People sweat – that is true. However, the body odor we produce is often a taboo and something we are all trying to get rid of. This battle is hard – but now with natural deodorants being more and more popular nowadays, you have more options than ever.
Here is a list of top 5 natural deodorants that you can use.
- Native Deodorant
Photo Credit: Women's Fitness & Style
This deodorant is great at eliminating bad smells and it has a big audience already. Even in the busiest occasions, you can rely on this natural deodorant to keep you from smelling bad. A marathon, a stressful day or just about anything else isn’t a match to this deodorant. It also keeps your armpits dry and it leaves your clothes free of stains. It has many great ingredients like Vitamin E or coconut oil. It’s also paraben and aluminium free.
You can get it unscented and in four more scents – Eucalyptus and Mint, Lavender and Rose, Citrus and Herbal Musk, Coconut and Vanilla.
- Soapwalla Deodorant Cream
Photo Credit: New York Magazine
This great deodorant comes in a shape of cream. It’s completely toxin-free but it can keep you feeling fresh all day long. It might be a bit messier to apply but it’s perfect for those who don’t like roll-ons or sticks.
- Agent Nateur
Photo Credit: Nourished Life
This deodorant is made by hand and created with ingredients you could eat. If you have sensitive skin, this is the perfect stick that will keep you fresh and sweat-free.
- Weleda Deodorant Spray
Photo Credit: Weleda
This spray is free of aerosols and contains only essential oil scents. The only problem with this is that you should leave it to dry a bit after you apply it or it will stick to your clothes. Otherwise, it has raving reviews and it’s a great all-natural product.
- Sanoflore
Photo Credit: Nocibe
This French product smells great – clean and fresh. It’s a light roll that will dry quickly and leave no trace on your clothes. It has no aluminum or parabens.
Ingredients you should avoid in deodorants
We are always exposed to thousands of toxins and chemicals. Especially in cosmetics like soaps, shampoos, lotions, make-up, and various other products.
One of the products that’s full of chemicals – in fact, it has the most chemicals out of all cosmetics – is the deodorant.
And in a way, it makes sense. It’s a product that’s supposed to fight your body’s natural secretion. They prevent a natural bodily function – and the body needs to sweat a certain amount. In addition, these also release tons of chemicals into our bodies that we would never otherwise take.
Here are seven worst toxins which can be found in an average deodorant:
- Aluminium
This is the ingredient which serves to block your pores and prevent you from sweating. However, while it may stop the smell, it also causes Alzheimer’s disease and messes with your estrogen – this, in turn, increases your risk for breast and prostate cancer.
- Parabens
This chemical is often used in cosmetics because it’s a preservative. However, it’s one of the most harmful additives. They can also mess with estrogen levels and disrupt hormonal balance.
- Steareths
These are created from ethoxylation which produces carcinogens as well.
- Triclosan
FDA has stated that this is a pesticide but it’s still found in the vast majority of deodorants. It kills bacteria on contact with the skin and combined with water it also creates chloroform.
- Propylene Glycol
If you use this chemical every day, you can cause damage to your brain, specifically CNS, heart and liver. This is harmful even at the small levels but deodorants usually have about 50% of it. It can irritate the skin too.
- TEA and DEA
These are the chemicals that can enter your skin, and through it your kidneys and liver, causing damage. They have been banned in Europe because they cause cancer.
- Artificial Colors
Some deodorants contain colors that cause allergies and cancer. This may come a bit alarming but many of those “fresh” and “energizing” deodorants are actually very harmful. Some contain harmful chemicals even if they are labeled all-natural.
So, before buying deodorant next time, read the label on the back. You might find that your deodorant is trying to poison you.
What can you use in place of deodorant?
Once you start seeing bad chemicals, you can never unsee them. This means that your supermarket isles will disappoint you. However, there are many other options for fresh and clean armpits.
Here are some of them:
Baking soda + Cornstarch – Baking soda can mask any bad smell and cornstarch is perfect for combating the wet side of the problem. This is a cheap deodorant that you already have in your kitchen. Mix a bit of baking soda with some water to create a paste and then add cornstarch.
