweating, while a deodorant removes or masks bad odor.

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 an increase in blood fluid temperature, it activates the sympathetic system, which relays the information to the sweat glands responsible for perspiration or sweating. The blood flowing through the blood vessels closest to the skin will then cool down as the sweat evaporates, leading to a decrease in body temperature.

• Sweating has an elimination and protection function. Indeed, it helps eliminate toxins and metabolic waste retained in the pores and forms a hydrolipidic film that hydrates the skin and plays an immunological role.

It can be noted 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 perspiration.

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

Eccrine sweat glands secrete sweat useful for thermoregulation, while apocrine sweat glands mainly respond to psychological stimuli and sexual arousal (which is why they only become active at puberty and atrophy in elderly subjects.) Regarding underarm perspiration, it can therefore be considered less necessary (although we also have eccrine sweat glands at this level and it is impossible to particularize the action of deodorant/antiperspirant and differentiate their action with respect to eccrine/apocrine glands) but this remains at everyone's discretion, especially since the chemical elements that limit this physiological phenomenon are very controversial.

What causes the odor associated with perspiration?

The secretions of odorous sweat can be due to the elimination of malodorous compounds after ingestion (garlic, onions), but more often it is the degradation of organic matter contained in apocrine sweat by microorganisms of the skin flora that gives rise to body odor. Indeed, bacteria of the skin flora degrade these compounds into malodorous short-chain 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 transformed into odorous steroids such as isovaleric acid and 5 alpha-androstenone, emitting a urine and musk odor respectively. Moreover, it has been shown that apocrine glands can be an excretion pathway for terpenes, contributing to enhancing these odors.

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

When switching from an antiperspirant to a natural deodorant, one might be surprised. Indeed, during this transition, our body must re-learn to sweat (and so must the user). The armpits will "detoxify" over a period unique to each individual (2 weeks to a month) and will release accumulated toxins. Thus, the user might notice a stronger body odor than usual, but this will regulate itself.

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

During this transition period, it is recommended to:

• maintain good personal hygiene (properly wash armpits).

• exfoliate once a week in the armpit area to remove excess dead skin cells.

• make the switch outside of summer, during a cooler and less humid season.

• wear natural fibers (cotton, linen, bamboo) rather than synthetic fabrics, which absorb little sweat and promote bacterial growth.

• drink plenty of water as this promotes toxin elimination and helps hydrate your body as it starts sweating again.

• apply the deodorant multiple times if necessary (2 to 3 times a day).

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

It all depends on the deodorant's formulation! Indeed, some deodorants will rely on antiseptics to fight bacteria, while others will use fragrant molecules to mask bad odors. Natural deodorants often contain essential oils (which is the case with our products) that have bactericidal properties, so there won't necessarily be a noticeable difference between a regular deodorant and a natural deodorant. It will truly depend on the deodorant used before and after.

What ingredients should you 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, etc.). They may sometimes be listed under their full INCI names but sometimes under the designation "fragrance." However, as an active ingredient in the deodorant, they will undoubtedly be highlighted (as in our deodorants).

• absorbent powders (corn starch, amaranth, clay, talc, magnesium oxide, etc.). Their INCI will appear in the ingredient list. These powders will help limit the phenomenon of dampness, stickiness, and unpleasantness of perspiration by absorbing it. They will increase the soft and pleasant feel of the product during application.

• baking soda. It has antibacterial and astringent properties.

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

Some of these products can indeed be irritating:

• Essential oils contain molecules that can be allergenic (listed in the INCI above a certain threshold), so it is advisable to do a patch test beforehand.

• Baking soda, if incorrectly dosed in the product, can be too abrasive and aggressive for the skin. This discomfort can be reduced by finding a deodorant better suited to our skin or by limiting the use of the deodorant. Discover our sensitive skin deodorant

Discover Cocooning Love's range of natural deodorants