As the Mickey and Minnie Pumpkin halloween shirt and I will buy this wellness movement has increased bodily awareness and inspired us to to embrace traditionally less-thought-of parts of our physical being, underarm care has emerged as a new category, one that’s particularly intriguing as a year in lockdown has, for many of us, brought on an abundance of sweat stress. (Or is that just me?) The good news is, perspiration is absolutely a good thing—especially now.“For humans, the physiology of sweating is crucial to maintaining a safe and healthy body temperature,” says Alicia Zalka, M.D., dermatologist and founder of Surface Deep, who goes on to explain that we offset excess heat from our bodies by way of our built-in cooling mechanism. “When the body produces too much heat, sweat droplets from within sweat glands are produced,” she continues. “Through the portals of microscopic sweat ducts, moisture permeates on the skin surface. As the moisture of sweat meets the air by evaporation, it releases [and] heat and cooling takes place.”As important as sweating is to helping the body stay balanced, its outcomes aren’t always desirable—especially when there’s an excess of body odor. But what many don’t realize about sweat is that at its source, it has no smell. “It gains odor when the bacteria known as corynebacterium present on the skin interacts with the sweat and oils creating the smell we know as ‘body odor,’” explains Dr. Zalka. That’s where underarm care, from thorough cleansing and exfoliating to a refreshing deodorant, comes in: to not only to keep odor under control, but also contribute to your body’s overall well-being. Here, a guide to how you can detox and nourish your underarms.Underarms are a part of the body that’s considered an intertriginous zone, which means that due to the folding of the skin, it’s prone to being moist due to lack of airflow, and it can often harbor particular bacteria and fungal-yeast organisms. “Proper care and cleansing is important to reduce unwanted moisture and keep the natural balance of the microbiome,” explains Dr. Zalka. “Yet, doing so must be approached delicately.” She recommends washing your underarms once a day (no more, unless you have a very athletic or physically demanding job or hobby) and alternating between different pH-balanced body or underarm cleansers.Like the face, underarms can be impacted by skin sensitivity and irritation. According to Dr. Zalka, “too much oil, clogged pores, pimples (known as folliculitis), and a buildup of dead, dull, and sometimes discolored skin cells,” are all reasons exfoliation should extend below the neck. To this end, there are physical exfoliants, such as masks or scrubs that manually remove dead skin cells and debris, or chemical exfoliants such as toners that harness the power of AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs to gently melt away the buildup. To avoid irritation, Dr. Zalka is partial to the latter, and recommends using a glycolic toner (no more than 5% glycolic acid) to slough away dead skin and improve overall tone and texture, and/or using exfoliating deodorant pads such as Surface Deep’s innovative Anti-Odorant Pads, which team fruit-based glycolic acids with probiotics and antioxidant-rich ingredients to inhibit the bacteria that cause bad odor and reset the natural balance of the skin’s microbiome.If you choose to shave your underarms, think of doing so like skiing. “If not done on a smooth surface, you are skiing moguls and it is a bumpy experience,” explains Dr. Zalka. “You want to glide down to prevent razor ouches.” For a smooth shave, a shave gel (or at least a moisturizing cleanser) in a warm shower is critical to prevent razor burn and razor bumps, she emphasizes. If you’re prone to irritation or want to safeguard against ingrown hairs as much as possible, prep the night before. “Go to bed with a thin layer of moisturizer on the area you will be shaving,” instructs Dr. Zalka. “This will create a friction-free experience the next day.” Razor-wise, be sure to change your razor at least once every one to two weeks. “It’s expensive, but prevents problems!” Dr. Zalka emphasizes.In the same ways your face and body crave moisture, your underarms need hydration to look and feel their best. They just don’t need it quite as frequently. Since they are damp, Dr. Zalka recommends using a pH-balanced underarm or body lotion once or twice a week, or more as needed for dryness. Another tip for keeping underarms sooth and supple: “If you notice irritation, take a break from shaving and deodorant,” she says.In navigating the deodorant market, Dr. Zalka’s foremost advice is: Listen to your body. “If your deodorant is causing irritation or leaving too much residue on your skin and clothing, choose another.” If you want to take things to the next level, consider opting for one that is “clean and simple,” i.e. fragrance-free and avoiding phthalates, parabens, sulfates, or dyes. “Look for products with the fewest chemicals,” she says. “Isn’t that the case with the foods we eat too?” Additionally, unless you need to block moisture because you have excessive sweating (known as hyperhidrosis), Dr. Zalka advises avoiding aluminum in your deodorant. “Aluminum-containing antiperspirants are lifesavers for some, but we don’t all need aluminum in our day-to-day underarm care,” she explains. “It is possible to prevent odor without blocking sweat. Sweat is intentional; odor is preventable.”
Mickey and Minnie Pumpkin halloween shirt, hoodie, tank top, sweater and long sleeve t-shirt
In the Mickey and Minnie Pumpkin halloween shirt and I will buy this head-spinning age of multistep skin-care routines and mic-drop makeup launches, The One is a space for minimalists to sound off on the single beauty product that’s found a longtime spot in their carefully curated routines.Roam Vintage founder Natasha Zoë Garrett has the sort of organic beauty that lends well to her brand, both as an expression of a pared-down, highly curated ethos, and as a model for her own secondhand finds. Her shop is home to small batches of vintage (dropped weekly), nature-inspired accessories, an in-house collection, and home goods sourced from small-scale, local artisans and craftsman. “My approach to beauty is super minimal,” says Garrett, who favors ample hydration and sleep over the masking effects of makeup. In keeping with her appreciation for careful selection, Garrett’s routine is appropriately essential, scaled down to what works for her and nothing more. “I used to use creams and all of these different things, but my sister was an esthetician for awhile and really recommended oils as a way to both cleanse and moisturize skin,” says Garrett. “Once I switched over to an oil-based routine, I noticed a big improvement in the overall appearance of my skin—how soft and moisturized it was—and the youthfulness of my skin.” Garrett relies on pure rosehip oil, bought in bulk from Wild Terra, located in Los Angeles’s Highland Park neighborhood; for those not local to L.A., Oleo Botanicals 100% Pure Organic Rosehip Seed Oil offers an accessible alternative. “When I started using that as a cleanser and a moisturizer, I noticed a big difference, and my skin has been pretty healthy and clean and clear ever since.” For an added boost, Garrett blends the natural oil with Moon Juice Plump Jelly, the addition acting as an ultra-hydrating conductor. With a quick coat of Merit mascara, Garrett is ready for another day of vintage hunting, photographing, styling, and sharing. A reminder that keeping it simple can be the key to ensuring that any aesthetic—whether fashion, home, or beauty—endures.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.