You have to ask yourself whether deodorant needs to be science led to just keep your armpits fresh and dry? Deodorant is one of those daily products that we probably don’t even think about – it’s as natural to apply it as it is to brush your teeth or comb your hair. If you’ve followed my blog for a while, then you’ll know that I’m not into treating armpits as though they’re lacking in some way if they aren’t completely perfect. What I definitely am into though is products that actually do their job (nobody wants little damp patches) and are kind to skin. Especially sensitive skin.
I’m happy to flag up the Soft & Gentle Skin Science range as exactly that, without making us feel any sweat or armpit shame. Women sweat – let’s just deal with it. The one I like best is Really Pure Anti-Perspirant Deodorant that’s made without Aluminium Chlorohydrate, instead, using an ingredient called Potassium Alum that creates a pH level under your arms where bacteria can’t grow. If bacteria isn’t growing, your pits aren’t smelling! Really Pure is also made with no alcohol (you know that ouchy feeling when you’ve just shaved and then put on your pit squit?) and has oat oil for calming and soothing. Like the entire Skin Science range, Really Pure is anti-white marks and compressed, meaning that it’s a small container that will fit in your handbag or gymbag with no problem at all.
Second up is Skin Science Ultra Protect with a claim of 72 hours of protection. That’s like 3 days worth! However, Soft & Gentle Skin Science isn’t saying you only need to use it every 3 days; it’s more that it will withstand a 3 day wait if you’re glamping at a festival or other hard-to-wash activities. In reality, Skin Science Ultra Protect has more use for those who sweat more strongly than others. It’s a genetic straw pick as to whether you’ll naturally sweat a little or a lot. Ultra Protect is also good for that extra level of protection to see you through a gym session or a run and because it contains Soybean, an emollient, there’s less likelihood of perspiration causing irritated skin. Bottom line is that this one is for hard sweaters, whether natural or exertion induced.
Finally, there’s Skin Science Visibly Smooth. I had a little bit of a “no, I don’t think so” moment with this one until I really got to grips with what it does, which is reduce the speed and thickness of hair growth with results after 8 weeks by targeting the protein responsible for hair growth (called VEGF) with a plant molecule, chelidonine. While I am adamant that you don’t necessarily need to ‘prettify’ your armpits, and nor would I be embarrassed about a little bit of shadow, most of us go through a hair removal routine under there. Personally, I just strip wax it off at home – it hurts every single time – so if there’s less to wax away then that I’m totally up for that. Visibly Smooth also has soybean (actually, all of the Skin Science variants do) so the skin under your arms doesn’t get dried out.
To write this post, I’ve really had to think about armpits and deodorising, and it’s genuinely an awakening for me that using the same old stuff day in day out (which is what I have been doing) isn’t necessarily the best thing when there are targeted products that do the same job but a bit more as well. I guess it’s a bit like choosing between a toothpaste that brightens your teeth and one that just cleans them – I mean, why wouldn’t you opt for the extra bit, too? The Soft & Gentle Skin Science products are £2.09 each HERE.
*Sponsored post.
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9 comments
Just a small plea, – could we have more cruelty free markers please manufacturers? I tend to do my own research, but it would be so helpful to have it – Many thanks
If it’s flagged up, then I will try and mention it more. x
Oooh, they’re half price at Boots now too 🙂 Will have to give them a go at £1.09 each. I usually use Vichy or Bioderma antipersp roll-ons but I’ll give these a go at that price and see if they’re as good.
Wow, no aluminium?! That’s amazing. I need this in my life.
Hi Jane,
Great review so thanks! Just a quick comment though – I’m pretty sure Potassium Alum does contain aluminium – the full name is in fact Potassium Aluminum Sulfate. So if you are trying to avoid aluminium as a result of the alleged increased risk of breast cancer/alzheimers. You’re actually just using a different form of Aluminium, albeit a “natural one”. Slightly misleading….?!
thanks for flagging this up – will make some enquiries asap. xx
Hi Stephanie, the response is: ‘Potassium alum, or potassium aluminum sulfate, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is typically found as encrustations on rocks that contain sulfide and potassium minerals in areas of weathering and oxidation. Potassium, aluminum, and sulfate are widely found in food and in the human body.’
‘The difference between potassium alum and aluminum chlorohydrate is that potassium alum is a much larger molecule, not thought to be absorbable through human skin.’
Thank you so much for checking and confirming! I’ll definitely try it in that case! 🙂 xx
Hi Jane
A bit of chemistry: when an inorganic molecule, such as potassium alum (potassium aluminium sulphate) dissolves in water it dissociates into its ions. (Water is an ionising solvent.) Sweat is water and salt. The ‘ions’ are the elements that make up the molecule. Aluminium ions are the same size, whatever molecule they come from…when they are dissolved in water.
So, I don’t buy the answer. To me, it falls into the category of: ‘contains no sugar.’ As advertised on some drinks that, indeed, contain no ‘sugar’ but contain the natural sugars: fructose and glucose. I think we all know that too much of these naturally occurring sugars is not a good thing…and much suggest the same applies to aluminium compounds. However, it’s very probable that our bodies do need a minute amount of this and other trace elements.