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10 deodorant mistakes you need to stop making

<h2>Deodorant mistakes you need to stop making</h2> <p>It’s a common daily hygiene routine – people apply deodorant to their underarms to keep body odour at bay. But even when you do something every day, there’s still room for error, and there are some common mistakes people make. We asked skin health experts to reveal the most popular deodorant faux pas, and the tips you can use to correct them.</p> <h2>Not knowing the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant</h2> <p>Here’s a quick lesson: Antiperspirants reduce sweat, while deodorants reduce smell. According to dermatologist Fayne Frey, most antiperspirants contain aluminium salts, sometimes mixed with a zirconium salt, which bind to a protein in the sweat gland ducts. This creates a sweat duct plug that temporarily tamps down sweat production. Deodorants, on the other hand, are topical products that either neutralise odour – using ingredients that kill some of the bacteria that contributes to the development of body odour – or simply mask it. “They do not reduce the amount of sweat expelled and will not keep your armpits dry,” explains dermatologist Dr Tsippora Shainhouse.</p> <h2>Applying it right after shaving</h2> <p>Be careful when swiping on deodorant or antiperspirant immediately after shaving, especially when using products with a higher alcohol content. These can cause irritation, according to dermatologist Dr Alisha Plotner.</p> <h2>Layering deodorant</h2> <p>A fresh layer of deodorant won’t keep you fresh if it’s sitting on top of yesterday’s stench. You need to apply product to clean, dry skin so it can adhere directly to the surface. If layered on top of an older product (especially a thick cream or solid) it’s likely to be less effective, explains Dr Plotner.</p> <h2>Applying it in the morning</h2> <p>Contrary to popular belief, you should actually be applying deodorant in the evening, before bed. Deodorants and antiperspirants are most effective on skin when sweat ducts are less active and there is minimal moisture, such as while you’re sleeping. “Because deodorant should always be applied to clean, dry skin, it’s best to shower in the evening, pat your skin dry with a towel, and then apply deodorant,” explains dermatologist Dr Joel Schlessinger. “If you miss the fresh scent of deodorant, it’s okay to apply again in the morning. However, this is more for your own comfort level than anything else.”</p> <h2>Not applying it every day</h2> <p>This one can go either way. “Depending on your body and what type of deodorant / antiperspirant you’re using, you may not need to apply every single day,” explains Dove dermatologist Dr Alicia Barba. Some antiperspirants are made to last 48 hours, which means daily application isn’t essential. When in doubt, read the label, or just cleanse and reapply.</p> <h2>Forgetting to moisturise</h2> <p>Dr Frey advises applying a dimethicone-based moisturiser to the armpit in the morning to minimise irritation. For a more natural alternative, New Orleans spa director Sharla Martin, recommends moisturising with coconut oil. “Coconut oil soothes dry skin and can reduce water loss in very dry skin. It has natural antibacterial properties and is incredibly soothing to the skin in those delicate places.”</p> <h2>Using the wrong product</h2> <p>It’s important to take into consideration your skin type and any skin issues or sensitivities you may have when choosing a deodorant. Higher alcohol content formulas, like sprays and gels, can be irritating to sensitive skin types – as can heavily fragranced formulas, according to Dr Plotner. “You have to take care of the skin under your arms just like you do the skin on your face,” says Dr Barba.</p> <h2>Not knowing the difference between regular and clinical strength</h2> <p>Regular antiperspirants must show a 20% reduction in sweat duct plug formation, while clinical strength must show a 30% reduction. “Clinical strength antiperspirants contain a higher concentration of aluminium zirconium salts, and although they may be more effective, they may also be more irritating,” says Dr Frey. “I advise my patients with sensitive skin to avoid antiperspirants with fragrance as well as extra strength formulas, and to look instead for products that contain dimethicone, which may also prevent irritation in susceptible individuals.”</p> <h2>Not considering natural formulas</h2> <p>Have you ever thought about using natural deodorant? Before you assume it doesn’t work, you should know this – they can be good alternatives for a few reasons. Natural deodorants may be viable options for people with light sweating, or those who are hoping to camouflage and/or prevent mild odour, according to Dr Plotner.</p> <h2>Not knowing how to get it off clothes</h2> <p>It’s frustrating to slip on a shirt or jumper and realise it has white deodorant smudges on it. Don’t worry, there are a few proven methods to wipe away those dreaded marks. A damp washcloth works well.</p> <p><strong>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/10-deodorant-mistakes-you-need-to-stop-making-2?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.</strong></p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

