No flies on me (Bionsen Deodorant Spray)

Member Name: bollinger28

Product:	Bionsen Deodorant Spray
Date:	02/01/06 (3080 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Health benefits

Disadvantages: Wet armpits and constant waft of fly spray smell

It's a rather unpleasant fact of life, but breast cancer is on the increase in UK. There can’t be many people that do not know of at least one friend, relative or acquaintance that is fighting (or has tragically lost) a battle with this insidious disease. In my circle, a colleague lost her 65 year mother last year, an old school friend lost his 66 year old mother, and one of my colleagues, aged 45, is currently undergoing chemotherapy. When something that you thought "only happens to other people" starts to encroach on your own life, it does make you take stock and look to the future. Ever increasing articles in the press about possible links between the chemicals in anti-perspirants and deodorants causing breast cancer lead me to do a little research.

~ THE CASE ~
In the UK alone, breast cancer cases have increased by 50% from approximately 20,000 cases in the late 1970's to around 40,000 cases per annum now. Sadly, Britain has one of the world's highest rates of the disease and every year almost 13,000 British women die from it. I must stress that there is NO CONCLUSIVE evidence of any link between a rising breast cancer rate in this country and our use of deodorants, but many scientists are pointing an accusing finger in this direction. Evidently, Britain is amongst the highest users of deodorants, and between us we spend over £300 million per annum on them (and that's despite our relatively cold climate). Whilst it's nice to know that we are one of the more hygienic nationalities, some to the chemicals found in our deodorants may be causing us long-term damage.

~ WHO OR WHAT ARE BIONSEN ? ~
Bionsen is a brand name for some of the personal care range under the umbrella of Italian company Guaber SpA. The Bionsen range of skincare products are all formulated with a balance of essential minerals such as zinc, copper and manganese. Evidently these are the nutrients needed by our skin in order to maintain a healthy PH balance. These essential minerals are found in the highest concentrations in the world in Japanese volcanic spas, called "onsen", hence the name Bionsen. The Japanese swear by bathing in these spas to nourish their skin.

~ WHAT'S SO GOOD ABOUT THEIR DEODORANTS ? ~
Whilst there is no conclusive evidence that aluminium in deodorants causes cancer, Bionsen have decided to eliminate it from their products. Links have been suggested between some of the more common ingredients found in deodorants and anti-perspirant such as aluminium and zirconium compounds. Our bodies readily absorb aluminium in this form and as we apply deodorant to our armpits it is therefore absorbed into our lymphatic system, as well as our internal organs such as the liver, kidneys and brain. In laboratory tests these chemicals can cause mutations in DNA leading to cancerous growths and tumours. However, not all cancer experts agree with these claims. Some cite the reasons that cancer develops in this area is because the breast tissue is much denser. They also claim that although breast cancer is more prevalent in richer countries this could be due to a richer and more fatty diet, rather than excessive use of deodorants.

In addition, the Bionsen range does not include anti-perspirants. Anti-perspirants block sweat ducts and suppress our bodies natural perspiration. This can inhibit the skin's ability to breathe naturally which is essential to its health. Anti-perspirants are one of the more common causes of skin irritations and contact dermatitis. Believe it or not, sweating is good for us. It allows our bodies to dispose of waste products and regulates our temperature. Bionsen deodorants will not stop perspiration, but they inhibit the bacteria that cause the smell.

~ BIONSEN DEODORANT SPRAY ~
Deodorant spray 150ml = £3.19
(only available in one size and only in larger chemists such as Boots and Superdrug)

The Deodorant comes packaged in a pretty coloured turquoise tin with fitted turquoise cap hiding the spray nozzle underneath. It's decorated with the Bionsen logo and has a navy blue and silver sticker stating "ALUMINIUM FREE" & "JAPANESE SPA MINERALS". It's lightly perfumed to neutralise the bacteria responsible for body odour. It's a hypoallergenic product so it's particularly suitable for sensitive skins.

As you spray it, it has a fresh and sharp citrus smell. It doesn't sting, even if you have just shaved your armpits. However, this is where it all goes sadly wrong. Once it has dried, it starts to give off the most horrendous smell of fly spray. I don't know about you, but I cannot stand the smell of fly spray - it can give me an instant headache. I had to put up with constant wafts of fly spray smell rising from my armpits all day, and by the end of it I was really feeling quite sick. I couldn't wait to wash it all off. You also have to contend with that wet armpit feeling if you get a little bit hot because it doesn't block the sweat. That said, I went for a fairly strenuous walk with my dog, and even though I broke out into a sweat, there was no hint of any body odour smell (apart from the fly spray aroma of course).

Sadly, I really am going to have to bin this stuff, as I cannot stand the smell of it. Even if I liked the smell, I'm afraid I'm just not brave enough to venture out in this stuff during the week. Number one, I don't want my colleagues to have to put up with constant wafts of flyspray and number two, as I sit by a radiator, I don't really want to be at work with soggy wet armpits.

~ OTHER BIONSEN DEODORANT PRODUCTS ~
I don't want you to go away thinking that all Bionsen products are a waste of time. I have also tried one of their Deodorant Sticks, and this is much better. It smells much nicer and seems to work better as well.

Deodorant Stick 40ml = £2.69
Deodorant Roll-on 50ml = £2.19
Deodorant Pump 100ml = £2.65

~ RECOMMENDATION ~
Bionsen deodorants do not stop you sweating, but they do work in neutralizing any nasty armpit aroma. I really cannot recommend the Deodorant Spray because of the fly spray aroma. They’ll be no flies on you while you are wearing this - they would be too scared to approach you…..However, the Deodorant Stick is a much better alternative and I use it on those days when I don't have to go to work. I do recommend that you check the ingredients of your current deodorant, even though the rise in incidences of breast cancer cannot be proven to be directly linked to this.

~ FURTHER INFORMATION ~
More information on Bionsen products can be found on their website www.bionsen.co.uk, but it's not particularly informative. The same can be said of the Guaber SpA website www.guaber.com - here you will need to click on the link to get an English translation.

For some further information on breast cancer and deoderant links you can go to http://www.antiperspirantsinfo.com/english/04.php

Summary: Aluminium free deoderant products