Dermatologist debunks 5 myths about antiperspirants. Check if you know them!

Sweat protection is a mandatory part of skin care. However, applying cosmetics to the underarm skin every day raises questions about their impact on health, effectiveness, and even the right way or time of application. Over the years, there have been many misconceptions on these issues, which, if followed, can negatively affect personal hygiene and thus well-being. Dr. Edyta Engländer, a dermatologist and expert on the true™ men skin care brand, talks about the most popular myths about antiperspirants.
Deodorantand antiperspirant work the same way

Although in colloquial speech we often use the names of these two cosmetics interchangeably, such a mistake can already result in disappointment when buying them. The task of deodorant is to mask the smell of sweat, so this type of product will work better for people who do not have problems with heavy sweating. Antiperspirants usually have a softer scent - their role is to reduce perspiration, so they work on the causes, not the effects of sweating.

Antiperspirants can cause health problems

The most popular and feared myth about the use of antiperspirants is that they are harmful to health. Increasing the risk of breast cancer or Alzheimer's disease, which has been attributed to cosmetics containing aluminum in their composition, however, has not been confirmed by studies. Aluminum used in cosmetic products, as this is also the name under which this "scary" ingredient functions, has been deemed safe by the European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety. This substance forms a barrier on the surface of the epidermis, which clogs the outlets of the sweat glands, reducing the secretion of sweat. The effect is not long-lasting - it lasts until washing, and the aluminum does not penetrate deep into the skin. Of course, there are aluminum-free antiperspirants available on the market, but there is no need to change the effective cosmetic we use for another just because of its presence in the list of ingredients.

Antiperspirant use interferes with body function

The temporary blockage of sweat glands by antiperspirants raises questions for some in terms of proper thermoregulation of the body and the removal of toxins from it. First of all, the action of such cosmetics does not affect the temperature, and it should be remembered that sweat is not excreted only through the armpits - sweat glands are located in the skin almost all over the body. As for toxins, which are actually unnecessary products of metabolism, the kidneys are primarily responsible for their removal. In this case, sweat is only a supplement to the excretion process - it mainly contains water, urea and excess mineral salts.

Products for men are more effective

It may seem that men sweat more, so cosmetics designed for them will have a stronger effect. However, the tendency to excrete sweat more intensively is an individual issue for each person and should not be considered in the context of gender. The same approach should also be taken to skin care products - the active ingredients are responsible for their effectiveness, not who they are aimed at. Of course, when choosing a target antiperspirant, we pay attention to its fragrance, which is the main "determinant" of whether the product is female or male. However, there are also unisex cosmetics with a universal scent, which additionally come in a refill option, i.e. with a replaceable cartridge, which reduces the use of plastic.

Skin needs a rest from antiperspirant at night

There is a belief that in the evening the skin under the arms should "breathe", so no cosmetics should be applied to it. However, it turns out that the application of antiperspirant after an evening bath can increase its effectiveness. When we sleep, the sweat glands work less intensively, so the product has more time to absorb and can work better. However, if we advocate a morning shower, it is better to apply the product in the morning - on thoroughly cleaned and dried skin.

The delicate skin under the arms requires proper care and hygiene. However, it is not worth believing the myths accumulated around antiperspirants, which are not confirmed by scientific studies. When choosing cosmetics, you should first of all be guided by your own needs and common sense, so that you feel fresh and comfortable throughout the day.

Source: press mat.