SKINCARE HACKS : GLYCOLIC ACID IS A SAFER, MORE RELIABLE DEODORANT!
A few months back, I first discovered this bizarre skincare hack for Alpha Hydroxy Acid in an article on Racked called “The Best Natural Deodorant Is Acid”. The piece declared that using an AHA (or BHA) treatment featured in numerous “shelfies” as a deodorant was actually a thing — a safe, effective alternative to conventional deodorants. It sounded crazy at the time, but I had to know if it was legit. One of the products the article’s writer used was the Paula’s Choice Resist Weekly Resurfacing Treatment with 10% AHA. I just happened to have the exact product in my closet stash. It was meant to be! So I went for it.
Look, I have a love-hate relationship with Glycolic Acid, especially when it’s at a high 10% level — and I’m careful not to use it too often. But who doesn’t love a complete resurfacing of their skin that leaves the complexion glowing in the dark? That’s why the ultra popular AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution from Deciem's The Ordinary brand is now a cult favorite. And why, no matter what, I’m addicted to it, too.
As I reported back, I discovered that the hack actually works. And, months later, I’ve nearly made the transition complete.
I said nearly.
The only issue I’ve had with that Paula’s Choice 10% treatment is that it can slightly irritate the skin in my armpits from time to time. When it does, I just switch back to my uber manly Old Spice Red Zone Swagger. I'm not really much of an alarmist about deodorants and antiperspirants and I wasn’t on the hunt for a natural deodorant. I was open to it, though. Man, it sure is nice not to be using an aluminum-based deodorant that may bring on Alzheimer’s in a few years. I just want to smell manly, but not too manly.
It finally occurred to me that maybe 10% glycolic is too high for regular, daily deodorizing — beyond what’s needed to simply neutralize odor-causing bacteria. It’s certainly high for your face. So I thought I’d just take it down a notch to a 5% glycolic solution and see how it goes. I’m happy to report that I’ve now “graduated” down to a 5% Glycolic Acid pad from obscure Replenix Acne Solutions. One tiny pad of the Replenix Gly/Sal 5-2 Pads is all you need — one side for the left armpit, flip it over for the right. A swipe of glycolic in your armpits each morning means you’re odor-free for up to 72 hours.
I wasn’t kidding then and I’m not kidding now! I’ve simply perfected the hack.
Go ahead, man, give a try.
🖤 SKINCARMA
The Ingredient List of Replenix Gly-Sal 5-2 Pads:
Purified Water, Glycolic Acid, SD Alcohol (13& V/v), Witch Hazel, Ammonium Hydroxide, Polysorbate-20, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Acetone, Imidazolidinyl Urea.