Many of us didn’t even know there was a controversy. However, my mom has been trying to get me to try more natural, “healthier” deodorants for the longest time. I finally understand why, and I think that you should too.
Obviously, none of us want to be in the middle of a workout and feel self-conscious because of how badly we’re sweating, or be stuck wondering whether or not that smell is us. There are enough other things a girl needs to worry about at that gym, such as whether or not we’re really going to resist eating a chocolate chip cookie after dinner tonight, or if this whole workout feat is really just meant to cancel out those calories. Thus, we religiously apply deodorant before entering the gym to minimize these concerns and allow ourselves to focus on making our bodies healthier, right? Wrong.
Sweating, as gross as it may appear to be, is actually really important—it acts as an essential part of being healthy, especially in the gym. Our bodies sweat to release toxins that lie beneath our skin and to regulate our body temperatures, which are sensitive to change. There is a very small range of temperatures at which our bodies can comfortably thrive, and in order to maximize our workout capacity, we need to allow our bodies to sweat freely, keeping us in this ideal zone.
So, how does deodorant relate to all of this? Well, the majority of mainstream deodorants also function as antiperspirants, which means that they contain chemicals (primarily aluminum) that are specifically meant to clog our pores, preventing us from sweating and masking odor, as well as restricting our bodies’ ability to keep us from overheating.
An article from ESPN argues: “Since your armpits aren’t the only place you have sweat glands, your body can still find a way to lower your body temperature if you get too hot while exercising. So, as long as you can wear antiperspirant while working out without overheating, you can feel good about slathering it on to prevent odor.”
However, different sources give varying advice on this matter. Regardless of what sources say, it’s something worth considering: whether or not it’s worth it to use these preventative deodorants while working out.
Perhaps a happy compromise lies with aluminum-free deodorants, which are meant to reduce the odors produced by sweating, but still allow for sweating. Taking gray out of your workout wardrobe to avoid obvious pit stains, and trying out a more natural, aluminum-free deodorant, such as Tom’s of Maine Beautiful Earth Deodorant or Nature’s Gate Deodorant, could be the next thing that you incorporate into your workout routine.
Also, remember that there’s something really sexy about sweating in the gym. Sweat means that you’re actually working hard. You’re pushing your body and striving to be healthier, and you’re there for more than just taking a selfie in the mirror to pretend that you’re working out. You have to earn sweat—you might as well show it off a little!