DEODORANTS
AND ANTIPERSPIRANTS
Perspiration is a normal body function. Basically, three things are accomplished by sweating: the body temperature is controlled by cooling, certain wastes are removed from the body, and the skin is kept smooth and pliable.
Sweat never lets up: the body is constantly perspiring - up to a quart per day - even when one is immersed in water.
Most perspiration is produced by a secretion from the endocrine sweat glands -glands distributed over almost the entire surface of the body's skin. The eccrine glands are usual y active only during exercise, on hot days or during nervousness or embarrassment.
Mil ions of Americans are concerned about the perspiration problem and what to buy to combat the problem. Americans spend close to two billion dollars ($1.7) on deodorants and antiperspirants each year. Mum was the first commercial personal deodorant product sold in this country in 1888. It contained bacteria-squelching zinc oxide and was smeared on with the finger. Before this, ammonia and water, talcum powders and perfumes had been used. Antiperspirants came a few years later, but the early products in this field were plagued by a number of problems. At that time, many antiperspirants were a solution of aluminum chloride.
Is there a difference between a deodorant and an antiperspirant? Yes! A deodorant prevents the development of odor in perspiration. It is designed to combat odors, but will not keep you dryer since it does not reduce the amount of perspiration. Deodorants simply mask odor. An antiperspirant reduces the amount of perspiration that reaches the skin's surface. It is designed to reduce the amount of wetness.
Antiperspirants are more complicated, both in composition and action. Like deodorants, they almost always contain bactericidal agents. However, they do not stop there, as it's their intention to prevent moisture, as well as odor. Their containers always show a listing of active ingredients, the most common of which is aluminum salts – chloride, sulfate, chlorohydrate, although zinc, zirconium and other compounds are also found. In composition and action, antiperspirants are very similar to facial astringents. Antiperspirants contain astringents that swell and coagulate protein in the skin, thus reducing the pores through which perspiration is discharged. Astringents are composed of various aluminum salts. This aluminum is readily absorbed through the skin, and we know that aluminum is a poison to the human body.
Cleanliness is the first step in combating perspiration. A daily bath or shower (preferably at night) followed by thorough rinsing is mandatory. Also drinking a minimum of 2 quarts of water daily will help keep the blood stream clean which will reduce the amount of poisons the skin has to eliminate.
A natural deodorant one could use is a fresh lemon cut in half and rubbed under the arms; or one can find a few good natural deodorants in Health Food Stores. Be sure to read the labels for the list of ingredients to determine if it really is natural.