I know it sounds scary to switch to natural deodorant but trust me, it is a simple step in taking control of your health! Let’s go over why the switch is so important, simple tricks to make switching easier, and my fave deodorant.
Antiperspirant vs Deodorant
We’ve all seen these words on deodorant labels but what do they actually mean? Antiperspirant prevents sweating. Sweat is not a bad thing! It is a natural process for our body to get rid of excess toxins. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t smell! So what makes sweat smell? The bacteria found normally on our skin. Our sweat combined with the warmth of our body makes a perfect environment for the bacteria to become active. They break down compounds in the sweat and the byproducts cause the smell. Deodorant prevents odor by stopping bacteria from growing.
Why switch from regular deodorant?
Most deodorants contain some pretty harsh chemicals. One of the top ones is fragrance. Frangrance is a word many companies use to cover up the chemicals they are using. Companies are not required to disclose what they mean by “fragrance”. It could be anything. (literally) The majority of these chemicals are endocrine disruptors. Your endocrine system involves all of your hormones. Hormones play key roles in many functions of our body. When we use products with endocrine-disrupting chemicals, our hormones can get pretty out of whack. We don’t want that!!
Most antiperspirants contain Aluminum. This is the main ingredient that stops you from sweating. The aluminum, a heavy metal, blocks the pores in your armpits to prevent you from sweating. This can cause irritation and build-up in your armpits. It is possible for the aluminum to then accumulate in the body. Heavy metal toxicity has been associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
The Key to Making the Switch: Armpit Detox
If you’ve been using regular deodorant, you have to get the pesky chemicals that block your body’s natural sweat process out. I will be 100% honest with you. You will probably smell for a few days when you switch to natural deodorant. You might even have a metallic smell! BUT there is hope. lol The key for making the transition to natural deodorant quicker is an armpit detox mask! Doing this mask a couple of times for the first few weeks of switching to natural deodorant can help pull more of the toxins and smells out faster. I swear it works. And if you ever feel like you are smelling more randomly, a quick armpit mask usually does the trick!
To do an armpit mask, simply mix together bentonite clay and apple cider vinegar into a paste-like consistency. Leave the mask on for 5-10 minutes and rinse off. My favorite clay to use is this one from amazon. It will literally last you so long and you can use it as a face mask too!
My Go-To Natural Deodorant
I have tried so many natural deodorants. From Native, to Kopari, to Dove, literally so many. My absolute favorite is this one from Primally Pure. Blue Tansy is the best scent for my body. They have a couple of different scents (made from essential oils) so you might have to try a few to find the one that works best with your body. The ingredients are super clean and I haven’t had any irritation from it! Love it so much!
Quick Tips
- Armpit detox before switching and 2-3 times a week for the first few weeks of using non-toxic deodorant.
- If you are experiencing irritation, check to see if baking soda is listed in the ingredients of your deodorant. Baking soda is the likely culprit. Try one that doesnt contain baking soda.
- Try out differnt ones to find what works best for you! This includes different brands and scents!
I know this is a hard change to make (no one wants to be smelly lol) but I swear once you do, you will never look back! Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below.
