What causes underarm odour?

Our bodies excrete two types of perspiration: Eccrine and Apocrine perspiration

Eccrine perspiration helps lower the body temperature when your body gets warm from exercise or simply from warm weather. Apocrine perspiration is produced in the underarms, groin as well as hands, and feet to manage temperature.

Both Eccrine and Apocrine perspiration types are odourless!

However, apocrine perspiration contains fat and proteins that odour causing bacteria feed upon. Bacteria thrives in the moist, low pH environment of underarms. Washing with alkaline soaps exacerbates the issue as the natural acid mantle produced by your underarms is removed. Also shaving or waxing your armpits further aids in bacterial growth by removing the hairs that naturally wick moisture away from the skin surface.

Simply, underarms provide a wonderful environment for odour causing bacteria. The challenge is to manage the odour by managing the bacteria, managing perspiration or both!

Understanding deodorants and antiperspirants.

Deodorants and antiperspirants are not one and the same as they have differing objectives. Deodorants target the odour causing bacteria that feed on perspiration. Antiperspirants target the sweat ducts to stop perspiration denying bacteria a free feed.

Traditional deodorants do little to stop perspiration. These deodorants often contain alcohol or chelant (chemical compound) that make your underarms inhospitable to the marauding bacteria that want to make your underarms home. They may include antibacterial chemicals to kill the bacteria before it gets totally out of control, and you start losing friends!

Antiperspirant’s primary objective is to eliminate perspiration. Without perspiration, the growth of bacteria is inhibited. Antiperspirant deodorants work by causing the sweat ducts in the armpits to close. Closing the sweat ducts means the flow of moisture to the skin is reduced or even eliminated.

Antiperspirant deodorants generally contain active ingredients including aluminum chloride, aluminum chlorohydrate complexes, and aluminum zirconium complexes. In addition, they contain antibacterial, fragrant, and moisturising ingredients.

Antiperspirant deodorants are a simple solution to the problem of managing underarm odour. Simply no perspiration, no odour!

se. No perspiration, no odour!

Why are people moving from traditional deodorants?

The skin absorbs around sixty percent of substances we apply to the skin. This is called dermal absorption and is the transport of a chemical from the outer surface of the skin both into the skin and into the body.

There is growing concern about the effects of chemical compounds and their absorption into the body. Given that antiperspirants contain aluminium, a growing number of people want to avoid these traditional products. 

In addition, there is a lymph node located in each underarm that works to filter harmful substances.  People look to natural deodorants so that the potential for chemical substances being absorbed by the skin is eliminated.

Why use a natural deodorant?

There is a trend to using natural ingredients generally and reducing chemicals in one’s life.

Under-arms may well be the last frontier! However, few of us are prepared to compromise on underarm odour. If unmanaged, bacteria that develops in this underarm moisture causes odour, so a natural solution is sought by people as an alternative to traditional deodorants and antiperspirants.

Why Cove natural deodorant?

Our customers had asked us for a superior natural deodorant that was effective in managing underarm odour without the use of baking soda. The decision was made to use organic ingredients to avoid the potential of chemicals in the natural ingredients because of poor farming or processing practices.

After extensive research and testing, Cove has created a collection of deodorants that keep you smelling fresh, manage perspiration and avoid skin irritation by being baking soda free. Of course, Cove does not test on animals therefore is cruelty free. All our products are vegan, and our natural deodorant is no exception. The result is arguably the best natural deodorant that is effective in managing perspiration odour. Also being baking soda free that other natural deodorants use means Cove deodorants are suitable for people with sensitive skin.

Getting started with a natural deodorant

Moving to a natural deodorant is taking hold as people decide to move to a chemical free life. We are not here to convince you why natural deodorants are a better alternative. The fact you are reading this, is probably you have already decided that using an antiperspirant to block perspiration was not in the original operating instructions for your body.

The move to a natural deodorant after using an antiperspirant deodorant does need a little planning, as after a long time of suppressing under arm perspiration a small party of bacteria may begin to celebrate the new beginning.

Cove natural deodorants

Cove deodorants are not only natural most of their ingredients are organic. Cove deodorants are not only completely natural but are effective in managing perspiration odour as well as helping to keep you dry.

Cove deodorants use Zinc Oxide and Magnesium Oxide for added underarm protection. Both Zinc Oxide and Magnesium Oxide occur naturally and are safe on skin whilst providing antibacterial control and reducing possible odour.

