Many moons ago I was a fanatical user of antiperspirants and deodorants, religiously coating my underarms in fear of smelling or even worse.. sweating!  Like many of us, I really had no idea about the difference between an antiperspirant and a deodorant or how they worked, let alone what concoction of toxins and harsh chemicals were added into them to make me smell as sweet as a daisy and keep me dry as a desert…

It is no secret that commercial non-natural deodorants and antiperspirants are not the healthiest thing on this planet. So what is the difference you say?

Antiperspirant

The basic difference between antiperspirants and deodorants is that an antiperspirant keeps you from sweating and to do this they rely on the active ingredient Aluminium chlorohydrate which forms a gel plug in the duct of the sweat gland to stop it from producing sweat. Yes, you will not sweat BUT this may then lead to a whole host of health related problems, and they can also contain parabens which are hormone disruptors! Scary ..

Deodorant

Deodorants on the other hand cut down on what makes you stink when you do sweat, and do not reduce perspiration at all. They accomplish this by killing the bacteria that cause odour, but they will not stop you from sweating. Commercial deodorants also are laden with toxic chemicals and additives that can also have a negative effect on our health as well.

Is it time to make a change and look into a natural alternative to detox your armpits??

So what are the natural alternatives to toxic deodorants and antiperspirants?

There are so many great natural based deodorants out on the market these days that we are really spoilt for choice! These alternatives use a range of natural and certified organic ingredients to neutralise the bacteria that causes the odour and help to absorb perspiration. So to help you navigate through which deodorant is best for you, we have put together a guide to help you filter through the different types of natural deodorants to see which one suits your lifestyle and needs.

Deodorant Paste

The idea of a paste is messy, but surprisingly they are not as icky as you think. They are very effective for those who are quite active with a long lasting single application.

Schmidts Deodorant paste is a tough working deodorant and works a treat in eliminating odour and getting rid of any bacteria. This paste is in a glass jar and comes with a spatula that you can use to scoop out your desired amount of deodorant, next warm it in between your fingers and apply to your underarms. This great product comes in 4 deliciously fresh scents; Lavender & Sage, Cedarwood & Juniper – suitable for men, Bergamot & Lime and Fragrance Free.

Wohoo Deodorant Paste is another very hard working product that customers are pleasantly surprised with! This paste is all natural and made with Kaolin Clay and pure Vanilla Extract to leave you feeling dry and fresh all day. Woohoo is suitable for those with sensitive skin. The clear paste leaves no yellow stains or white marks on clothing and most importantly is good for your health!

Roll On Deodorant

Many people prefer Roll on options as they are quite quick and easy to apply and go, if you have sensitive skin the Biologika Deodorant range is suitable for you. This beautifully formulated deodorant line is gentle on your pits, neutralising unwanted body odour. It comes in 3 scents; Vanilla Kiss, Evening Bliss and Fragrance Free.

If you are sensitive to Bicarbonate and get skin irritations, then go for the Biologika Vanilla Kiss Organic Roll On Deodorant, this is Bicarbonate free and crafted from essential oils, minerals and extracts which will combat odour causing bacteria, whilst Aloe Vera juice and Jojoba Oil will leave your underarms feeling soft.

Vanessa Megan has also created a delicious range of deodorants that smell divine and are great for those days when you aren’t working out at the gym or rushing around at work.  Formulated with a range of organic ingredients and Witch hazel which helps to work as an astringent, this helps shrinks the pores in the armpit and combined with essential oils it acts as fantastic natural deodorizer. They come in two beautiful scents; Citrus Grove and Vanilla Pod.

Deodorant Stick

Schmidts No Mess Deodorant Stick is hard working product for those who are always on the go and quite active. With its award winning formulation, only using natural, Vegan and Cruelty Free ingredients, this no mess deodorant stick naturally and effectively neutralizes odour and wetness as it is formulated with unique plant based powders to be fast absorbing and non-greasy. It comes in a luxurious range of scents; Lavender, Natural and Woodspice.

Organic Essence Deodorant stick is specially formulated with USDA certified organic ingredients; Organic Virgin Coconut Oil which fights odour causing bacteria while conditioning and soothing underarm skin. Gentle for all skin types and everyday use. Comes in recyclable paper tube and lid for zero packaging waste. Comes in 3 fresh scents; Woodspice - suitable for men, Natural and Lavender Perfect for those days you are running around!

Detoxing

If you have never used a natural deodorant before, you may experience a detox period as your pits expel all the nasty chemicals that it absorbed from synthetic deodorants over time, and balances its pH levels. This detox period might cause you to sweat more and your body odour may become stronger, but just be aware you have been blocking your sweat glands with aluminium, so there will be a short period of time where your body will ‘cry a river’ and happily rebalance again. Once this is over, your body should only release natural toxins, and any odour can be neutralised with a natural deodorant.

Remember that perspiring is completely normal and it’s your body’s way of removing toxins! You are doing your precious body a favour. Be Well xx

Disclaimer:

Please note that this blog is not written to give medical advice or written by a medical professional. If you are experiencing allergy like symptoms, seek medical advice. All information here is to be used as a guide only, using the brands ingredients list and formulations. Always use a patch test first.