FAQ – Desti Deodorant and Shaving Balm

Desti Deodorant has a patent-pending formula whose active substances are salt and bicarbonate. Salt inhibits bacterial growth, which can be responsible for unpleasant smells, while bicarbonate absorbs odors. The antiperspirant effect is the result of a combination of salt and propanediol.

Most people swap from aluminum-based to salt-based deodorant without any problems. However, there are certain differences to be aware of. A deodorant with aluminum creates an acidic environment in the armpit (low pH value), and the skin may be affected by the aluminum for several days after last use. A salt and bicarbonate-based deodorant instead creates a weakly alkaline environment (higher pH value). Our scientists explain that the salt and bicarbonate in Desti may react with any remaining aluminum. This may show up as red, irritated skin. In rare cases, blisters may also develop. This reaction can be mistaken for allergies, but the body already has salt in it, so you would not be allergic. Bicarbonate does not cause any allergies either. The reaction is therefore simply irritation. If you experience even the slightest discomfort, we recommend you to avoid using deodorant for a few days. You may use Desti Shaving Balm to moisturize and strengthen your skin. The aluminum will then have been eliminated from your body and you can try Desti Deodorant again. Use the shaving balm at night time and the deodorant in the mornings, ideally on damp skin to dilute the salt slightly. Normal skin will tolerate Desti without any discomfort. Once your skin is used to it, Desti can usually also be used on sensitive skin. WARNING! Never use deodorant straight after shaving, hair removal or laser treatment. This is applicable to both aluminum-based and salt-based deodorant. You can find out more in the section ‘Do you experience soreness or irritation after using Desti Deodorant?’. We hope this information will help you discover the advantages and enjoy using your aluminum-free deodorant.

Salt occurs naturally in the body, but can cause pain after shaving, or if your skin is sensitive or irritated. If you experience pain, use Desti Shaving Balm to moisturize and restore the skin’s normal balance.

Desti has been clinically tested, with the following results: “The product did not cause any reported side effects.” Download the report here (in Swedish). People with dry and sensitive skin may, however, still experience some stinging during use.

This may be because you have recently shaved your underarms, or had laser hair removal or used another hair removal method. The hair follicles can be easily inflamed. The salt can travel into the damaged hair follicles and cause irritation and potentially also blisters. This may also be due to the fact that you have naturally sensitive or thin skin. The normal function of the deodorant is to transport salt away into the sweat glands using Propandiol as the excipient. In the sweat glands, the salt ‘clumps’ together slightly and provides the antiperspirant effect. Salt can sting in wounds, no matter how small. If you experience irritation, use Desti Shaving Balm to re-moisturize and restore the skin’s normal balance.On normal and unbroken skin, Desti Deodorant works excellently – without any discomfort.

Desti Deodorant is available in three fragrances which are suitable for all occasions, and for both men and women. Choose the fragrance that suits your personal style.
Desti Orange Label: Youthful and fruity.
Desti Turquoise Label: Fresh and sporty.
Desti Yellow Label: Sophisticated and elegant.

GMP stands for “Good Manufacturing Practices”, and means that the manufacturing process meets strict hygiene and system requirements. Read more on the Swedish Medical Products Agency homepage (in Swedish).

The products are currently available at Apotea.se (Sweden) and Apotekhjem.no (Norway). More pharmacies follows.

LIST OF INGREDIENTS: AQUA, SODIUM CHLORIDE, PROPANEDIOL, STEARETH-2, SODIUM BICARBONATE, TAPIOCA STARCH POLYMETHYLSILSESQUIOXANE, DICAPRYLYL CARBONATE, STEARETH-21, ISODODECANE, NEOPENTYL GLYCOL DIHEPTANOATE, PARFUM, POLYQUATERNIUM-7

As far as we know, Desti Deodorant is the world’s first salt-based antiperspirant. The patent-pending formula is free from aluminum, triclosan and parabens, substances which are considered by some to be harmful to health and present in most antiperspirant deodorants on the market.

If you have used aluminum-based deodorant for a long time, you may have a total blockage of your sweat glands. Normally, the aluminum will leave your body within three days, but the body’s waste products remain in your lymph glands. If you then avoid using deodorant for a while, these waste products will also be eliminated from your body. The result will be an odor of sweat and other bad smelling substances that can occur for up to a week, whilst your body cleanses itself from the impurities. If you use Desti at the same time, the combination can cause varying degrees of irritation in the armpit, as the salt and bicarbonate react with other substances. Avoid using Desti until the body has eliminated the waste products and then begin by using small amounts, then increase as needed, ideally in combination with Desti Shaving Balm at night. Please also read ‘How does my body get used to a salt-based deodorant?’ under FAQs.We hope you enjoy your aluminum-free Desti Deodorant.

No, it leaves no permanent stains. Staining occurs when the aluminum in conventional deodorants reacts with iron and manganese in water and brightening agents in detergents. Because Desti is free from aluminum, it does not cause permanent stains on clothes.

The moisture produced during exercise is a natural reaction to the deodorant, which inhibits the growth of bacteria and reduces sweat secretion to a balanced level. Our lymph nodes, some of which are located under the arms, act as part of the body’s waste disposal system. They discharge substances so that the body can naturally rid itself of waste products. When you exert yourself during exercise, Desti allows these unwanted substances through. With conventional deodorants, the pores are clogged with aluminum, preventing the skin from breathing naturally and allowing waste products to move around the body.

One of Desti’s advantages is that the deodorant allows the body to breathe, rather than clogging the pores of the skin. At the same time, the body functions differently from day to day, depending on its nervous state, stress and other factors. Therefore, on some days, the secretion of sweat and other substances can be higher, giving rise to undesirable odors. To prevent this, you can apply a thicker layer of deodorant so that the active substances work all day long. It is preferable not to put on a skin-tight sweater straight after application, as the deodorant may stick to the fabric and lose some of its effectiveness. Under normal conditions, Desti is effective for at least 24 hours.

As they approach puberty, children can often start to sweat under the arms. Desti Deodorant products are gentle and effective, which means that even young children can use them.

Yes, Desti has been tested in an efficacy study, with the following results: “In tests, the active preparation showed a significant sweat inhibiting effect for up to 8 hours after application. It was also shown to produce a significantly more pleasant odor for up to 8 hours after the last application. The product has therefore shown a significant effect as both an antiperspirant and a deodorant.” Download the full report here (in Swedish).

LIST OF INGREDIENTS: AQUA, GLYCERIN, PROPANEDIOL, ISOPROPYL PALMITATE, DIMETHICONE, CETYL ALCOHOL, C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE, PHENOXYETHANOL, GLYCERYL STEARATE, PEG-100 STEARATE, DIMETHICONOL, STEARYL ALCOHOL, CETEARYL GLUCOSIDE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, HYDROXYETHYL ACRYLATE/SODIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYL TAURATE COPOLY, SQUALANE, ALLANTOIN, PEG-40 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, XANTHAN GUM, BISABOLOL, LACTIC ACID, ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, POLYSORBATE 60, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, BIOSACCHARIDE GUM-1.