Stay fresh. Stay Balanced!!!

Perspiration is a very natural bodily function designed to regulate salt levels in the body and cool it down. The sweat itself is odorless, however, the bacteria on the skin surface breaks the sweat and causes body odor through fermentation. Most of us sweat due to reasons like physical exertion, long hours and hot climates. There are some who sweat when anxious or nervous and then there are those who always have body odor no matter how many times they bathe or what products they use.

Personal hygiene has always been an integral part of ones’ social standing. Today, owing to the various interpersonal and social situations we encounter, personal hygiene has taken up a much higher position on our priority list. This is also evident from the wide range of hygiene products that are available in the market. To avoid embarrassing social situations due to body odor or sweat stains, you need to use deodorants. If you are always on the go or meeting people on a frequent basis, a liberal use of deodorant is a must. Though deodorants help mask body odor, they are not antiperspirants and will not prevent perspiration. This is a good thing since we do not want to interfere with the body’s natural processes.

Since the bacteria is the real culprit of body odor, deodorants help by fighting the bacteria in the armpits and neutralizing the smell of sweat. The ingredients in deodorants kill the bacteria by turning the skin acidic. No bacteria equals no body odor. Considering the recent trend of natural and organic products, you might be tempted to try out as many natural and home remedies as possible, to get rid of body odor or to stop the incessant sweating. Apart from cleaning yourself properly, there are a lot of natural remedies/recipes available for making your own deodorant. There are products available which have natural ingredients like lavender which are helpful in masking the odor. Also, deodorants can be easily made at home from cornstarch and a variety of organic oils. However, they will work wonders only if your daily activities or job involves sitting in an air-conditioned room without moving much. Sadly, most of us, even the ones in sedentary jobs, go through many situations which lead to perspiration, even if it is just the 2 hour commute to and from our workplace. Natural remedies or recipes are not really cut out for such cases. Though you might have to stick with them in case you have sensitive skin.

In case you are looking for a stronger and persistent protection from body odor you might want to look at commercial deodorants. In general commercial deodorants aren’t favored by consumers since they contain certain harmful ingredients. One of the basic and most harmful ingredient commonly found in deodorants is Aluminum. Aluminum helps in stopping the sweat by clogging the pores. This is harmful since the closed pores lead to rashes and ingrown hairs. Although aluminum products are used extensively in our daily lives, its absorption into the body directly is a cause for worry since it increases the chances of breast cancer, brain disorders and even Alzheimer. The aluminum also poses a threat to the environment when washed off as it runs into the water. Along with aluminum, a few other ingredients to be avoided while selecting a deodorant are propylene glycol, parabens, formaldehyde and triclosan.

Thankfully, these days the environment conscious manufacturers like us have new products in their kitty. We have aluminum free deodorants which contain new ingredients that make them effective and safe to use as well. The deodorant contains no alcohol or hydrogenated oils either. The use of such products also prevent the discoloration under your arms, rashes and other painful lumps which are the usual side effects of other commercial products. One of the best aluminum free deodorants is the "Ma'at To Be Fresh Deodorant". A naturally fresh deodorant, it contains elements which are mild yet persistently effective. You get all day long freshness without compromising your health or the environment. True to its name, it keeps you bright, balanced and fresh!