We can all agree that this heat has not been friendly! In some areas, we are reaching over 100 degrees and it’s just downright disrespectful. On top of multiple showers to deal with the sweat, there is one thing we can depend on to stay fresh in this heat, and that’s our deodorant!
Deodorant please don’t fail me now is what we all are thinking when we step out the door for work, a date, or an event!
The sweltering hot weather of course has sparked viral conversations across Twitter and beautyTok between antiperspirant and deodorant users, with antiperspirant lovers begging their aluminum-free pals to put down the deodorant and pick up the antiperspirant to avoid offending others with odor.
According to a recent study from Dove of 1,000 female aluminum-free deodorant users*, despite the haters they’re sweating with pride – 7 in 10 agreed sweat is nothing to be ashamed of. However, summer is the only time of year when deodorant users waiver, with over half (56%) saying they are more likely to reach for antiperspirant in the summer, with worry about odor/smell being the most common reason deodorant users would choose antiperspirant. With Dove 0% Aluminum Deodorant Spray, no tradeoff is needed, thanks to their 48hour odor protection.
Made with Zinc Neodecanoate, Dove 0% Aluminum Deodorant Spray (MSRP: $7.99; avail at all mass retailers) eliminates odor in two ways: it actively captures body odor and eliminates odor-causing bacteria and offers fresh fragrances for odor protection and long-lasting freshness.
Dove believes that beauty should be a source of confidence and not anxiety – so as temps continue to rise, embrace the heat and leave an odor behind with Dove 0% Aluminum Deodorant Sprays.
FEMI had a chance to reach out and chat with Board-certified dermatologist and Dove partner Dr. Heather Woolery-Lloyd about her thoughts on natural deodorant!
Most feel that natural deodorants make them stink, what do you think about this and how are you all changing the narrative?
Since natural deodorants do not contain aluminum salts, users may notice increased sweating after switching to a natural deodorant. Some natural deodorants use different ingredients like cornstarch and arrowroot powder to absorb sweat but they do not reduce sweating. Since natural deodorants use a different approach to reduce odor, it can take time for the bacteria on the skin to change. This is why some may complain of a change in their body odor after starting a natural deodorant. After a few weeks, odor control improves but it is important to be patient when starting a natural deodorant to give your body some time to adjust.
What do we need to know about natural deodorant and its health benefits?
Although there is no official definition of “natural” deodorant, in general, these products do not contain aluminum salts which are the most common ingredients in traditional antiperspirants to reduce sweating. For this reason, many refer to this category of deodorants as aluminum free. Aluminum-free deodorants like Dove 0% Aluminum Deodorant Spray contain ingredients to deodorize and reduce odor. Some aluminum-free deodorants also contain ingredients like cornstarch or arrowroot powder to help absorb excess sweat. For people who are sensitive or allergic to ingredients found in traditional antiperspirants, natural/aluminum-free deodorants offer a great alternative.
Is natural deodorant better than antiperspirant and why is it not being received as well by consumers?
Antiperspirants contain aluminum salts which are ingredients used to block the sweat glands and reduce sweating. Most antiperspirants contain ingredients to eliminate or mask odor too but the primary aim of an antiperspirant is to reduce sweat.
Deodorants, in contrast, contain ingredients to control odor. They do not contain aluminum salts to reduce sweating but they sometimes contain ingredients that can help to absorb sweat. It sometimes takes time to adjust to switching to a natural deodorant and it can take up to 4 weeks for your body odor to adjust to a natural deodorant. The key when making the switch to a natural deodorant is to be patient. There can be a normal transition period before your skin adjusts.
Normal sweating will occur after stopping an antiperspirant because deodorants are not designed to reduce sweating. But it is also important to note that many people who are committed to aluminum-free deodorant options often are not bothered by the sweating associated with stopping antiperspirants. In one study of 1000 deodorant users, 87% of the participants agreed that sweating is a natural part of living an active life. In this same study, two-thirds of women said they would no longer worry about sweat as long as they were protected against odor. So for people who are not concerned about sweating and odor control is their primary concern, an aluminum-free deodorant like Dove 0% Aluminum Deodorant Spray is a great option.
What happens to your armpits when you stop using antiperspirant and make the full switch to natural?
Antiperspirants contain aluminum salts which are ingredients used to block the sweat glands and reduce sweating. Once you stop using an antiperspirant, normal sweating resumes. The microbiome of the skin adjusts with any change in a skincare routine including switching from an antiperspirant to deodorant. During this transition time, there may be a change in underarm odor (possibly due to differences in bacteria) which improves over time. It can take up to 4 weeks for this transition to occur so the key is to be patient.
Does natural deodorant clog pores?
Natural deodorants contain ingredients to deodorize and reduce odor and these ingredients are not typically comedogenic. Some natural deodorant sticks contain coconut oil which can be comedogenic for some people.
DOVE SURVEY DATA*
To dig more into the pressures that aluminum-free deodorant users are feeling during this hotter-than-average summer, Dove commissioned a survey** of 1,000 deodorant users and the results are clear: deodorant users are sweating it out this summer, and they’re proud!
- The majority of respondents (87%) agree that sweating is a natural part of living an active life and something that is inevitable during the summer….and they sweat with pride – 7 in 10 agreed sweat is nothing to be ashamed of.
- Where do they draw the line? Odor. In making the choice to go aluminum-free, they agree that deodorants need to protect from odor so they can sweat without worry or shame… or the all-too-obvious underarm smell check. Two-thirds of women (67%) said they would no longer worry about sweat if they knew they were protected against odor.
- In a summer where temperatures are consistently hitting over 90 degrees, deodorant users are making a choice…do they stick with their aluminum-free deodorant and risk odor, or stay the course? Dove’s study found that summer is the only time of year when deodorant users waiver, with over half (56%) saying they are more likely to reach for antiperspirant in the summer, with worry about odor/smell being the most common reason deodorant users would choose antiperspirant.
*Based on IRI Unit sales US Deodorant & Body Sprays (non-antiperspirant), Full Year 2021.
**This study commissioned by Dove 0% – in partnership with Edelman Data & Intelligence – provides survey data on attitudes and behaviors surrounding sweat among 1,000 female aluminum-free deodorant users, based in the United States.
To qualify for the survey, individuals had to be using aluminum-free deodorant on a frequent basis (Sometimes/Often/Always).
Fieldwork was conducted in July 2022.
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