Things must be called by their proper name. We constantly call them what we think we understand and identify. Just as resting is not the same as digesting, a deodorant is not the same as an antiperspirant. Although it is normal for us to confuse sweat with bad odor, they are not something we can equate. Deodorant neutralizes the odor we emit with the bacteria that grow on our skin, while antiperspirant regulates the moisture produced in the armpits to control sweat.
Deodorants: Neutralizing Odor
As we mentioned before, deodorants are primarily designed to neutralize body odor caused by bacterial growth on the skin. How do they do this? They contain antimicrobial ingredients that inhibit the growth of bacteria on the skin, thus reducing the odor associated with the bacterial decomposition of sweat. Essentially, deodorants tackle the problem at its source, keeping you fresh and confident throughout the day.
The advantage of deodorants is that they do not clog pores or interfere with the body's natural perspiration process. This means that they allow sweat to be released normally through the skin's pores, which is essential for regulating body temperature and eliminating toxins.
Antiperspirants: Reducing Sweating
On the other hand, antiperspirants are designed to reduce the amount of sweat produced. How do they achieve this? By containing aluminum salts or other compounds that form temporary plugs in the sweat gland ducts. These temporarily block them, reducing the amount of sweat released to the skin's surface.
In other words, it prevents one of the body's physiological functions: sweating. This is essential for eliminating toxins and environmental pollutants that accumulate in our bodies. This can have short, medium, and long-term consequences such as autoimmune diseases, allergies, chronic inflammation, etc. An endless number of possibilities.
"Which is better?"
There is nothing really worse than the other. What is clear is that the important question is: Is it better to sweat or not to sweat? Of course, it's better to let your body follow its natural course than not to sweat. The main mistake is that we are not aware of all the work behind it.
It is essential to know that sweating is one of our body's tasks for eliminating toxins, and we should not smell bad because of it. According to Nina Botto, a professor of dermatology at the University of California, "people have strong preferences and sensitivities to smell. People, since the beginning of time, have used perfumes or colognes to mask odor," but that doesn't mean we will live longer or better.
So, is it better to eliminate the smell?
Well, it depends; even the smell of our sweat has a function. First of all, the smell of sweat has more to do with the salts and proteins we produce than with what we smell when we are in a gym or a crowded area.
In fact, today, the impact of other people's sweat on our psychological perception is being studied. A study by the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm (Sweden) showed a decrease in social anxiety in people who were exposed to the sweat of others while receiving psychological treatment. There is still no relationship between the mood of those from whom the sweat was collected and what was perceived by those diagnosed with social anxiety.
In a way, some smells are imperceptible to humanity. However, even if sweat is odorless, it does have a taste and can transmit sensations that we are not conscious of ourselves.
Smell allows us to live
The sense of smell is a gift and has more history behind it than we can imagine. It allows us to detect situations, identifying them as dangerous or stable. Imagine yourself in a room with people who have no relation to each other... you could identify the smells of their deodorants and perfumes and create a story around what you perceive to describe their lives, their hobbies, and even what they have eaten during the week. There's a reason for this: our brain activates memory when we use our sense of smell. Because through smell, we can also feel, which we call Aromachology (1989), that is, the psychology of smell.
It allows us to live, and if we lived in a society where we were allowed to know from the start what lies ahead, without having to search for the pitfalls placed in our path, perfumes with pheromones would not exist. In the cosmetics industry, they study how to attract more through smell, and the use of these to attract consumers is commonplace today.
Even that is a trick that has been ingrained in our minds... What truly attracts us as a society is the smell of our bodies, not the artificial essence smells that perfumes or deodorants laden with toxins usually carry. That's called marketing; they play an important role, because depending on their smell, you will buy or not.
There is a very competitive market, and it is not easy to enter cosmetics without using toxins and being conscious of people and the planet. That is why other brands that already have a history with easily recognizable scents have the advantage.
But that is already ending; after taking advantage of social ignorance about the ingredients consumed, we have finally opened our eyes. And as always, there are healthy alternatives!
Start your detox
If you are looking for a natural deodorant, without aluminum or essential oils, that is vegan and protects you 24 hours a day with the best quality, we leave you a list so you can throw yours in the trash TODAY:
If you have sensitive skin, we recommend our best sellers: Silver Breeze, Silver Touch and Silver Sea. With them, you will have 24-hour protection and guaranteed hydration thanks to their Dead Sea salts.
If you want the same effect, but your skin doesn't need that extra delicacy, try So Fresh, So Pure, Soft Breeze. All of them have powerful 100% natural ingredients that support you thanks to their great effectiveness against bacteria and excessive sweating.
You can choose if you want it in cream or solid form; neither is better than the other, you just have to see what suits you best and what scent you like the most.
In addition, if you choose the solid deodorant, you have a special promotion where you can combine them as you wish and acquire an applicator to improve the experience.
And, if you opt for the cream option, you have the possibility of reusing the container, so you can buy the refill of your favorite when it runs out without having to buy it again. Consuming with values has never been easier!
