What's That Rash? Should you opt for aluminium-free deodorant?
9 snips
Dec 30, 2025 Dive into the world of deodorants, where Norman and Tegan compare conventional and natural options. Discover how body odor is formed and why genetics play a role in who smells and who doesn't. Norman shares his allergy to regular deodorants and his success with crystal mineral salts. The hosts clarify the differences between deodorants and antiperspirants, addressing safety concerns around aluminium. They also explore the historical stigma of odor and the advertising that shaped our perceptions of smell.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Severe Reaction Led To Crystal Deodorant
- Norman Swan developed severe allergic reactions to many deodorants that caused bleeding in his armpits.
- He switched to crystal mineral-salt deodorants and has used them for years without trouble.
BO Depends On Genes And Bacteria
- Body odour arises when skin bacteria metabolise genetically determined sweat precursors.
- Some people (often with an ABCC11 mutation) do not produce these precursors and therefore have little or no BO.
Earwax Reveals BO Genetics
- Earwax type correlates with the ABCC11 gene and with body-odour production.
- Dry white earwax often accompanies low BO, showing pleiotropy of the same gene.