Apr 20

Apr 20 SKINCARE HACKS : Can this cult fave AHA work as a deodorant? 🤭

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My fave weekly AHA treatment from Deciem's The Ordinary brand — the ultra popular AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution.

How could a potent exfoliating acid like AHA or BHA possibly be an effective deodorant? 🤔 That's not what you'd normally use an Alpha Hydroxy Acid or Beta Hydroxy Acid for, right? It's no secret that I have my fave weekly AHA treatment — the ultra popular AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution from Deciem's The Ordinary brand. And as part of my nightly regimen for the past 6 weeks or so, my new go-to moisturizer is the delicious-smelling (I don't know what it is, but I always sniff the open jar!) and phenomenally effective Alpha Beta Exfoliating Moisturizer from my good friends at Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare.

Look, I'm not really much of an alarmist about deodorants and antiperspirants. I'm not on the hunt like many people reasonably are for a natural deodorant. Though I admit I tried rubbing one of those weird-ass crystals into my armpits, too. No thanks! Honestly, I just want my armpits to smell manly — in a good way. As crazy as this sounds, I literally discovered my favorite trusted deodorant in the men's room of a NYC bistro in the Flatiron District 6-7 years ago. One of the waiters had just come out as I was going in and had left his Old Spice Red Zone Swagger, on the open shelf above the sink. Of course I opened it and sniffed it. I sniff everything. I was hooked!

So I hadn't been planning on changing out my deodorant. I do smell manly enough and I'm comfortable with the level of perspiration I experience without the use of an anti-perspirant. But, after reading this bizarre article on Racked a few weeks back, I have to admit I was more than a little intrigued. Titled “The Best Natural Deodorant Is Acid”, the piece declared a new skincare hack — using an AHA (or BHA) treatment featured in numerous shelfies as, well, a deodorant. It sounds bat shit crazy but I had to know if it was legit! One of the products the article’s writer used and mentioned in her piece is the Paula’s Choice Resist Weekly Resurfacing Treatment with 10% AHA. I just happened to have the exact product in my closet stash. So I went for it! I started out discreetly, trying it over a more secluded weekend, when I had no brunch or dinner plans in the City. At least if it turned out to be more hoax than hack, I’d encounter fewer people who’d be giving me the side-eye. 👀

After showering, I dispensed about the same amount of the watery liquid as I’d normally use on my face into my palms and rubbed them together. I then smoothed it directly into my armpits, being sure to rub it in well. I was anticipating the kind of stinging you experience with a high-level glycolic acid. No sensation at all, and it dried almost instantly.

So, does the hack work?

Yes. It. Does. Three weeks later, day in and day out, zero odor! I've gotten used to not even thinking about it now. I trust the Paula's Choice glycolic acid treatment to work as a deodorant as much as the Swagger I discovered in that men's room years ago. Seriously this wild Racked AHA deodorant hack is legit.

Go ahead, give it a try. I dare you!

🖤 SKINCARMA