Mercadona vs Chanel: the €3.50 deodorant dividing shoppers

Mercadona vs Chanel: the €3.50 deodorant that promises 48 hours of protection

The Spanish supermarket chain has brought to market a spray deodorant that, according to first impressions, competes with brands like Chanel or Lancaster. The product, which costs around €3.50, boasts up to 48 hours of protection, although consumer reviews suggest the real performance sits at around 24 hours for most people. The debate has focused on two fronts: efficacy versus price and the chemical composition.

Efficacy vs. price: is the Chanel worth it?

The Mercadona deodorant comes in several fragrances —Acua, Power, Límite, Dark— with Power being the best rated for its balance of freshness and subtlety. A comparative analysis shows that the Mercadona one does the basic job: neutralising body odour throughout the working day. However, some consumers point out that the protection wears off faster in intense heat or during physical activity. By contrast, the Chanel option (€45 a stick) is defended for its staying power and the social impact it creates. As some have calculated, the annual spend on Chanel —around €90 if you use two a year— is seen as an investment in personal and professional relationships, not just in hygiene.

The aluminium dilemma and endocrine disruptors

A group of consumers rejects conventional deodorants because of their aluminium content and other suspect compounds. In the debate, it has been noted that roll-ons usually contain aluminium, while Mercadona sprays contain alcohol but no aluminium (according to the label, though this has not been independently verified). Alternatives such as alum stone, baking soda or homemade mixes of coconut oil and bicarbonate of soda are put forward as natural options. One user highlighted that since using a coconut oil and baking soda mix, the odour has disappeared completely.

Beyond deodorant: the hygiene routine

The thread drifts into a broader reflection: excessive washing and the use of harsh soaps disrupt the skin's bacterial flora, making body odour worse in the long run. Gentle soaps such as ISDIN's Germisdin or the classic Lagarto soap are recommended, along with reducing the frequency of washing with chemicals. This approach, though controversial among fans of intensive hygiene, has its defenders, who claim that showers with just water and a natural soap are enough to keep odour under control.

The Mercadona deodorant has peine a sustancia ilegal in the budget cosmetics market: it shows that an acceptable result can be achieved for a fraction of the price of premium brands. However, doubts remain about the ingredients and whether the effectiveness will hold up in the medium term. While the purists of smelling clean go for natural options, mass consumption keeps leaning towards the low-cost chemical solution.