Choosing the right deodorant is essential, but its correct application is also necessary. In the following lines, we will focus precisely on the proper use of these cosmetics, but not before having examined some fundamental aspects to consider during the purchase phase.
In spray, stick, roll-on, antiperspirant, with a creamy texture, there are different types on the market, and if you need some advice on the subject, read our guide to understand how to choose a good deodorant capable of preventing, masking and solve the problem of sweating and the bad smells that follow.
Right below we had selected the best Nivea deodorants.
Nivea Deodorants Buying Guide
The Importance of Sweat
In the field of personal hygiene, sweat is considered absolute evil, an indication of poor self-care and a cause of embarrassment in interpersonal relationships.
Sweating is an indispensable physiological phenomenon for regulating body temperature. When the body overheats, following intense physical activity or because of the heat, the sebaceous glands are activated to cool the body surface through production sweat.
In addition to having a pivotal role in regulating and dissipating heat, it performs another essential function: together with the sebum produced by epithelial tissues, it takes care of forming a sort of protective film on the skin, which naturally protects it from bacteria and external toxins which could compromise their health and hydration.
Furthermore, despite what one might think, sweat itself is an odorless liquid, and the real responsible for the stench are the sulfur substances produced by the bacterial flora present on the skin, especially in the groin and axillary area.
To minimize the production of bad odors, it is, therefore, advisable to shave the areas of the body that produce higher humidity and regularly use a deodorant that, in addition to not altering the physiological balance of the dermis, is modulated on the needs of the body to solve a specific problem.
Choosing an aggressive product aimed only at masking or covering the smell of sweat is never a beneficial solution since it could compromise the natural pH of the skin and the activity of the sweat glands, causing irritation and redness without even resolving the problem.
The Typologies
It doesn’t matter whether it is summer or winter: deodorant remains an indispensable cosmetic in the context of daily hygiene, but on which often little attention is paid. Which one to choose?
When you find yourself comparing the prices and characteristics of the various products on the market, always keep in mind that a good deodorant is judged not only by the fragrance but also by the ingredients used for its formulation, each of which performs a specific function.
Antiperspirant substances, such as aluminum salts and zinc, aim to block the production of sweat by the sweat glands through a partial reduction of the sweat secretion duct, to limit perspiration and the consequent proliferation of bacteria that cause unpleasant smells.
These products are suitable for those who suffer from excessive sweating, but, in general, we recommend their use for a limited period to avoid the onset of annoying irritations and burning at the local level.
If, on the other hand, the smell is particularly acrid and pungent, the best solution is the adsorbent deodorants: enriched with zinc oxide, magnesium, and glycinate, they can “absorb” the volatile substances generated by sweat, thus limiting the formation of bad odors.
Generally, these are ingredients that are safe and well-tolerated by the skin. Still, to obtain the desired effect, it will be necessary to associate the use of these products with other more specific cosmetics.
Those who sweat a little should choose a covering deodorant formulated with essential oils or aromatic herbs (lavender, sandalwood, chamomile, lemongrass, and so on) and without any active ingredient. Their function is to mask odors without eliminating them, and they generally have an efficacy limited to no more than five / six hours at most.
For Each Skin Its Deodorant
From here it is clear, therefore, that the deodorant plays a leading role in the beauty routine, and not only to reduce the embarrassing odors caused by excessive sweating but also to take care of the well-being and beauty of your body.
In this regard, before purchasing, it is essential to understand what the characteristics of your skin are, if it is delicate, dry, reactive, or oily, to choose the right product and avoid finding yourself in a short time with inflamed or irritated armpits.
This means that the deodorant must be considered as a real beauty treatment and, as such, requires careful hygiene and some precautions for use that promote its effectiveness. Remember, also, that whatever the product is chosen will always be associated with regular daily cleansing.
So before proceeding with the application, it is good to wash the area thoroughly with soap with neutral pH and avoid alcohol-based cosmetics or added with perfumes artificial, which could prove aggressive and potentially irritating.
How to Use a Deodorant?
Why Do We Sweat?
