Remember the stinky kid in elementary school class? You might even begin to vividly remember the smell as if it were yesterday. Well, many kids aren’t ready to start using antiperspirants, but by the time your body hits puberty, it becomes essential for anyone with sweat glands (unless you like being the stinky kid, but that’s an article for another day).
When you hear “antiperspirant” you may immediately equate it to deodorant – a but hold up, friends. The two are actually different. There are deodorants that don’t contain and antiperspirant and vice versa.
So why are antiperspirants particularly impactful? Well, when you break down the name, it’s pretty simple – these formulas literally stop you from sweating. These combine the power of aluminum to wipe out the stink, rather than just mask it the way deodorants do.
But if you are skin-sensitive, you know the struggle of finding an antiperspirant that can target the smelliness while not disturbing your underarm area. The thin, delicate skin in that region is extremely susceptible to irritation and allergic reactions – a plus, there isn’t a whole lot of airflow to that dark, warm and moist area of the body which is an open invitation for bacteria.
Grossed out? If you have sensitive armpit skin, you are probably more frustrated than anything. And for years you have attempted to eliminate the stench to no avail. Have faith, you sensitive little angels. The antiperspirant world heard your cries and brands began developing products especially for you.
But before we go on to a list of our recommendations, let’s discuss some of the ingredients that will be most appropriate for you.
Aluminum
As aforementioned, this is THE power-packed ingredient that wafts away those fumes because it literally clogs pores, serving as a barrier for sweat to stay put. But because this ingredient is so active, it can really do a number on your gentle, special needs skin. When shopping for an antiperspirant, you want to find something with a low dosage of aluminum.
Alcohol
Alcohol is used in so many things, it can seem like an essential ingredient for any product that actually works. Not so! Alcohol commonly squelches and dissolves antiperspirants because it dries quickly and thus, dries out your already Sahara-like skin. Alcohol is typically found in gels, roll-ons, and sprays, so if you’ve been using these and noticing a direct effect on the sensitivity of your underarms, opt for an antiperspirant stick. Many of these don’t contain alcohol at all.
Fragrance
This falls into a character of no particular formulation at all. Manufacturers actually use the term to get by FDA issues as it could mean it contains any number of chemical agents. And while it does mask the scent, it also causes a lot of skin sensitivities and rashes. If you examine your antiperspirant ingredient list and see the words fragrance, parfum or perfume – this could be the main cause of your irritation.
So, what are you left with as most mainstream products contain all of these? Many rely on a dusting of baking soda to control oil and odor, but that may not always be effective either. We’ve researched some of the best antiperspirants available that could lead you to a world of relief. Here are our top choices:
Top 5 Antiperspirants:
One of the most widely available and budget-friendly options, Suave provides you with 24 hours of being stink-free with this popular stick. It’s fresh, powdery, and glides on without residue or staining your clothes. The wetness protection of this invisible solid is a staple for those with sensitive skin.
Another drugstore steal, this combination antiperspirant, and deodorant soothes and softens for comfortable underarms. This spray provides 48-hour protection, this moisturizing product was meant to be kind to your skin. It’s alcohol-free and contains crisp cucumber, juicy pear, and honeydew melon blended with green tea, white muquet, and aquatic jasmine.
Almay is a favorite because it is renowned for its hypoallergenic collection of hygiene products. It’s specifically dermatologist-tested for sensitive skin properties. The fragrance- and alcohol-free antiperspirant-deodorant is a quick-drying gel that is oh so gentle. Reviewers love it because it won’t cause rashes and leaves you feeling nice and odor-free.
This water-based formula won’t burn, sting or itch. It’s so delightfully gentle that you can use it after shaving, and, the extra bonus? It actually improves the appearance of your underarm complexion! No wetness, no odor, no-nonsense.
The quick-drying formula is allergy tested, non-irritating, fragrance-free, dye-free, gluten-free, and isn’t tested on animals. It is a doctor-developed pleasing treatment that is most easily found on Amazon.
Those with sensitive skin can always rely on Tom’s for effective, yet mineral- and plant-derived protection. The sustainably sourced aluminum keeps you sweat-free and stink-free and the added benefit is the heavenly coconut lavender scent. If you’ve tried it all and nothing seems to work, put your money on Tom’s and wait for it to prove it’s worth.
Conclusion
And there you have some of the best buys when it comes to antiperspirants catering to the sensitive skin crowd. You have given up on finding something, but it’s time to give some of these a go to find your favorite. No more suffering – you can knock out odor and dryness with any from this highly-effective lineup! Finally, a little underarm ease!