Lemon Juice – This is a simple yet effective recipe where all you have to do is apply a bit of lemon juice to your armpits. Since it’s packed with citric acid, you should know that it will sting after shaving.
Rubbing alcohol – This kills the bacteria that are in your armpits and you can add a few drops of essential oils as well, to make it smell nice.
Essential oils – Some essential oils (lemongrass and lavender ) have antibacterial properties and they smell lovely.
Witch hazel – This is a natural astringent and it has anti-inflammatory properties. It can kill bacteria and also remove moisture.
Do natural deodorants work?
If you want to avoid harmful chemicals, natural products are your best alternative. They have become more popular recently because many people have realized what’s in their deodorant.
Natural deodorant basically for the same thing but they don’t inject a bunch of poisonous materials in your body.
If you are worried about the smell, you can rest assured that it won’t be an issue because natural deodorants contain essential oils which offer all the smell for none of the toxicity. They use common ingredients and natural preservatives.
But do they really work? Well, they might and they might not. It will all depend on your own body.
Some people report great results – no odor and no wetness. For some, it’s just not working.
However, you should try different products with different ingredients before you make your final decision. See how your body reacts, what works best, what doesn’t work.
If you find testing a bit too much for your budget, you can make samples at home and see which ingredients work well. It may be lavender or tea tree oil – all you have to do is try.
Benefits of using natural deodorants
Organic, natural deodorants are made of healthy, good ingredients which don’t have any harmful side-effects. However, you are probably not aware of all the benefits that come with them. Here are some:
They don’t have any aluminium – Since aluminium is so bad for us, this is a huge benefit. Of course, always check the label.
They aren’t antiperspirants – These formulas are built not to clog your pores but rather absorb the sweat. Keep in mind that sweating is natural and normal.
They improve underarm health – It takes a week or two before the body makes that switch and adjusts to the natural deodorant. But this is a good thing since sweat is healthy for our bodies.
They have no artificial fragrances – Synthetic fragrances do smell lovely but they come with a whole host of health issues. Natural products use essential oils which smell great but bring none of the harm.
They can often be as effective as non-natural – They kill bacteria that causes the smell but that’s it. They don’t clog pores or give us health threats.
They open the pores – Unclogged pores are essential for good skin health.
Decrease the risk of breast cancer by protecting lymph nodes
Nursing women decrease the amount of chemicals transferred to baby’s milk
In addition to all of these benefits, you are protecting the environment by not using the non-natural deodorants. Just imagine what happens when you throw your deodorant away – all of those harmful chemicals released into nature and animals.
DIY natural deodorant
If you like the idea – and the cost – of making your own deodorant at home, there are some really good recipes for both men and women.
Here is one recipe which has a bit more ingredients but works well and makes your skin soft and one which has fewer ingredients and it’s easier to make from things you have at home.
- 3 Tablespoons Coconut Oil
- 3 Tablespoons Baking Soda
- 2 Tablespoons Shea Butter
- 2 Tablespoons Cornstarch
Optional ingredients (if you want the nice smell) – Essential oils (any is good)
Melt the shea butter and coconut oil and then add baking soda and cornstarch. Mix all of those together well and add a few drops of essential oils. Put in a glass container for storage. If you want to cool it and harden it faster, put it in the fridge for a few minutes.
- 6 Tablespoons Coconut Oil
- 4 Tablespoons Baking Soda
- 4 Tablespoons Cornstarch
Optional ingredients – essential oil. Again, it doesn’t have to be there but for the nice smell you can add it. Any essential oil will do.
Mix baking soda and cornstarch in one bowl, mash coconut oil and mix it with them. Add any oils if you want. Put it in a jar for storage.
References
https://clementinedaily.com/2016/12/top-5-deodorants-for-women/
https://dontmesswithmama.com/7-toxins-lurking-in-your-deodorant/
https://thompsontee.com/blog/deodorant-alternatives-that-keep-pits-dry/