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5 benefits of using natural deodorant

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Between antiperspirants, traditional deodorants, and now natural deodorants, there are so many options when it comes to helping us smell great.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though these products seem to do the exact same thing at first glance, they differ slightly in how to work to neutralise B.O.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While antiperspirants reduce body odour by stopping sweat from reaching the surface of the skin using aluminium salts, traditional deodorants contain ethanol or ingredients with antimicrobial properties to kill the bacteria that eats sweat and produces smell.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As for natural deodorant, a relatively new player in the odour-erasing game, it usually contains </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.healthline.com/health/natural-deodorants-work-smart-girls-guide#what-makes-a-natural-deodorant" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">three components</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">: ingredients with disinfectant or antibacterial properties, naturally absorbent ingredients to mop up sweat, and essential oils to add a pleasant scent.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’re considering changing up your routine, here are five benefits that could come with giving natural deodorants a try.</span></p> <p><strong>1. It actually allows you to sweat</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One of the biggest benefits of natural deodorant is that it helps to eliminate unwanted odour while still allowing your body to sweat. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Anna Mitsios, the founder of </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://ediblebeautyaustralia.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Edible Beauty Australia</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, says: “Mainstream deodorants and antiperspirants contain ingredients such as propylene glycol and aluminium salts, which block sweat glands and stop the natural process of sweat.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Sweating is not a body action we want to stop as it allows our bodies to maintain a healthy body temperature.”</span></p> <p><strong>2. It stops odour naturally</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s not your sweat that causes body odour, but rather the sweat combined with bacteria already existing on your skin. Natural deodorants help to neutralise your odour, rather than stopping you from sweating. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Common ingredients used to neutralise odours include baking soda and magnesium hydroxide. Both have anti-microbial qualities that kill bacteria before they digest sweat and create odour. However, Anna says magnesium hydroxide “is less irritating than baking soda and is less soluble which means it takes longer to fully dissolve in sweat, leading to more staying power”.</span></p> <p><strong>3. Care for your clothes</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Did you know it’s the aluminium in your deodorant that causes those dark yellow stains on your whites? When aluminium mixes with sweat it rubs on your clothing leaving marks over time, and they’re near impossible to get out. </span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CWZeLzfAcLJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CWZeLzfAcLJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Edible Beauty (@ediblebeautyau)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><strong>4. It’s gentle on your skin</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’ve removed hair from your underarms via shaving or waxing, then you know just how sensitive this area can be. Natural deodorants actually help to combat irritation and provide a more conditioning feel than general aerosols and roll ons. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For those who experience skin irritation, eczema, or contact allergies to the fragrances in </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://dermnetnz.org/topics/antiperspirant" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">antiperspirants</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, natural deodorants can also be a gentler option for the skin.</span></p> <p><strong>5. An eco-friendly option</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Choosing a deodorant that is natural, sustainable, biodegradable not only ensures you are armed with the best protection, but means you are also keeping the environment in mind by limiting plastic single-use items and omitting chemicals and toxins. </span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Getty Images</span></em></p>

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10 deodorant mistakes you need to stop making

