BellaSugar

Why I Wear Men's Deodorant

Heather Dale — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 11:05:16 PST

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.

Now You Can Iron On Your Deodorant

BellaSugar — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 06:00:52 PDT

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?

Neo Deo: The Rise of Natural Deodorant

BellaSugar — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 13:00:00 PDT

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.

What Do You Know About Deodorant?

BellaSugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 07:00:39 PDT

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

What's Your Underarm M.O.?

BellaSugar — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 04:00:00 PDT

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?

You Asked: Is It Unhealthy to Wear Antiperspirant While Exercising?

FitSugar — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:10:00 PDT

Dear Fit,
I'm a big fan of wearing antiperspirant because I don't want to be stinky. Recently though, a friend of mine told me it was unhealthy to wear it while exercising because antiperspirant prevents your body from naturally excreting harmful toxins. Is this true?
- Pondering Antiperspirant Pam

This is a wonderful question as exercise and sweating go hand in hand. To hear what I have to say on the matter,

read more. Sweating is your body's natural way of regulating your body temperature. 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 prevents you from perspiring. Don't worry about the idea that sweating releases toxins, since only trace amounts of toxins are present in your sweat. Remember that sweat's only purpose is to cool you off. Since your armpits aren't the only place you have sweat glands, your body can still find a way to lower your body temp 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. If you do feel it's unhealthy to stop your body from sweating, you can buy deodorant without antiperspirant, which will help control odor but won't prevent perspiration. On a related note, you may have heard that aluminum in antiperspirants causes breast cancer, which is what your friend may be referring to as harmful, but that myth has been debunked. Source

Product Review: Stella McCartney Soft Deodorant

BellaSugar — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 08:00:00 PDT

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 I love Stella eau de parfum because it's soft but complex, and the deodorant is just as pleasing. It's a roll-on, and the formula itself is a milky, watery liquid that takes about 30 seconds to dry. By design, a deodorant doesn't stop you from sweating, but after about a week I realized that I just don't sweat that much in the first place. Having softly scented underarms that match the fragrance on my wrists made me feel luxurious-or at least as luxurious as one can feel when we're talking about perspiration. Stella Soft Deodorant is $19, and I've found it only at Nordstrom. As a sweat-blocker goes, it's pricey, but the cost is completely justified if you love the scent (which I do) and you treat it as part of your "fragrance wardrobe." Have you tried it? What do you think?

DrSugar Answers: Is There a Connection Between Antiperspirants and Cysts?

DrSugar — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 15:16:28 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! This week she's answering a reader's question about cysts.

Dear DrSugar,
Recently I've been getting reoccurring, painful bumps in my armpits. I talked to my doctor about them, and she said they were most likely cysts, and as long as they go away, then I'm fine. I'm not concerned they're cancer or anything bad, but I'm just wondering if deodorants or antiperspirants can cause cysts? I also occasionally use "Certain Dri" antiperspirant for my excessive sweating, but I've recently stopped because I don't sweat as much anymore now that I've lost some weight. Could these deodorants/antiperspirants be the culprits?
Pitted Against Cysts

Learn DrSugar's answer when you read more.

DrSugar Explains Hyperhidrosis, aka Excessive Sweating

DrSugar — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 09:47:34 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! This week she's explaining the condition known as hyperhidrosis, aka excessive sweating.

Even though Summer is winding down, it's still quite warm in many parts of the US, which inspired an explanation on excessive sweating, known as hyperhidrosis in medical terms. Hyperhidrosis can be a difficult condition to have and for some can be quite embarrassing or cause social anxiety.

The Mayo Clinic defines hyperhidrosis as frequent or constant excessive sweating. Sweating is the body's mechanism for cooling itself down, which is a normal response to an increase in body temperature. However, people with hyperhidrosis sweat in quantities above the amount needed to regulate and cool the body's temperature. According to Medicine Net, an estimated two to three percent of Americans suffer from hyperhidrosis, which typically affects the underarms, the palms of the hands, and the soles of the feet. Underarm hyperhidrosis typically starts in puberty, whereas the hands and feet hyperhidrosis can begin even earlier in life. While some people with excessive sweating can have neurologic, metabolic, or other systemic medical conditions, most people with hyperhidrosis are typically otherwise healthy. To learn more about hyperhidrosis, keep reading!

Link Time: Kelly Rowland Gets a Fragrance Campaign

BellaSugar — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 11:45:00 PDT

Kelly Rowland is the face of Diddy's new fragrance - The Cut
Oscar de la Renta on his new fragrance and tattoos - StyleList
How to get rid of puffy eyes - InStyle
The best budget facial moisturizers - Real Simple
Get your Fall makeup bag in check with new Sonia Kashuk brush sets - Refinery29
Video: going-out makeup looks - College Fashion
Why you should rotate your curly-hair products - Naturally Curly
Craft time: makeup magnet board - The Frisky
Antiperspirants go glam: 8 fashionable deodorants - The Beauty Bean