As temperatures and humidity levels rise, so do the chances of excessively perspiring.
This can lead to some sticky situations. Some people suffer from a medical condition called hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, while others perspire from parts of the body not covered by traditional deodorants, such as the palms, back of the neck, back and inner thighs. Fortunately, full-body deodorants can help reduce sweating and the embarrassment of damp patches and odour.
In the UAE, beauty brands including Lume, Nuxe and Dove offer full-body deodorants, while Dandydill Way has an option suitable for children and adolescents. Here’s what you need to know and look out for.
What is a full-body deodorant?
“Body deodorants are usually used for areas such as the feet, groin and skin folds on certain parts of the body,” says Dalya Sager, a skin expert and senior medical aesthetician in Dubai. “Full-body deodorants work by eliminating odour by containing compounds with antibacterial properties and by absorbing the sweat as opposed to stopping sweating altogether, which hinders body temperature regulations.
“Such deodorants should contain skin-friendly, non-irritant ingredients such as sodium bicarbonate, corn starch, mandelic acid, tea tree oil, peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil. Compounds such as fragrances, parabens, phthalates, propylene and sodium lauryl sulfate, which may be found in normal deodorants, should be avoided.”
Full-body deodorants are available in sticks, creams and sprays and are designed to be used on areas of the skin where traditional underarm deodorants or antiperspirants are not recommended. The ingredients in full-body deodorants take into account differences in skin thickness and sensitivity.
“Search for products that contain sodium bicarbonate and corn starch as they aid in reducing moisture levels to inhibit the growth of bacteria,” says Dr Dilruba Begum Mujavar Shaik, specialist dermatologist, at RAK Hospital. “Antimicrobial components like benzyl peroxide wash can aid in reducing bacterial proliferation on the skin.”
Can you use underarm deodorant on your body?
Deodorants designed to be used under the arms are specifically formulated for the skin in the armpit area, which has more sweat glands and hair than most other parts of the body.
“These formulations may be too harsh or irritating for other areas, especially more sensitive skin like that on the face or private parts,” says Dr Ankita Tuknayat, a specialist dermatologist at Aster Clinic in Dubai. “Many underarm deodorants contain antiperspirants like aluminium compounds, which help reduce sweating. These compounds can clog pores. When used on larger skin areas, they might cause irritation or more severe skin reactions.”
Dr Shaik adds: “Different areas of the body require varying formulations in order to cater to the needs of full-body deodorants. Additional ingredients, such as more potent fragrances or moisture-absorbing components, might be included in these products to cater to areas that tend to perspire more than the underarms. Certain full-body deodorants may prioritise antimicrobial properties to address the growth of bacteria in regions with increased sweat accumulation.”
Antiperspirant versus deodorant
Deodorants are designed to mask body odour, while antiperspirants contain aluminium compounds that are used to reduce or stop the amount of sweat. Many products are a mix of antiperspirant and deodorant, with stronger antiperspirants available on prescription for those suffering from hyperhidrosis.
“Hyperhidrosis is mainly caused by faulty nerve signals that trigger sweat glands to become overactive,” says Sager. “There is no known medical cause for this type of hyperhidrosis, it is hereditary and due to genetic factors.”
Shaik notes: “Sweating plays a crucial role in maintaining body temperature. However, if all sweat glands are blocked, there is a risk of overheating as sweating helps cool down the body. It is important to focus on applying deodorant to areas that lack proper ventilation and are susceptible to odour due to limited air circulation. However, it is also necessary to allow some sweat in other areas to maintain the body's natural functions.”
Prolonged use of products that are high in aluminium compounds can cause skin irritation, discolouration or pigmentation.
“There’s been a concern in the past that if the skin absorbs these aluminium compounds, they can cause cancer,” says Dr Akreti Sobti, dermatologist and aesthetic physician at Athena Dermatology. “However, according to the American Cancer Society, there’s no clear link between cancer and aluminium.”
Can adolescents use full-body deodorants?
Puberty and adolescence bring about many changes in the teenage body, including an increase in perspiration as hormones cause sweat glands to become more active.
“As they approach puberty, children experience a surge in hormones. This often leads to a change in body odour, which can make them self-conscious,” says Tanya Rodney, founder of children’s eco-grooming brand Dandydill Way. “Sweat is odourless, but the bacteria on our skin feed on sweat and then excrete odour-causing chemicals.”
As well as deodorants for underarms and the body, dermatologists suggest showering twice a day while using antibacterial soaps and dressing in loose-fitting clothes made from moisture-wicking fabrics such as linen, organic cotton and merino wool.
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
Small%20Things%20Like%20These
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Tim%20Mielants%3Cbr%3ECast%3A%20Cillian%20Murphy%2C%20Emily%20Watson%2C%20Eileen%20Walsh%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
THREE
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Nayla%20Al%20Khaja%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Jefferson%20Hall%2C%20Faten%20Ahmed%2C%20Noura%20Alabed%2C%20Saud%20Alzarooni%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE squad to face Ireland
Ahmed Raza (captain), Chirag Suri (vice-captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmad, Zawar Farid, CP Rizwaan, Aryan Lakra, Karthik Meiyappan, Alishan Sharafu, Basil Hameed, Kashif Daud, Adithya Shetty, Vriitya Aravind
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