<p>It’s a common daily hygiene routine – people apply deodorant to their underarms to hopefully keep body odour away.</p> <p>Although putting on deodorant is a common practice, there are some mistakes people make when it comes to this personal hygiene product.</p> <p>We asked skin health experts to reveal the most common mistakes people make that can reduce the ability of deodorant to do its job, and the tips to correct them.</p> <p><strong>Not knowing the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant </strong></p> <p>Antiperspirants reduce sweat, while deodorants reduce stink. According to dermatologist, Fayne Frey most antiperspirants contain aluminium salts, sometimes mixed with a zirconium salt, which bind to a protein in the sweat gland ducts.</p> <p>This creates a sweat duct plug that temporarily tamps down sweat production. Deodorants, on the other hand, are topical products that either neutralise odour – using ingredients that kill some of the bacteria that contributes to the development of body odour – or simply mask it.</p> <p>“They do not reduce the amount of sweat expelled and will not keep your armpits dry,” explains dermatologist, Dr Tsippora Shainhouse.</p> <p><strong>Applying it right after shaving</strong></p> <p><span>Be careful when swiping on deodorant or antiperspirant immediately after shaving, especially when using products with a higher alcohol content. </span></p> <p><span>These can cause irritation, according to dermatologist, Dr Alisha Plotner.</span></p> <p><strong>Layering deodorant </strong></p> <p><span>You may use this technique with dry shampoo and possibly mascara, but a fresh layer of deodorant won’t keep you fresh if it’s sitting on top of yesterday’s stench. </span></p> <p><span>You need to apply product to clean, dry skin, so it can adhere directly to the surface. If layered on top of an older product (especially a thick cream or solid) it’s likely to be less effective, explains Dr Plotner.</span></p> <p><strong>Applying it in the morning</strong></p> <p>Contrary to popular belief, you should actually be applying deodorant in the evening, before bed. Deodorants and antiperspirants are most effective on skin when sweat ducts are less active and there is minimal moisture. This can be such as in the evening and while you sleep.</p> <p>“Because deodorant should always be applied to clean, dry skin, it’s best to shower in the evening, pat your skin dry with a towel, and then apply deodorant,” explains dermatologist, Dr Joel Schlessinger.</p> <p>“If you miss the fresh scent of deodorant, it’s okay to apply again in the morning. However, this is more for your own comfort level than anything else.”</p> <p><strong>Not applying it everyday</strong></p> <p><span>This one can go either way. “Depending on your body and what type of deodorant/antiperspirant you’re using, you may not need to apply every single day," explains Dove dermatologist, Dr Alicia Barba. </span></p> <p><span>Some antiperspirants are made to last 48 hours, which means daily application isn’t essential. When in doubt, read the label, or just cleanse and reapply.</span></p> <p><strong>Forgetting to moisturise </strong></p> <p><span>Dr Frey advises applying a dimethicone-based moisturiser to the armpit in the morning to minimise irritation. For a more natural alternative, spa director, Sharla Martin, recommends moisturising with coconut oil. </span></p> <p><span>“Coconut oil soothes dry skin and can reduce water loss in very dry skin. It has natural antibacterial properties and is incredibly soothing to the skin in those delicate places.”</span></p> <p><strong>Using the wrong product</strong></p> <p><span>It’s important to take into consideration your skin type and any skin issues or sensitivities when choosing a deodorant. </span></p> <p><span>Higher alcohol content formulas, like sprays and gels, may be irritating to sensitive skin types – as can heavily fragranced formulas, according to Dr Plotner. </span></p> <p><span>“You have to take care of the skin under your arms just like you do the skin on your face,” says Dr Barba.</span></p> <p><strong>Not knowing the difference between regular and clinical strength</strong></p> <p><span>Regular antiperspirants must show a 20 per cent reduction in sweat duct plug formation, while clinical strength must show a 30 per cent reduction. </span></p> <p><span>“Clinical strength antiperspirants contain a higher concentration of aluminium zirconium salts, and although they may be more effective, they may also be more irritating,” says Dr Frey. </span></p> <p><span>“I advise my patients with sensitive skin to avoid antiperspirants with fragrance as well as extra strength formulas, and to look instead for products that contain dimethicone, which may also prevent irritation in susceptible individuals.”</span></p> <p><strong>Not considering natural formulas</strong></p> <p><span>Have you ever thought about using natural deodorant? Before you assume it doesn’t work, you should know this – they can be good alternatives for a few reasons. </span></p> <p><span>Natural deodorants may be viable options for people with light sweating, or those who are hoping to camouflage and/or prevent mild odour, according to Dr Plotner.</span></p> <p><strong>Not knowing how to get it off clothes</strong></p> <p><span>It’s frustrating to slip on a top and realise you just got white deodorant smudges all over it. Don’t worry, there are a few proven methods to wipe away those dreaded marks. </span></p> <p><span>A damp washcloth works well (just be sure to wring it out to avoid soaking your clothes). To avoid white marks all together, simply opt for a clear formula.</span></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared in <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/healthsmart/beauty/10-deodorant-mistakes-you-need-to-stop-making?pages=1" target="_blank">Reader's Digest</a>. </em></p>

