What Makes a Good Antiperspirant? Expert Advice from Dermatologist Dr. Barba

Dr. Barba: “Deodorant and antiperspirant are often used interchangeably, but there is actually a key difference between the two. While both protect against body odor, antiperspirants traditionally use the ingredient aluminum, which keeps you dry by controlling the flow of sweat to avoid the feeling of wetness under your arms. On more active days when the sweat glands are on overdrive to cool us off, a good antiperspirant may be needed as they have active ingredients that temporarily block the sweat from exiting the glands.”

DB: “A good antiperspirant is alcohol free, non-irritating and has ingredients that provide added skin care benefits such as moisturization.

Your delicate underarm skin needs gentle moisturizers so that the skin barrier remains intact, minimizing irritation. Dove’s formula, with ¼ moisturizers, provides these added skin care benefits.”

DB: “Understanding this area is delicate is important to avoid irritation. Rashes can be a result of the skin barrier breaking down, an allergic reaction to a new product, or even contact with a new or rough fabric. Be careful when grooming this area to avoid over-stripping or damaging the stratum corneum [the outermost layer of your skin]. Remember that when you are shaving or waxing, you are already exfoliating so be careful not to over exfoliate the delicate skin in the shower.”

DB: “Intertriginous areas [skin-against-skin areas] tend to be delicate, as moisture, friction and lack of ventilation can all contribute to irritation. This is why it is key for antiperspirants and/or deodorants to have ingredients with added skin care benefits that are non-irritating. If you are having an issue with delicate skin in the underarm area, make sure that friction is kept to a minimum and stop any new products (skin care, detergents, fabric softeners). If the area is red and itchy, see your dermatologist who can recommend further tests to get to the root of the problem.”

DB: “The stratum corneum requires that it not dry out in order for it to be intact and function as the barrier it is meant to be. Look for an antiperspirant or deodorant that not only provides sweat and odor protection, but is also gentle on underarms and delicate skin.”

DB: “Glycerin is an established “humectant,” a type of moisturizing ingredient that pulls in hydration from the air around us, and into the stratum corneum. It is used in many premium skin care products and now, for the first time, it is in Dove Ultimate, a new addition to the antiperspirant portfolio. There is an option for a water-based hydrator (humectant) to provide much needed moisturization to the delicate skin underneath the arm.”