The natural way
Syida Lizta Amirul Ihsan gives an aluminium-free deodorant a go and is impressed by its efficacy
COMMERCIAL deodorants contain aluminium, which plugs sweat glands to prevent sweating with a scent that makes the user smells good. Beauty naturalists abhor this product because aluminium is its active ingredient and some say the metal is absorbed into the body, which could trigger skin allergy, even cancer.
Those with sensitive skin also dislike deodorants. There could be tingling sensations or even skin reaction, largely due to the chemical ingredients.
I found an alternative but my oh my, it costs a bomb. The Melvita Purifying Deodorant is RM87, more expensive than the organic French brand’s shampoo and just slightly cheaper than its Argan Oil Body Milk. Commercial deodorants cost less than RM15 a pop for the same size.
The reason why organic deodorants cost so much is because to find compounds that work as good as aluminium is a difficult and expensive process.
Top that with using natural ingredients obtained through organic farming and consumers can expect to pay good money for them.
In place of aluminium, Melvita uses microporous silica, an absorbent ingredient.For antioxidant action, it uses essential oils - peppermint, sandalwood and thyme, all organic, of course — to combat body odour and dampness without blocking natural perspiration.
In other words, you might sweat a bit but you won’t stink. On first swipe, this deodorant is gentle, non-oily and just slightly cooling (thanks to peppermint oil).
The scent is faint but on the first day I tried it, I thought it didn’t do a good enough job to warrant that price tag.
I was sweating in the afternoon and the underarm smell on my body made Formulated without aluminium, the deodorant is gentle and efficient. me uneasy that I had to swipe my trusted aluminium-based Lady Speed Stik.
Things improved on the second day. I was smell-free until end of the day.
I like that it’s gentle on the skin — no stinging, no extra cooling feel, no nosepiercing scent. Performance wise, it improved.
One swipe in the morning is all it takes to keep me feeling fresh until night time. Perhaps the ingredients take a while to adapt to my body’s sweating routine but once it does, the protection it gives me is on par with that of aluminium-based deodorants.
The good part is this doesn’t stain clothes and doesn’t leave a film on your armpit. Your skin feels like your skin, minus the sweat smell.
The packaging says it gives 24-hour protection and after a week of trying it, the claim rings true to me, although on the first day I was sceptical.
My deodorant is still new, so I cannot say how long it will last. But I don’t have to roll it on so many times in the morning for a whole day’s protection. If that’s true, meaning it can last for months, then maybe the price isn’t so steep.
I would recommend this to those who are concerned with aluminium in their deodorants or those whose skin stings with the use of commercial deodorants. You will love the gentleness and efficacy of this one.
But because it’s pricey, perhaps Melvita can invest in producing tiny samples so customers can try it for a few days before forking out RM87 for this.