Sweating performs an essential function for the body since it helps to rebalance the body temperature and to eliminate bacteria and toxins that settle daily on the skin.
Our body starts to sweat when it feels the need to disperse the heat, especially in case of physical exertion, emotional stimuli, and when it is boiling.
In these circumstances, an environment conducive to the proliferation of bacteria is generated, which generates the degradation of the organic substances contained in the sweat, consequently causing the formation of bad odors.
Precisely for this reason, it is essential to choose and regularly apply a good deodorant that is in perfect accordance with your skin type and sweating, to avoid embarrassing situations and take care of your hygiene in a targeted way.
Spray or Roll-On?
Once you have identified the right product for your needs, you need to focus on the applicator, which can be spray or roll-on. The former is undoubtedly more hygienic than the latter because it does not require direct contact with the skin and allows rapid drying, making it ideal if you want to share the cosmetic with other people.
The sticks, on the other hand, are more practical to use, also under their discrete dimensions, and are the best choice if the area to be treated is not depilated, but for hygiene reasons, sharing is not recommended.
Those who, however, have excessive sweating problems, accompanied by an acrid and persistent odor, should prefer a cream product, more niche than the previous ones, but far more comfortable to apply.
In addition to performing an intense moisturizing and soothing action, they are formulated without adding alcohol and artificial perfumes, so they are also perfect for those who have sensitive or delicate skin.
How to Apply the Deodorant Correctly?
Before applying the deodorant, it is essential to follow some indispensable steps that form the basis of good personal hygiene. First of all, the area must be washed thoroughly with water and a specific detergent, or at least at a neutral pH, to remove impurities and allow the substances contained in the deodorant to perform their task in the best possible way.
Another precaution to be adopted to solve the problem of unpleasant odors is that of depilating the areas most subject to sweating to favor the evaporation of sweat and prevent its stagnation.
Changing clothes frequently also helps to control the formation of bad odors and, in this regard, natural fiber fabrics, such as cotton or linen, are preferred, which allow higher perspiration even in particularly hot weather.
Furthermore, if you do not want to find yourself with unsightly stains on clothes, especially if they are dark in color, it is advisable to wait for the deodorant to dry completely before dressing.
Finally, if you prefer something more natural than the excellent products available on the market, you can use rock alum or potassium, an odorless and colorless stone consisting of potassium and aluminum salts, which must be passed on the skin after having moistened it with water.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Get Rid of Hardened Deodorant Stains on Shirts?
Many deodorants, even those of the best brand, can leave unsightly stains on clothes, which often prove to be quite challenging to remove. To eliminate the hardened halos on the fabrics, it is good practice to pre-treat the area with a mixture of water and baking soda (or vinegar) before putting the garment in the washing machine.
For non-machine washable garments, however, a stain remover based on salt, vinegar, and dishwashing detergent can be made to be sprayed directly on the stain and then dab the area with a damp cloth.
Baking Soda as A Deodorant?
The use of bicarbonate as a deodorant is nothing new: always considered an effective natural remedy against sweat, and it can create an environment hostile to the proliferation of the bacterial flora responsible for bad odors.
The local application of bicarbonate makes the axillary pH alkaline to reduce the adhesion of bacteria on the skin surface and facilitate their subsequent elimination.
Where to Throw Deodorant Spray Cans?
Although it is now standard practice to throw the spray cans of deodorants directly into the unsorted waste, in reality, it is necessary to pay attention to the symbols shown on the bottle.
If some abbreviations or images indicate the toxicity or flammability of the product, then it must be disposed of in the appropriate bins of the collection centers.
Otherwise, the can, in steel or aluminum, can be thrown away in the metal/aluminum collection, while the cap and the dispenser must be collected in the particular plastic container.
What to Use Instead of Deodorant?
In addition to the bicarbonate above, aerated clay or rock stone can also be used to replace traditional deodorants, which aim to absorb sweat and eliminate unpleasant odors effectively.
Alternatively, you can also use lavender, with antibacterial and soothing properties, or peppermint extract, which, in addition to minimizing bacterial proliferation, has an effective refreshing and purifying action.
