Switching to natural deodorant is a positive move for your health and the environment. Sure, the idea of going natural feels risky, but there are some fantastic products out there that will leave you smelling fresher than ever. Hold your hands up and rejoice, because smearing your skin with chemical nasties is no longer necessary! You can find a product that’s good for your skin and your scent. 

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What is natural deodorant, and how does it work?

Let’s start by breaking down the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant. Most “deodorants” on the shelves these days are a combination of the two. 

Deodorant is the part that stops you from smelling. It kills the bacteria in your sweat to prevent them from creating a stink. 

Antiperspirant plugs up your sweat glands so that you sweat less in the first place. That may sound appealing but antiperspirant is made from aluminium, which has been linked to a whole host of health issues. 

Natural deodorants don’t contain aluminium, so you’ll sweat more whilst using them. However, they come with a whole host of benefits that make the extra moisture worthwhile. 

Baking soda and cornflour are common ingredients in natural deodorant; they absorb odor and moisture respectively. Essential oils smell amazing and are far better for the skin than synthetic fragrances.

The health benefits of natural deodorant

Traditional deodorants contain a whole host of toxic chemicals that could be putting your health at risk. 

The most obvious of these is aluminium, which blocks sweat glands. Aluminium has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer, dementia and heart disease. Deodorant also contains parabens, which disrupt hormone levels in the body. Worryingly, this has may lead to an increased risk of breast cancer and reproductive issues in women. In addition, many products contain the chemical triclosan, which may increase antibiotic resistance and thyroid dysfunction. 

At the moment, we can’t be totally certain that traditional deodorant is dangerous but you can never be too careful when it comes to your health. At the very least, going natural will set your mind at ease. 

If that wasn’t enough to convince you, natural deodorants are kinder to your skin. They contain nourishing ingredients like coconut oil, beeswax and shea butter which leave your underarm area feeling soft and smooth. Thanks to the lack of aluminium, natural deodorant is far less likely to ruin your favorite white top with nasty yellow pit stains. It’s not a health benefit per se, but it’s definitely an advantage.

The environmental benefits of natural deodorant

Your body will thank you for switching to natural deodorant, and so will Mother Earth. 

Aerosol sprays are notorious for damaging the ozone layer, so switching to a stick, bar or cream product is an easy way to reduce your carbon footprint. 

What’s more is that many natural deodorant brands opt for plastic free packaging, which is excellent news for the planet. Plenty of companies use glass and cardboard, which are much greener choices than difficult-to-recycle aerosol cans. 

Best of all, many natural deodorant brands are cruelty-free and choose not to test on animals.

The transition period 

Some people who switch to natural deodorant experience… interesting… body odor as their skin gets used to the change. So what’s that about? 

As discussed, antiperspirants use aluminium to stop you from sweating. When you switch to natural deodorant, your body goes through a detox which makes your sweat smell worse than usual. 

It’s unlikely you’ll notice anything for the first few days, since your sweat glands will still be plugged up. However, once they’re clear again your pits might temporarily go into overdrive and produce more sweat than usual. After about a week, this effect should lessen and within a month, it’ll be business as usual once more. 

You might be thinking “why would I put myself through this?” but a little extra sweat is so worth it in order to commit to a long-term, healthy lifestyle choice. Besides, there are plenty of things you can do to get through it, such as: 

• Using a clay mask to draw out the toxins
• Wash under your arms several times a day using a natural antibacterial soap
• Take your new, natural deodorant with you for reapplication throughout the day
• Use saunas and take steam baths to help you detox

The Best Natural Deodorants Brands

The best way to switch to natural deodorant is to choose an amazing product that actually works. Just like traditional deodorants, not all natural products are equally effective. Here are a few brands that will leave you smelling amazing all day: 

Native Deodorant 

Natural deodorant brand Native has won itself a legion of fans thanks to its superior staying power. They’ve got a range of gorgeous scents to choose from, such as Coconut & Vanilla, or you can go unscented if that’s how you roll. Better yet, order yourself a sample pack and decide which one you prefer. 

Skinny & Co 100% Raw

Skinny & Co’s raw deodorant smells good enough to eat, and it helps to soothe and soften skin. This is the perfect product for you if you experience irritation after shaving or waxing your underarms.

Schmidt’s 

Not only do Schmidt’s boast an award-winning deodorant formula, their products are also vegan and cruelty-free. Their range of scents is amazing – who doesn’t want to smell like rose and vanilla, or lavender and sage? They make deodorants in stick, sensitive stick and cream formulations, so there’s something to suit everybody. 

Corpus Natural Deodorant 

Corpus is possibly the chicest natural deodorant brand out there. They’re an environmentally conscious, vegan company who rely primarily on green energy to create their products. They use high-quality, organic ingredients to create their gentle deodorant, and the chic packaging looks great on your bedside table. A win-win, if you ask me!

If you’re interested in all things health and beauty, be sure to check out this article about skincare products that produce real results.