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Mum's desperate plea after deodorant leaves daughter with brain damage

<p>A Queensland mother has shared a desperate plea for parents to discuss the dangers of solvent abuse with their kids.</p> <p>The emotional appeal comes after Sarah Nevins found her 16-year-old daughter Chloe lying in bushland without a pulse. </p> <p>Chloe has been inhaling toxic fumes from a deodorant aerosol can with her boyfriend on June 1st when she went into cardiac arrest, cutting off the oxygen supply from her brain. </p> <p>The concerned mum told The Courier Mail that her daughter was taken to <span>the Royal Brisbane and Women’s hospital with a hypoxic brain injury, and remains confined to her hospital bed over a month later. </span></p> <p><span>Sarah said, “I had no idea she was chroming, I didn’t even know that people did that.”</span></p> <p><span>Chroming, more commonly known as solvent abuse, is when people try to get high by inhaling chemicals like paint, glue, petrol or other solvents. </span></p> <p><span>Sarah said that paramedics performed CPR on Chloe for almost 30 minutes before she was admitted to the Brisbane hospital. </span></p> <p><span>The mum posted a series of photos and videos of her unconscious child with a tracheostomy tube in her neck fighting for life.</span></p> <p>“It’s upsetting because you’re looking at a wasted life,” she told The Courier Mail.</p> <p>“Her quality of life is going to be severely impacted for the rest of her life.”</p> <p>Sarah is hoping the shocking images of her daughter will prompt parents to <span>their children about the dangers of chroming. </span></p> <p><span>She is also campaigning for manufacturers to remove toxic ingredients from their aerosol products to prevent further issues of solvent abuse. </span></p> <p><em>Image credits: Facebook</em></p>

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Man’s avocado deodorant stick sends internet into chaos

<p><span>One man has invented an avocado deodorant stick as a way to make the “fastest avocado toast ever”.</span><br /><br /><span>Posting to the TikTok page Unnecessary Inventions, the man behind the account introduced his insta invention, "avocado on a stick".</span><br /><br /><span>At the crux of it, it appears to just be an empty deodorant stick filled with smashed avocado.</span><br /><br /><span>"I invented the easiest way to make avocado toast," he says as the clip begins.</span><br /><br /><span>“Meet the avocado on a stick."</span><br /><br /><span>The tutorial went on to demonstrate how the avocado stick functions much the same as a stick of roll-on deodorant.</span><br /><br /><span>"This handy little container features fresh, mashed avocado. And you can twist this little knob to reveal a little more avocado," he says.</span><br /><br /><span>"Then you just grab a piece of toast and spread on your avocado. The fastest avocado toast ever."</span><br /><br /><span>The video has since been viewed over 4.6 million times.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839271/avocado.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/ea9f3fdaf7fa442d941ee5361f68bbd9" /><br /><br /><span>"Im so repulsed [sic]" one person wrote.</span><br /><br /><span>Another added: "That really does not look edible.”</span><br /><br /><span>"This makes me uncomfortable," a third chimed in.</span><br /><br /><span>Not all the comments were bad however, with some choosing to admire his “creative take”.</span><br /><br /><span>“The point is you tried,” one person commented.</span><br /><br /><span>Another user added: “I appreciate the effort indeed.”</span></p>

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