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With heat domes and extreme temperatures on the way, TikTok is telling us armpit detoxing is necessary in the battle to stay fresh.
Not so, says Dr. Joe Schwarcz: “Detoxing is a nonsense phenomenon. Our body has organs that do this job, they’re called the liver and the kidney,” says the professor of chemistry and director of McGill University’s Office for Science and Society. “That’s how we get rid of any potential toxins, not by sweating it out through our armpits.”
The social-media trend touts that smearing pits in a concoction of apple cider vinegar mixed with kaolin clay or charcoal powder can reduce stink. “Apple cider vinegar is just vinegar, it’s an acid, so it will kill some bacteria. It’s possible that for a short time it will cut down on odour, but it has nothing to do with detoxing,” he says. “And it’s not going to cut down odour any better than a commercial product.”
It turns out it’s not just sweat that’s to blame for B.O. “There’s a lot of talk these days about our microbiome, that we share our body with trillions of bacteria. Most of that talk is about the bacteria in our gut, but they also live on our skin,” explains Schwarcz. “The little creatures feed on whatever we secrete from the apocrine glands in our skin, such as various proteins and carbohydrates. When the bacteria digest these, they poop, and the smell of bacterial poop is responsible for body odour.” These glands are concentrated in the armpits, genitals and scalp.
The unique composition of an individual’s microbiome contributes to their bodily aroma. Hormones and gender appear to play a leading role, too. A Swiss study found chemical differences among genders resulted in men tending to elicit a cheesy, rancid scent while women had a tropical fruit- and onion-like aroma.
Hormonal changes are also thought to be why teens can develop a funky smell. A recent study published in Communications Chemistry discovered that the onset of puberty and activation of sebaceous glands during this stage contributed to changes to body odour chemical composition, including a higher concentration of compounds associated with cut grass, cheese and musk.
Aside from regular showers and staying cool, to minimize B.O. you have two options: an antiperspirant or deodorant. Antiperspirants are formulated to reduce sweating and keep skin dry. “They do this by forming a gel, usually using aluminum compounds, that blocks the apocrine glands that would produce the compounds that bacteria feed on,” says Schwarcz. Deodorant, on the other hand, contains ingredients that neutralize bacteria as well as mask body odour with a fragrance. “Alcohol will cut down on some of the bacterial population,” he says.
The right choice comes down to preference and needs, such as whether you’re content functioning with damp underarm skin, enjoy a drier sensation or desire a pleasant fragrant boost. Antiperspirants, and more specifically the aluminum salts they utilize to block sweat, have taken on a bad rap as being linked to breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. But, says Schwarcz, “There have been numerous studies carried out on this and there is no evidence for a causative link between aluminum and breast cancer or Alzheimer’s disease.”
Schwarcz adds that product claims that something is “natural” are no guarantee that they are safe, or, likewise, that something that is synthetic is dangerous. “There is no such equation.”
Six buys to try
Whether your goal is to stay dry or use a scent to keep odour at bay, these antiperspirants and deodorants will help you get the job done
(Left) Offering eucalyptus-scented odour protection and a mix of skin-care ingredients such as 5 per cent alpha hydroxy acid, niacinamide and chamomile extract, this clear non-sticky gel deodorant claims to brighten underarm discolouration, strengthen the skin’s barrier and smooth bumps. Nécessaire The Deodorant Gel, $25, sephora.com
(Right) This cream with cornstarch and a coconut and vanilla scent is designed to go beyond your armpits. Lightweight and easy to apply, the brand says it’s made to absorb moisture on privates, thighs and toes too. Dove Whole Body Deodorant, $19, shoppersdrugmart.ca
(Left) You can apply this roll, formulated with aluminum salt and perlite (an ultra-absorbent mineral), on to pits, hands and feet to control excessive sweating for 24 hours. Vichy Stress Resist Anti-Perspirant Intensive Treatment, $24, vichy.ca
(Right) Perfume notes of black rose, lily of the valley, spiced cloves and oud join moisturizing oils and lactobacillus ferment, a probiotic that aims to balance bacteria within the skin’s microbiome and neutralize odor. Salt & Stone Black Rose & Oud Natural Deodorant, $27, holtrenfrew.com
(Left) Wake up and cool down with this antiperspirant that has a boost of mint extract, a cooling sensation and touts long lasting relief from sweat. Nivea Men Cool Kick Roll On, $7, shoppersdrugmart.com
(Right) Infused with delicate notes of aloe, pear, coconut water and santal musk, this deo contains absorbent tapioca starch and nourishing shea butter. Native Sensitive Deodorant, Aloe & Green Tea, $17, walmart.ca