Sweat, odor & the power of deodorant cream
Sweating. Let's talk about it.
Sweating is something we all do. Every day. Sometimes more, sometimes less.
Most of the time, we barely notice it—until it smells bad or a wet spot appears on our shirt. But sweating is a pretty ingenious system. It protects us from overheating, regulates the body, and is even linked to the immune system.
And yet we still try to prevent it. With sprays, roll-ons, and active ingredients that seal off sweat glands.
But what exactly is happening under the skin? Why does sweat smell at all? And how can odor be regulated without disrupting the body's balance?
How sweat and odor arise
Sweating is an essential bodily function that does much more than just dissipate heat.
What sweating does for your body:
- Temperature regulation: Sweat evaporates from the skin and cools you down – a vital system, especially in hot weather or during physical exertion.
- Metabolic support: Micro-components such as salt, urea or lactic acid are also released through sweat – a supporting detox mechanism.
- Communication & Emotion: Studies show that we also radiate emotional stimuli through sweat – for example, when we are stressed or excited.
- Support of the immune system: The interaction of sweat and skin flora creates slightly acidic pH values that can inhibit pathogenic germs (nature.com).
Two different glandular systems control what, when and where something develops on our skin:
Eccrine glands: Our thermostats- Distributed all over the body (200–400/cm²), they produce clear, watery sweat that cools when it evaporates.
- Odor? None. This sweat doesn't contain any elements that can "smell"—it contains primarily water, salt, and small electrolytes.
- They are located in the armpits, genital area and breasts; their production starts at puberty.
- The secretion is rich in fat and protein and initially odorless. It is only broken down by bacteria, which then produce odor molecules.
So how does smell arise?
Did you know that on average, every square centimeter of underarm skin contains up to 10 million living microorganisms? This high density is due to the moist and warm environment of the armpits—an ideal environment for microorganism growth.
The typical smell of sweat occurs when apocrine secretion from bacteria is converted into volatile fatty acids.
And this is where deodorants come into play – to prevent exactly that.
Antiperspirant, deodorant or deodorant cream – what is the difference?
The terms are often confused, but they mean different things – with different mechanisms of action.
- Antiperspirant: An antiperspirant has a clear goal: to prevent sweating. Antiperspirants containing aluminum salts specifically suppress sweat production by blocking the glands. This may work in the short term, but the body loses an important regulatory tool. Sweat still finds its way out, and you often sweat more heavily in other areas. At the same time, the blocked glands can become irritated, disrupting the balance of the skin's flora, and in the long term, inflammation or skin problems can result.
- Deodorant: A classic deodorant doesn't prevent perspiration, but rather attempts to mask odor or reduce bacteria. Alcohol, synthetic fragrances, or antibacterial additives are often used for this purpose. These may have a short-term effect, but they often irritate the skin, especially after shaving or on sensitive skin.
What is actually in classic deodorants – and what should you avoid?
The list of ingredients on a conventional deodorant is often long – and not always easy to understand. Many of these substances are intended to neutralize odor, suppress perspiration, or increase the product's shelf life. But some of them have been criticized:
-
Aluminum salts:
- Close the sweat glands to stop sweating
- Can disrupt the skin barrier
- Suspected connection with diseases (e.g. breast cancer) is discussed
-
Alcohol:
- Used as an antibacterial component
- May dry, irritate or burn the skin
-
Synthetic fragrances:
- Mask odor
- Are considered a common trigger for contact allergies
-
Preservatives & Silicones:
- Extend shelf life, improve consistency
- Can leave microplastic residues or disrupt the skin flora
What makes our deodorant cream different – natural & effective
You might think that “natural” also means “less effective.”
Our deodorant cream shows the opposite.
- Sodium carbonate (baking soda): Lowers the pH of the skin – inhibits bacterial growth
- Magnesium hydroxide: Skin-friendly, regulates the acid-base balance
- Zinc oxide: Supports regeneration, has an antibacterial and soothing effect
- Diatomaceous earth (Kieselguhr): Absorbent but gentle
- Tapioca starch: Absorbs excess moisture – without talc
- Sage extract: Gently constricts the sweat glands – you sweat less, but not unnaturally little
- Coconut oil, jojoba oil, shea butter: nourishing, antibacterial, strengthen the skin barrier
- Essential oils (e.g. cedar, lime, lavender): Fresh scent with antibacterial effect
The principle:
We don’t block anything – we support your natural system.
Odors are prevented, not masked. Moisture is regulated, not displaced.
More than impact – sustainability & mindfulness
Our deodorant cream is not just a care product – it stands for conscious treatment of yourself and your environment.
Sustainable design – from the outside to the inside- Compostable, microplastic-free packaging
- Refill system – you don’t need a new can for a new fragrance
- Natural cosmetics-certified production
Applying with your fingers changes the handling:
Consciously, specifically, directly on your skin.
In a part of the body that rarely gets attention – even though it contains lymph nodes and is connected to your immune system.
No big ritual,
but a small impulse for mindfulness.
Sweating is natural – your deodorant should be too
Sweat is not something you have to fight.
It protects, regulates – and belongs to you.
What you can influence, however, is how you deal with it.
A good deodorant cream supports you:
- 🌿 with natural, effective ingredients
- 🧴 with a texture that provides pleasant protection
- ♻️ and with packaging that matches your values
OWIN stands for “Only What Is Needed”
– nothing more, nothing less.
👉 Discover our deodorant cream – conscious, effective, refillable.
Go to the product page now »
