Body odor is caused by bacteria that accumulate in contact with toxins excreted by our body. Before the 20th century and the beginning of hygienism, perspiration was not perceived as a negative social marker. It was with the economic crisis of 1930 that manufacturers played on the fear of losing one's job to convince most of the population to use deodorant.
The first deodorant was invented in the United States in 1888 by the brand Mum. But for it to become a central product in our morning routine, manufacturers at the time had to redouble their inventiveness and advertising efforts.
How does deodorant work?
Deodorants act on bacteria which, by feeding on apocrine sweat (eccrine sweat has no odor), release the odor associated with perspiration.
A deodorant's effectiveness relies on 3 main ingredients: an absorbent, an antibacterial, and an odor-masking agent. The absorbent component, such as plant powder, clay, or probiotics. These help reduce the feeling of dampness. The antibacterial neutralizes odor-causing bacteria.
Why do we sweat?
The skin is the largest and most versatile organ of the human body. It performs many vital functions, one of which is perspiration. This natural physiological phenomenon plays several roles, such as body thermoregulation, waste elimination, and skin protection by contributing to the formation of the hydrolipidic film. The production and secretion of sweat are carried out by the sweat glands.
Where does perspiration come from?
There are two main types of perspiration: thermoregulation perspiration, also known as thermoregulation, and emotional perspiration.
The activation of perspiration is due to the body's obedience to reflexes controlled by the hypothalamus, located in the brain, following the detection of different external signals.
- Thermoregulation
Thermal regulation occurs when the body is at risk of overheating, for example during exertion or fever, but also at rest to maintain thermal equilibrium with the ambient environment during high heat.
The body releases thermal energy through the evaporation of water on the skin's surface. The humidification of the skin by sweat thus helps to cool it down, leading to the regulation and lowering of body temperature. Approximately 50% of this sweating is carried out by the torso and 25% by the legs.
- Emotional perspiration
Emotional perspiration is an instantaneous reaction of the body to stress, anxiety, pleasure, or even fear. In cases of strong emotions, the autonomic nervous system releases stress hormones into the blood, particularly adrenaline. These activate the glands responsible for perspiration within seconds. After emotional stimulation, the axillary glands, located in the armpits, produce a larger volume of perspiration.
This type of sweating occurs over the entire body surface, largely on the hands, feet, and armpits, regardless of the ambient temperature.
And the smell in all of this?
Contrary to popular belief, sweat is practically odorless. Therefore, it is not perspiration itself that is responsible for bad odors. It is, in fact, the bacteria that, when they consume it, produce odorous chemical compounds, responsible for unpleasant body odors.
Antiperspirant or deodorant?
Among hygiene products fighting bad odors, we find antiperspirants and deodorants. Deodorant neutralizes the bacteria responsible for bad odors. An antiperspirant tightens the skin's pores to block the phenomenon of sweating, often aided by aluminum salts.
- Antiperspirants
Antiperspirants help reduce the amount of sweat produced. They have an astringent action and thus regulate perspiration for a few hours by obstructing the glands. The main active ingredient found in antiperspirants is aluminum salts.
Antiperspirants have been widely criticized lately, firstly for their mode of action; they trap toxins in the body and thus prevent the natural regulation of the human body through perspiration. Furthermore, the use of aluminum salts could have an impact on the growth of breast cancer rates. Moreover, exposure to these is also blamed for having an impact on the increase in cases of Alzheimer's disease.
- Deodorants
Deodorants can work through two different mechanisms. They either contain antimicrobial agents that reduce the growth of bacteria responsible for forming unpleasant odors (like our Coco, Palmarosa, Mint, and Bergamot deodorants), or absorbent or odor-masking agents (like our sensitive skin deodorant). Unlike antiperspirants, they do not prevent sweat production and allow the body to naturally regulate itself by evacuating toxins!
Perspiration is a natural phenomenon that helps eliminate toxins from our body. Hence the current controversies about antiperspirants that block this evacuation.
Leave a comment
All comments are moderated before being published.
This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.