antiperspirant

healthy living

Is It Unhealthy to Wear Antiperspirant While Exercising?

Exercising and sweating go hand-in-hand, and since no one wants to be known for their stinky BO, for many gym-goers, gliding on antiperspirant is just like slipping on a sports bra — it's something you just don't forget.

Exercising and sweating go hand-in-hand, and since no one wants to be known for their stinky BO, for many gym-goers, gliding on antiperspirant is just like slipping on a sports bra — it's something you just don't forget. Sweating is a natural process though, and when you're working out, it's your body's way of keeping you cool and preventing heat exhaustion. Some say sweating also releases harmful toxins from your body. So is it bad to wear sweat-stopping antiperspirant to prevent your body from doing what it naturally wants to do?

When you're hot, your body emits moisture from its sweat glands to cool you down. If you wear an antiperspirant, the aluminum used in them penetrates your sweat glands and squeezes them shut, which stops the flow of sweat to the skin's surface in that area. Remember that sweat's only purpose is to cool you off, and since your armpits aren't the only place you have sweat glands, your body can still find a way to lower your body temperature if you get too hot while exercising. So as long as you can wear antiperspirant while working out without overheating, you can feel good about slathering it on to prevent odor. And don't worry about preventing the release of toxins, since only trace amounts of toxins are released from your sweat glands.

Keep reading to find out if the aluminum found in antiperspirants leads to breast cancer.

healthy living

Why I Wear Men's Deodorant

Allow me to preface this piece by saying that I'm not some tree-hugging hippie who doesn't shave her legs.

Allow me to preface this piece by saying that I'm not some tree-hugging hippie who doesn't shave her legs. Confession: I am more eco than not, but when it comes to the products I slather on my body, I am very mindful of what gets absorbed into my body through my skin.

In terms of deodorant selection, it's been an on-going dilemma — do I go the all-natural route and opt for the aluminum-, artificial preservative-, and synthetic-free deodorants that won't mask my stinky after-gym odors? Or do I buy the generic drugstore brand that will keep me sweat-free and smelling like freesia throughout the day?

Here's the thing, it hasn't been proven that antiperspirants cause breast cancer, but I'm still not comfortable with wearing deodorant that blocks my sweat glands and contains aluminum.

Continue reading to see why my medicine cabinet looks like this.

Eco

Now You Can Iron On Your Deodorant

You can iron on just about any decal you want on just about any t-shirt of your choice.

You can iron on just about any decal you want on just about any t-shirt of your choice. And now, you can iron on your own deodorant. Odor Tags (about $18 for six — about $70 for 24) from UK brand Odegon allow you to do just that. One tag measures 7 cm by 4 cm, and can be either ironed or sewn on. The odor-absorbing, nanoporous fabric traps body odor and will last as long as your clothing does.


Constructed of a controlled carbon material and military-grade fiber, the tags are odorless, nonallergenic, and free of chemicals. Not only do they capture the stink, but they also absorb wetness. While you can't wear them with tank tops to beat the heat, they're a clever idea for sleeved garments. Would you wear them?

Eco

Neo Deo: The Rise of Natural Deodorant

Natural deodorants have been around forever, but since antiperspirant came along they've been relegated to the personal care aisle at the hippie grocery co-op nearest you.


Natural deodorants have been around forever, but since antiperspirant came along they've been relegated to the personal care aisle at the hippie grocery co-op nearest you. Now, though, they seem to be gaining back lost ground, with a new wave of effective, beautifully scented, and nicely priced options designed to appeal to those of us who've never driven an old VW bus around the country. Take these cute Mbeze Deodorette sticks ($10), for example. Small enough to put in your pocket and packaged like makeup instead of deodorant, they smell like actual fragrance instead of chemical-y "soft powder" or "spring rain."

We on Team Bella are also big fans of Pit Putty ($10), which uses arrowroot to keep BO bacteria from growing, instead of using scent to mask it, and Lush Aromaco ($7), which utilizes witch hazel and chamomile vinegar to give similar antibacterial properties and a soft scent. There's never been a better time to let you pits go natural, and if you're thinking of making the switch, you definitely won't lack for options.

deodorant

What Do You Know About Deodorant?

Back around the fifth or sixth grade, I distinctively remember our teacher declaring, "We all need to have a talk."

Back around the fifth or sixth grade, I distinctively remember our teacher declaring, "We all need to have a talk." It wasn't the standard chat about monthly cycles or why boys sometimes don't want to leave their desks to go write at the chalkboard. It was a nun's version of personal hygiene. In her speech, we heard all about how often we should be bathing, washing our uniforms, and not offending others with our stanky pits.

Deodorant is not just a 20th-century convenience. In fact, various cultures have been using some form of odor-blocking for centuries. In modern times, it's estimated that upward of 95 percent of Americans wear deodorant. So, whether you choose antiperspirant over deodorant or you prefer a more natural approach for your underarms, see what you know about this odor-reducing product now.

Source: Flickr User lolaleeloo

Take the Quiz
Poll

What's Your Underarm M.O.?

People have widely varying philosophies when it comes to covering their underarm stank.

People have widely varying philosophies when it comes to covering their underarm stank. Some slather on the antiperspirant, some only use deodorant, and the bravest souls go totally without. Everyone has their reasons for feeling the way they do, and people tend to feel very strongly about their choice. Which group are you in, and why?

Stella McCartney

Product Review: Stella McCartney Soft Deodorant

Bear with me a moment while we talk about something a little unusual.

Bear with me a moment while we talk about something a little unusual. A couple of years ago, I decided to make the switch from antiperspirant to deodorant. At the time, I was suffering from some pretty gross breakouts, and I had a crazy theory that antiperspirant, by blocking my sweat glands, was sending toxins to my face and turning them into pimples. (Like I said, it was a crazy theory.)

Anyway, when I went shopping for aluminum-free deodorants, I wasn't too excited by the, er, natural selection. Tom's of Maine left a slimy trail in my underarms, and the "crystal" deodorant irritated my skin. Then I tried Stella McCartney's deodorant (well, not hers—but you know what I mean). To find out how it works, read more