Natural Deodorant 101 (And What To Do If You Still Stink!)
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DO I REALLY NEED TO BE USING NATURAL DEODORANT?
The short answer is yes, you do. I used conventional brands for years before I found out about the harmful ingredients I was putting directly into my armpits, which then soaked into my skin and went directly into my bloodstream. Anything you put on your skin will absorb into your body, so it’s incredibly important to read the ingredients of your personal care products to know what you’re putting in your system.
What about ANTI-PERSPIRANTs?
Anti-perspirants use aluminum, parabens, and phthalates to clog your sweat pores and kill off smelly bacteria in your armpits. Sounds like they’re just doing their job, right? Maybe, but inhibiting your body from sweating is doing more harm than good.
Sweating is your body's natural way of getting rid of toxins and regulating your body temperature. When you slather on aluminum containing deodorant, the aluminum stores in your breast tissue and can increase your chances of getting breast cancer. Not to mention you're putting a stop to your body's natural detoxification process through sweating, which can lead to the buildup of other toxins in your armpits.
Ingredients to AVOID
When you're shopping for deodorant, there are certain ingredients that you want to steer clear from. To be safe, always read the ingredients of your self care products and say no to anything containing:
Aluminum
1, 4 dioxane
Parabens
Methylisothiazolinone (MIT)
Toluene
Triclosan
Sulfates
Propylene glycol
Fragrance
DIY Deodorant
If you want to get real crunchy, you can make your own deodorant with a few simple ingredients. Some natural alternatives to regular deodorant include:
Using baking soda and water to create a paste that absorbs smell
Using soap and water to wash armpits following activity
Tan your armpits! Sun exposure is shown to kill the stinky bacteria while leaving beneficial bacteria intact
Mix pure milk of magnesia with 5-7 drops of essential oils in a roller bottle
Make your own DIY deodorant like this one from Wellness Mama
SAFE DEODORANT BRANDS
While DIY will certainly have the fewest ingredients, I understand the convenience of deodorant sticks. Here is a list of nontoxic deodorant options:
Native — Note: not all scents from Native are nontoxic. The only 2 scents that don’t contain “fragrance” on the label are the Lavender & Rose and Cucumber & Mint.
Organic Bunny — this online shop has the BEST nontoxic beauty care brands, deodorant included.
A fair warning when using natural deodorant -- you will sweat! These deodorants are intended to prevent stench, not clog your sweat pores. Let your body do its thing and detox through your sweat. Using anti-perspirants have actually been found to increase sweat production, meaning you'll require more and more deodorant over time. Which brings me to my next point...
YOU NEED TO DETOX YOUR ARMPITS
This is the MOST important thing to do when you start using natural deodorant! I have heard from several people that they tried natural deodorant but gave up quickly because they still sweat and they still stink. Well of course you do, your armpits have been clogged with so many toxins for so long. They have to come out at some point! Enter: armpit detox.
I detox my armpits about once a month, but when I started using natural deodorant I was doing it 2-3 times per week. To detox:
Mix 1 tbsp bentonite clay with 2 tbsp ACV (you can do 1 tbsp ACV and 1 tbsp water if you have sensitive skin)
Stir it up to make a paste
Use a face mask brush (or your fingers) to apply a thick layer to your armpits like a mud mask.
Keep your arms raised and let it sit for 15-20 minutes
Rinse off in the shower or using a warm washcloth
This armpit mask will draw toxins out of your skin and leave your armpits feeling fresh. I recommend doing this right before a shower because it makes a bit of a mess when trying to get it off after its hardened.
I could NOT believe how much better my natural deodorant worked after just one armpit detox! This recipe will likely make more than you need, so I often put the rest of the mixture on my face as a skin detox mask so it doesn't go to waste.
THE TAKEAWAY
Switching to natural deodorant should be a no brainer. It allows your body's natural detox pathways to function and doesn't introduce cancer-causing chemicals into your tissues. As I mentioned before, it might be a trial and error process before finding the deodorant that works best for you. If you have sensitive skin, steer clear of anything with baking soda as it will likely give you a rash.