I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Dove. I received product samples to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item as a thank-you for participating.

Ladies, I know we can all relate to shaving being one of those pesky necessary evils in our lives. Dread and general discontentment often accompany me to the bathtub as I use the perfectly good “me time” that was so carefully carved out meeting my hair removal needs. While I have been known to put off shaving my legs for as long as I can possibly get away with (this time is most commonly known as “winter”) I just can’t do the same with my underarms.

Don’t mind me as I break out some seriously honest, harsh truths about something none of us really talk about, or may not even really pay much attention to — underarm hair. Mine, for instance, is dark, thick, and grows back so quickly that I often shave them twice a day. It doesn’t help that as soon as I can feel that slight prickle coarse underarm hair has when it begins to grow back, it makes me so uncomfortable that I must get rid of it as soon as possible.

The amount of underarm shaving I do has left my skin super irritated, and it’s really no wonder why, since we typically lose 50% of the moisture in our underarm skin as a result of shaving. In fact, 32 million women in the US experience underarm redness and dark marks from shaving.

All of this, in a nutshell, is why I was pretty psyched to try new Dove Clear Tone Deodorant. This new line of deodorant was designed specifically to reduce red and dark marks that so many women find themselves having to deal with, and help restore skin back to its natural tone in just two weeks of use.

I would be willing to bet that most women never think about how to care for their underarm skin, other than properly washing and then hitting it with some deodorant before getting dressed for the day, myself included. While I moisturize the rest of my body, especially in the winter when it always gets very dry and uncomfortable, it never dawned on me to moisturize my underarms. The idea of it seems weird even now, although it shouldn’t because obviously not properly taking care of this skin is what is leading to rampant skin irritation and dryness.

Dove Clear Tone Deodorant provides 1 / 4 moisturizers that works to replenish skin after daily shaving, and was formulated with Calendula and Sunflower Seed Extracts that accelerate the natural skin renewal process, restoring dark, red, and irritated skin to its natural tone.

While you are likely not to notice substantial visual changes in the skin until you’ve been using Dove Clear Tone Deodorant for the first two weeks, I can tell you that using it for just one week, I can already feel a difference.

I usually give my underarms a few quick swipes with the razor before stepping out of the shower. After brushing my hair, I reach for my usual brand of deodorant — a clear gel antiperspirant/deodorant from another brand — and every single time, it literally burns the tender skin I just shaved. No wonder I’ve been experiencing irritation, right? Dove Clear Tone is not a clear gel, like I am used to, but rather a solid that is creamy without “balling” like usual solid deodorants do once you start to sweat. My underarms feel moisturized without feeling wet, and oh so much more comfortable!

Dove Clear Tone comes in four varieties. I received the Sheer Touch and Pink/Rosa, which I have been using the most and really digging. The fruity and floral scent it has is apparent but not overwhelming, and lasts and lasts while also providing 48-hour odor and wetness protection. Now that is my kind of deodorant!

Dove Clear Tone Deodorant is available now at drugstores nationwide. You can find more information at Dove.com.