Be in the Pink with Dove’s Clear Tone Pink Rosa Deodorant

Last April, I wrote about a fantastic new innovation from Dove: the Clear Tone deodorant range. This new collection of anti-perspirant deodorants was specifically designed to moisturize and soothe the tender and often inflamed skin on your armpits while also increasing cellular turnover and helping to diminish the appearance of dark and sallow areas— basically, everything you need to raise your arms and feel sure (without having to wear yucky Sure deodorant!).

Why is a moisturizing deodorant so important? Well, the skin under your arms is incredibly thin and tender and, since hairy pits are hardly a coveted beauty ideal, we tend to exacerbate any potential irritation in this area by waxing and shaving. Also, consider that most shaving creams are primarily made of air, so that the foam you see dispensed does virtually nothing to lubricate the area, thereby leaving it vulnerable to the sharp blades of your razor. Shaving has been known to reduce skin moisture in the armpit area by up to 50% — a rather shocking figure. And, while we often apply lotion or body oil to our legs after shaving, how often do we focus on moisturizing our pits? All of these factors together explain why armpits can often ache and burn, itch and flake, appear red, and even develop a bumpy texture.

But there’s another issue to consider. Once this tender skin is dehydrated, its ability to protect itself from environmental aggressors wanes, which can often lead to hyperpigmentation, otherwise known as dark spots. If you’ve ever examined your pits after shaving and wondered why they looked so shadowy, even without any stubble being present, then you’re likely grappling with localized hyperpigmentation. 

With all these issues in mind, then, Dove developed its stellar Clear Tone deodorant line. All Dove ClearTone deodorants are formulated with calendula extract, which is known to boost the skin’s radiance and which also works as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, helping to soothe the skin and trigger cellular regeneration; along with sunflower seed extract, which is rich in beta-carotene, a substance that the body can convert to vitamin A, an antioxidant that protects skin from harmful UV rays and a crucial agent in collagen and elastin synthesis.

I had a great experience with the first Dove Clear Tone deodorants released — my armpits smelled fresh all day long, but felt comfortable and hydrated, and I did notice a significant decrease in the tonality of this underarm skin. My only gripe at the time was that I only responded pleasantly to one of the two deodorant scent options. I found the Sheer Touch scent pleasant and light thanks to the light citrus aroma, which was blended with almond and coconut milk notes for a softer, more tender smell. The Skin Renew scent, meanwhile, was a bit too heady for me, featuring a strong floral aroma that blended violet, lilac, and rose notes with just a hint of vanilla musk for a creamy base.

Now that Dove has introduced a third option, the Dove Clear Tone Pink Rosa Deodorant ($4.99 at mass food and drug retailers; visit drugstore.com), I’ve met my Clear Tone match on the aromatic front. Like its predecessors, this deodorant features calendula and sunflower seed extracts to keep under arms feeling hydrated and smooth while smelling fresh, fending off any wetness and odor-causing bacteria, while also preventing any inflammation or redness and working to reduce dark spots and make skin appear more radiant and youthful. But what sets the Pink Rosa deodorant apart is its delightful aroma, which combines violet, rose and raspberry notes to yield a delicate floral yet slightly fruity scent. Rose-based fragrances can sometimes feel overpowering in a headache-inducing manner, but the inclusion of tender violet makes this scent subtle and light, plus the raspberry adds a hint of tartness and a sun-kissed ripeness that counters the sweetness of the floral notes.

The Clear Tone Pink Rosa deodorant looks white but goes on clear when you glide it over skin, and it really does smell absolutely lovely — and, of course, delivers on all of the aforementioned fronts. Simply put:yYou’ll be tickled pink by this deodorant!