Do Natural Deodorants Work?

 

Hands up if you use deodorant? Maybe keep them down if you don’t!

 Hands up if you know the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant or are aware of the chemicals they contain?

 We make informed choices every day about our health and deodorant shouldn’t be the exception; yet most of us are in the dark on this one. Here at The Well Store we’ve come up with some great product recommendations to ease your healthy conscience and help you keep your cool this summer. But first, let’s dig a little deeper into the reasons why switching to natural deodorant makes sense.  

 

Sweating is a good thing

On average our bodies house over 3 million sweat glands of which there are 2 types – the eccrine glands (located all over the body including the armpits) that generally produce odourless moisture or ‘sweat’, and the more active apocrine glands. These are the ones found around the scalp, groin and armpits and they secrete a much heavier type of sweat. It’s in these areas where local bacteria break the sweat down into odorous fatty acids, better known to us as BO. Sweating or perspiring therefore, is completely natural. It’s exactly what our body is built to do in order to regulate our body temperature and expel toxins.

 

A change in body temperature, outdoor temperature or even our emotional state can cause us to sweat. The autonomic nervous system controls this sweating function in the glands, working magically without our conscious participation. So when we try to mask this magic with deodorants, we are in fact messing with the natural order of things.

 

Nature aside, BO and damp patches aren’t exactly desirable so why move away from what’s already working? Particularly now that summer is here and feeling confident in our pits is more important than ever!

 

Natural deodorants work

Here’s the good part.  Natural deodorants work in tune with your bodily functions, absorb sweat to keep you dry, and make you smell good all at the same time. Win, win and win!

 

Everyday deodorants, whilst allowing the glands to continue to sweat, don’t allow the healthy bacterial action to happen, therefore limiting odour production. Whilst this may sound like a positive, good bacterial activity is an essential function of the body; moreover these fragrance-based deodorants often contain nasty chemicals and additives. Conversely, antiperspirants don’t let us sweat at all. They suppress the sweat glands by blocking the ducts and often contain aluminium and parabens. Not exactly a great option either.

 

Moving to a natural deodorant makes complete sense.  The benefits speak for themselves but here are just a few reasons to embrace the change:

  • limit any potential health risks and put your mind completely at rest by knowing exactly what you’re putting on your body
  • beat odour with natural ingredients – ingredients which neutralise malodorous bacteria, are generally recognised and regarded as safe and smell beautiful too
  • avoid irritation from aluminium or other chemicals particularly if you have sensitive skin. (However, do remember that when a product is made up of ‘natural ingredients’ this doesn't mean your body won't react to it. If you have sensitive skin, look for natural deodorants that are free of dyes and scents)
  • eliminate yellow stains on your clothes, which is caused by aluminium
  • detox – use this as an opportunity to re-evaluate what goes into and onto your body and keep your pores clear by detoxing your pits

Don’t forget there may be a ‘cooling off period’ when you make the switch to natural deodorant – not all sweat glands are equal so you may need to try more than one product before you find the best one for you.

Here at the well store we can confidently wave our hands in the air knowing we’re safe, dry and smelling as fresh as a daisy.  See below for our top picks and you’ll be proudly waving your hands in the air in no time!

Our Top 5 Natural Deodorants

  1. Woohoo Deodorant Paste

The Woohoo range is hard working, and perfect for anyone who is quite active throughout the day. Its unique non-greasy, fast drying formula uses Sodium Bicarbonate, Diatomaceous Earth and Kaolin clay, inhibiting the growth of bacteria, which cause your armpits to smell. These ingredients act as strong natural deodorizers so you are well protected throughout the day without blocking your sweat glands.

This deodorant is also available in a bicarb free option for those with sensitive skin - Mellow is a fragrance-free and unscented deodorant paste.

  1. Woohoo Eco Tube deodorant + Chafe Stick.

 

This best seller comes in a plastic free cardboard tube and doubles up as a chafe stick; perfect for the hotter weather! It is easily applied, leaving you with a fresh scent and has the same body-odour busting powers of the original Woohoo All Natural Deodorant Paste. The Woohoo Eco Tube is eco friendly, pregnancy-safe, non-toxic, suitable for kids and teens and is 100% natural.

  1. Black Chicken Remedies Axilla Deodorant Paste

 

This high performing deodorant has a huge following and sporty fans of this paste love the fact that they don’t need to reapply it, even after a heavy work out! Its unique formula, a blend of natural and organic ingredients including Arrowroot, Sodium Bicarbonate and Organic Coconut Oil, works hard to absorb moisture and neutralise odour without harmful chemicals or sweat blockers.

 

  1. Green Habit Deodorant Spray

 

A more lightweight deodorant, Green Habit Deodorant Spray smells super fresh with its citrus scent and is perfect for the whole family due to its gentle formula. This healthy, aluminium free and bicarb free deodorant will keep you smelling clean and fresh while allowing your body to naturally eliminate toxins.

 

  1. Earths Purities Roll-on Deodorants And Pastes

 

We love this range so much we can’t choose just one product. Made in Australia, vegan and cruelty free, all Earths Purities packaging is 100% recyclable and has been created from recycled resources. The roll-on deodorants work brilliantly and come in glass bottles whilst the range of pastes comes in waste free cardboard box packaging with a bamboo applicator and are a wonderful fruity scented alternative to deodorant pastes.

 

Shop the full range of natural deodorants from The Well Store here

 

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