Various people have sung the praises of utilizing glycolic acid as a deodorant throughout social media platforms. The TikTok hashtag #glycolicacidasdeodorant, which has 12.7 million views on the time I am scripting this, is filled with customers raving about how their armpits stopped smelling as soon as they began utilizing the acid.
Earlier than we get into evaluating whether or not it might probably safely operate as a deodorant, first, let’s tackle the fundamentals. Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that brightens and smooths the pores and skin by way of chemical exfoliation. Of the AHAs that exist, glycolic acid has the smallest particle dimension, so “it’s the strongest and efficient since it might probably penetrate our pores and skin the most effective,” Pittsburg-based board-certified dermatologist Lindsey Zubritsky, MD, beforehand shared with Attract. That explains why it is beloved for lightening darkish spots and firming the pores and skin to scale back high-quality strains and wrinkles.
Many TikTokers have particularly highlighted The Odd’s Glycolic Acid 7 P.c Firming Answer because the product that modified the sport. Customers sometimes add just a few drops to a cotton pad or their palms earlier than swiping it onto their pits. One consumer even transferred the answer to a smaller spray bottle for simpler utility.
However is the AHA helpful as a deodorant? Type of. Connecticut-based board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, confirms that glycolic acid can, certainly, assist forestall that dreaded sweaty pit stench. “It sheds lifeless pores and skin cells and lowers the pores and skin pH in order that the micro organism [that causes body odor] cannot survive,” she explains. Thus, the acid can depart your pits scent-free.
Nevertheless, Dr. Gohara says that glycolic acid will not cease your underarms from sweating as a result of it lacks the important thing sweat-blocking ingredient: aluminum salt. So for those who do not wish to take care of sweaty pits particularly, keep on with an antiperspirant.
Dr. Gohara suggests making use of the acid after showering as a result of it ought to be used on clear pits. “The entire thought is to maintain the odor-producing micro organism at bay, so making use of [the acid] when the odor is already brewing might not be as efficient,” she explains. She believes making use of glycolic acid with biodegradable pads is finest as a result of it minimizes how lengthy the answer is touching the pores and skin, which in flip can cut back potential irritation.
Add Comment