Underarm detox

Simply, apply Witch Hazel to your armpits with a cotton ball after showering. Leave for a few minutes before applying your favourite Cove deodorant. Witch Hazel can be purchased from health stores and good pharmacies.

There is also the option to apply an underarm detox before your shower and leave for fifteen minutes to wipe out the bacteria. Use Witch Hazel or Tea Tree oil for a week. Both are available in supermarkets and specialty stores.

Applying Cove deodorant 

Apply a pea size amount of Cove deodorant to the underarms after showering. Apply as required during the day as needed as this is not an antiperspirant. The ingredients work together to manage perspiration and the odour creating bacteria.   

Cove uses Magnesium Hydroxide and Zinc Oxide for managing perspiration and odour. Sodium Bicarbonate that features in some deodorants is not used by Cove due to the potential skin reactions in some people.

Cove deodorant features

The strategy is to meet the needs of customers who want a 100% natural essential oil fragranced deodorant and those that want one of our stunning designer fragrances.

Cove deodorants are made from organic natural ingredients exceptfor the minerals of Magnesium Hydroxide, and Zinc Oxide. Cove deodorants use Zinc Oxide and Magnesium Oxide for added underarm protection. They occur naturally and are safe on skin providing antibacterial control and reducing possible odour.

• Organic Coconut Oil
• Organic Arrowroot Powder
• Organic Shea Butter
• Organic Bees Wax
• Organic Sunflower Oil
• Organic Bentonite Clay

Cove uses Betonite Clay over Kaolin Clay as the key difference between the two is that Kaolin Clay forms as a result of weathering of aluminium silicate minerals whereas bentonite clay forms from volcanic ash. Betonite Clay has very high absorbing powers and easily attracts positively charged impurities, chemicals, and toxins. Betonite Clay also absorbs up to 300-700% of its mass in water which makes it an ideal ingredient for deodorants, compared to Kaolin Clay at 65%.

Cove deodorants are completely natural and effective in managing perspiration odour as well as helping to keep you dry. Note that these natural deodorants and not antiperspirants.

Cove deodorants are naturally fragranced

Whilst many commercial manufacturers may use synthetic fragrances, Cove uses either essential oils or designer fragrances created with plant-based scents to fragrance our deodorants.

The deodorants that are fragranced with our designer fragrances have the tag line: 100% Natural Ingredients with Fragrance. The deodorants that are fragranced with essential oils have the tag line: 100% Natural Ingredients.

Choose one of the Cove deodorants fragranced with essential oils or fragranced with a triple scented fragrance. The fragrances are high quality and gentle on the skin.

Managing perspiration naturally

Cove uses Magnesium Hydroxide and Zinc Oxide for managing perspiration and odour. Sodium Bicarbonate that features in other natural deodorants is not used by Cove due to the potential skin reactions in some people.

Sodium Bicarbonate

Sodium Bicarbonate which is commonly called Baking Soda is used in many natural deodorants to control odour. Baking Soda, also known as Bicarbonate of Soda, which is found in most pantries, is an alkaline or salt that contrasts with the acidity (pH value) of the skin.

Although it effectively neutralises bacteria, baking soda strips the natural moisture barrier of the skin, causing irritation, dryness, and discolouration. There is also potential for allergic reaction. Rather than buying a product and find that you have a reaction to it, Cove just does not use it in its formulations.

Magnesium Hydroxide

Magnesium Hydroxide is an inorganic compound that occurs in nature as the mineral brucite. Studies show that Magnesium Hydroxide is not absorbed by the skin. Its main purpose in a natural deodorant is to counteract odour causing bacteria on the surface of the skin without impacting the dermis; the layer of skin where sweat glands, pores and hair follicles are contained.

When used alongside other natural ingredients like arrowroot powder, zinc, shea butter, or coconut oil, a deodorant with Magnesium Hydroxide can provide long-lasting freshness, without the risk of skin irritation.

Zinc Oxide

Zinc Oxide occurs naturally as the mineral zincite, however, most Zinc Oxide is produced synthetically. Zinc Oxide is an inorganic white powder that has antimicrobial properties which help combat underarm odour caused by bacteria.

Zinc Oxide in natural deodorants is a great alternative to traditional deodorants without the risk of skin irritation. It partners well with Magnesium Hydroxide to provide odour protection.

Cove uses a combination of Magnesium Hydroxide and Zinc Oxide with natural and organic ingredients to provide an effective deodorant.