Strong Odors: Deodorants and Tips to Combat Them

Ah, strong odors...

They alone have the power to make us more susceptible to illness, complicate social interactions, and decrease our concentration. In short, a real winning cocktail! More seriously, smelling bad can seriously hinder us in daily life.

A classic deodorant is not enough in this situation. Fortunately, there are deodorants specifically designed for strong odors.

Discover how to choose one to make sure you always smell good!

 

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR DEODORANT TO COMBAT STRONG ODORS?

The perfect product for you is not necessarily the same as for others.

Various very personal criteria influence the choice of your deodorant against bad odors:

1. the amount of sweat produced,

2. the odor and its intensity,

3. preferences regarding application comfort,

4. the aesthetic of the deodorant,

5. the price.

 

To properly consider the other criteria, the first step is to assess your situation.

Note your perspiration level, ranging from very low to very high. Do the same for odor intensity.

You have a choice between the following formats: spray, stick, roll-on, pump, solid, etc.

To find out which one suits you best, the best solution is to test them.

The last two criteria being very personal, we'll leave you to figure that out.

Once this assessment is complete, you can start looking for your dream deodorant against strong odors!

Here are our 5 favorite products:

• Solid coconut deodorant, without essential oils
• Solid deodorant for sensitive skin with aloe vera
• Weleda, Citrus deodorant (odors)
• Ducray Hidrosis Control, anti-perspirant Roll-on
• Je suis Bio 24h solid stick deodorant, cherry blossom and apricot oil

 

WHAT ARE THE 3 TYPES OF DEODORANTS?

 

1- Deodorants against bad odors:

These deodorants are not intended to address perspiration. Their role is to mask bad odors thanks to the presence of ingredients aimed at momentarily perfuming your skin and the surrounding air. They also serve to treat the formation of bad odors, through the presence of antibacterial agents. Very interesting when you know that strong odors are caused by the fermentation of bacteria on the skin's surface!

 

2- So-called antiperspirant deodorants:

These deodorants, which limit sweat production, are indicated for excessive perspiration.

How? Thanks to their mechanism of action that temporarily stops sweat production by the sweat gland. They contain aluminum chloride hexahydrate in an alcoholic solution. By forming a keratin plug, antiperspirants prevent sweat production by the sweat gland. This effect usually lasts 2 to 3 days. Thus, they should be applied 2 to 3 times a week.

By combining its use with a deodorant against bad odors without antiperspirant action, you put everything in place to smell good and say goodbye to sticky clothes. To ensure optimal effectiveness and avoid thermoregulation problems, apply an antiperspirant deodorant only to the areas where you sweat the most, without covering more than one-tenth of your skin's total surface. Ideally, apply your deodorant in the evening before going to bed, on clean and dry skin.

 

3- So-called anti-transpirant deodorants:

No deodorant is strictly speaking "anti-transpirant."

In reality, this term refers to products that limit sweat production for a few hours.

How do they achieve this? : By depositing aluminum salts on the sweat glands. The advantage of these products is that they are easily washed off in the shower or naturally wear off after about half a day. If your daily perspiration bothers you without being excessive, combining an antiperspirant deodorant with one that has no anti-sweat action is ideal for getting rid of strong odors.

How to limit strong odors? : The consumption of certain foods facilitates the appearance of sweat, and therefore bad odors. The following drinks and foods tend to promote perspiration:

• coffee,
• alcohol,
• spices,
• chili,
• processed foods,
• excessive sugar consumption,
• very hot or very cold drinks,
• large quantities of tea, as it contains some caffeine.

 

Also beware of garlic and onion. These foods tend to give sweat a strong odor. Remember to wear appropriate clothing to reduce perspiration.

Pro tip: to stay professional and classy while enjoying the feeling of a well-ventilated body, tennis or golf polos are perfect!

Of course, a healthy lifestyle is still the best "deodorant" against excessive perspiration and strong odors.

Should you consult your doctor for bad odors?  : We rarely think about it, but doctors can indeed be consulted for recurring strong odors. This problem should not be taken lightly, as it can be debilitating in many aspects of daily life, especially when it is due to excessive sweating. If it has been bothering you for several weeks or even months, it's an opportunity to make an appointment with your primary care physician! No matter what the outcome, you have nothing to lose. When in doubt, it's always better to consult a healthcare professional. So, what are you waiting for to smell better than all your colleagues?