The lowdown on deodorant

[skincare_expert]

One of the beauty mavens over at Jack & Hill recently blogged about the necessity -- or not -- of deodorant. She writes:

"While I don't buy into most health scare stories, I have to admit to questioning whether or not every woman needs to wear deodorant. Because sometimes, in my rush to get out the door, I forget to put it on. Guess what? Unless I'

Comments

[morningdozer]

I HAVE to wear deoderant. For everyone's sake. I do think it varies from person to person though. I did read somewhere though that sweat from nervousness or anxiety smells worse than sweat from working out or heat. Haven't put it to the test myself though lol...

[skincare_expert]

Interesting, a couple people have mentioned the difference between "nervous" sweat and heat/workout sweat, and it does seem to make sense. I'll have to pay attention next time this happens to me! :)

[darksylvia]

I use one of the Toms of Maine and I skip every other day in a haphazard fashion because I am forgetful and lazy, and I don't smell as long as I shower regularly, which I would do anyway. I think it's partially that people have been told so often that they'll smell without it that people just do it out of social fear. But there's probably a small percentage of the population that actually do have a worse smelling sweat for whatever reason (and I know I do smell worse when I'm ill or I haven't drunk enough water).

I don't really feel better one way or the other. But I know using an antiperspirant did crazy things to my skin and the idea of not sweating at all freaks me out. I'd rather chance stinking than get cancer of the underarm or something.

[skincare_expert]

I've used Tom's of Maine and really like it too. I actually had eczema on one of my underarms and deodorant (even the natural kind) seemed to aggravate it. So I don't mind skipping days either--feels like it gives my skin a break.

I totally agree that it's a socially conditioned belief that deodorant is absolutely necessary. I don't think I've used an antiperspirant before. I know some people have overactive sweat glands and actually benefit from prescription antiperspirants, but yeah, the idea of not sweating at all seems really strange!