Key Takeaways
The situation in plain words
In December 2025, an underarm deodorant ran out, and a foot deodorant spray called Ammens became the backup choice. The goal was simple: avoid waste and avoid buying something new.
Why the body may react differently
Skin on the feet and skin under the arms behave differently. Underarm skin is thinner, warmer, and more likely to react to fragrance, alcohol-heavy sprays, and certain solvents.
The word puzzle
“Ammens” can look like a Dutch word, but it is widely seen as a brand name tied to older “Ammen’s” products, not a standard modern Dutch word.
Story & Details
A practical swap, not a perfect match
Ammens Foot Deodorant Spray is built for feet: a place with thicker skin, long sock time, and a lot of odor-causing bacteria. Underarms are a different world. They are warm, moist, and high-friction, with skin that can get irritated more easily. So the swap is not automatically dangerous, but it is also not automatically gentle.
What the ingredient style suggests
Foot deodorant sprays often lean on fast-drying carriers and strong odor control. The ingredient panel on this kind of aerosol commonly includes an alcohol base and propellants, plus odor-control helpers and scent. Those choices can work well on feet, yet underarms may react with stinging, dryness, redness, or a delayed itchy rash, especially if fragrance is present. Underarm rashes linked to deodorant are often described as contact dermatitis, which can be irritant or allergic in nature.
A key detail that lowers one risk
One detail matters: the underarms are not shaved. Shaving can create tiny breaks in the skin and can make sprays sting or trigger irritation more easily. No shaving does not guarantee comfort, but it removes one common trigger.
The science in one breath
Deodorant focuses on odor, mainly by changing bacteria and smell. Antiperspirant reduces sweating, often with aluminum salts. Many sprays sold for odor rely on alcohol and fragrance to feel “fresh,” yet those same ingredients can be the main reason a sensitive underarm reacts.
A short Dutch mini-lesson that stays usable
Dutch can feel hard when the ear catches a word that looks familiar but is not. Here is a compact way to hold the “big picture” first, then zoom in.
A simple check-in: Hoe gaat het?
Big meaning: a friendly “How are you?”
Word-by-word: hoe = how, gaat = goes, het = it
Tone: neutral, everyday, safe with strangers
A shorter version: Gaat het?
Big meaning: “Are you okay?”
Word-by-word: gaat = goes, het = it
Tone: often used when something seems wrong or someone looks unwell
A polite thanks: Dank je wel
Big meaning: “Thank you”
Word-by-word: dank = thanks, je = you, wel = well
Tone: polite, common, friendly
Now the word that caused the question: Ammens
It is easy to treat it as Dutch at first glance, but it is widely seen in product history as a name connected to “Ammen’s” body and foot powders and later branding. That makes “Ammens” more likely to be a proper name than a Dutch vocabulary item.
Conclusions
A careful, realistic takeaway
Using a foot deodorant spray under the arms can work for some men without any drama, especially when the skin is intact and not freshly shaved. The main risk is irritation or a delayed rash, often driven by fragrance, strong solvents, or sensitivity to common cosmetic ingredients.
A small choice that teaches a bigger lesson
One improvised product swap opens two doors at once: basic skin science and basic language science. Underarms and feet are not the same terrain, and a word that looks “Dutch” may simply be a brand name with a long trail behind it.
Selected References
[1] Cleveland Clinic (United States, North America). “Antiperspirant vs. Deodorant: What’s the Difference?” https://health.clevelandclinic.org/antiperspirant-vs-deodorant
[2] American Academy of Dermatology (United States, North America). “Contact dermatitis signs and symptoms.” https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/eczema/types/contact-dermatitis/symptoms
[3] National Eczema Association (United States, North America). “Armpit Rash? It Might Be Contact Dermatitis from Deodorant.” https://nationaleczema.org/blog/armpit-rash-deodorant/
[4] DermNet (New Zealand, Oceania). “Contact allergy to propylene glycol.” https://dermnetnz.org/topics/contact-allergy-to-propylene-glycol
[5] DAX (Mexico, North America). Product page for Ammens Foot Deodorant Spray. https://www.dax.com.mx/producto/ammens-desodorante-spray-para-pies-150ml-proteccion-24h-7502221184758.html
[6] University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History (United States, North America). “[Ammens powder display and two men]” https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1241661/
[7] YouTube (United States, North America). Mayo Clinic. “Hyperhidrosis – Mayo Clinic.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLX3qTEgL80
Appendix
Aerosol A product format that releases a fine spray using pressurized gas; it dries fast but can irritate sensitive skin and is usually flammable.
Alcohol A fast-evaporating liquid often used in sprays; it can reduce odor by affecting bacteria but may also dry or sting sensitive skin.
Ammen’s A historical brand form with an apostrophe, commonly seen on older powders; it functions as a proper name rather than a language word.
Ammens A modern brand spelling often seen on foot and body products; it is best understood as a proper name connected to “Ammen’s” branding history.
Antiperspirant A product designed to reduce sweating, often using aluminum salts that temporarily block sweat flow near the skin surface.
Athlete’s foot A common fungal infection of the feet that thrives in warm, damp areas; it can cause itching, peeling, and odor.
Contact dermatitis Skin inflammation caused by direct contact with an irritant or allergen; it can appear quickly or after a delay.
Deodorant A product designed to reduce body odor, usually by changing odor-causing bacteria and adding scent, without stopping sweat itself.
Ethylhexylglycerin A cosmetic ingredient often used to support preservation and odor control; some sensitive skin can still react to multi-ingredient blends.
Fragrance A scent blend that can mask odor but is also one of the most common triggers of deodorant-related skin reactions.
Patch test A small-area test used to check if skin reacts to a product or ingredient before broader use.
Propellant The pressurized gas in an aerosol that pushes product out of the can; it affects how the spray feels and spreads.
Propylene glycol A common solvent and texture helper used in many personal-care products; it can cause irritation and, less commonly, allergy in some people.
Triethyl citrate An odor-control ingredient that helps reduce smell by limiting bacterial activity; it is common in deodorant-style formulas.
My Diary - Leonardo Cardillo 