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Sweat is made primarily from water and does not itself have any odour. The characteristic smell is caused when bacteria which is naturally present on the skin comes into contact with the sweat where it cannot evaporate (ie the armpits).
Commercially available products work in one of two ways –
The active ingredient in commercially available anti-perspirants is an aluminium compound (usually aluminium chlorohydrate or aluminium zirconium) which works by blocking the pores of the skin so that sweat cannot escape. Some researchers believe that aluminium from these compounds can be absorbed through the skin into the body, although opinion is divided on possible health implications.
Commercial deodorants do not prevent sweating or wetness. They work by masking the smell of the sweat with fragrances (usually synthetic) and neutralizing the bacteria using an anti-bacterial ingredient such as triclosan. Both of which can be potential skin irritants.
Commercially available anti-perspirants and deodorants may also contain parabens, which have been hitting the headlines recently. British researchers have found traces of parabens in tissue taken from women with breast cancer, and although there is no evidence that parabens cause cancer, researchers have asked for the use of parabens in personal care products such as deodorant to be reviewed, as these studies suggest that these chemicals may accumulate within the body after having been applied on the skin.
So is there any natural safe alternative to the above? Deodorants based on natural ingredients such as essential oils, floral water and witch hazel are available. Another natural alternative is deodorant rock crystals. They are made from alum crystals and have an antimicrobial action, neutralising the bacteria on the skin which can lead to odour, rather than acting as an antiperspirant and blocking the pores. However, alum is another name for aluminium sulphate, which is an aluminium compound. Opinion is divided as to whether aluminium can be absorbed through the skin in this form.
Although deodorant rock crystals do contain an aluminium compound – they are an effective way to reduce body odour and contain no other ingredients. So the use of one will minimise your contact with artificial chemicals (butanes, synthetic fragrances, parabens etc) that may be present in commercial preparations.
Scene Green recommended products
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Push Up Crystal Deodorant – Natural - PitRok |