Why you should use a Natural Deodorant

Why you should use a Natural Deodorant

Deodorant or antiperspirant is something most of us apply daily. We would rather feel clean and fresh than sweaty and smelly. However, this means that most people are slapping, smearing, and spraying on toxic chemicals to sensitive and sometimes freshly shaven areas without even realising it.

A conventional shop bought deodorant really isn’t good for you. It contains harmful chemicals like aluminium, triclosan and parabens. Putting these chemicals on your skin could be more harmful than eating because they can damage your skin and enter your bloodstream.

As with any skincare product, it is important to know what you are putting on your skin. If you aren’t using natural deodorant yet, you should really consider making the change today. Read on to find out why you should make the switch to a natural deodorant.

What’s the difference between Deodorant and Antiperspirant?

To put it simply, deodorant protects against body odour, while antiperspirant blocks sweat.

Most people associate body odour with sweating but your sweat doesn’t actually smell. Body odour occurs when the odourless sweat mixes with the bacteria on your skin.

Deodorant

• It works by killing the bacteria on your skin. This way when you sweat, there aren’t enough bacteria sitting on your skin to create an odor. Your armpits have thousands of hairs and these hairs hold on to bacteria and sweat. This is why, when it comes to body odor, this is one of the most problematic areas of your body. So, deodorant prevents bacteria buildup (and by default, body odor). However, it doesn’t protect against perspiration or wetness.
• Many conventional deodorants contain parabens, triclosan, and aluminum which may be harmful to your health. Instead of coating your body with chemicals, try the natural way.

The Importance of Sweating

Sweating is natural in many situations and carries out an important bodily function to release toxins from our system. In fact, there are many health benefits of sweating. Even though sweat can be annoying and embarrassing at times, without it your body wouldn’t be able to conquer all the challenges you face in a day.

Here are some benefits of sweating:

• • Reducing the risk of kidney stones: In addition to toxins, sweating through exercise releases excess salt and calcium from the body. Without sweating, excess minerals travel to the kidneys and urine, potentially forming kidney stones. Sweating boosts the body’s natural balance and directs calcium to our bones instead.
  • Regulating body temperature: Sweating is how your body cools itself. When your internal temperature rises, your sweat glands release water to the surface of your skin. As the sweat evaporates from the skin, the body’s largest organ, helps maintain cool body temperature while preventing overheating in extreme heat or during an intense workout. Without this regulation, one can feel dizzy, faint, or develop skin rashes.
  • Banish acne: Sweat causes the pores of our skin to open, the perspiration process helps them release the grit and grime that holds in bacteria which as we all know, leads to acne spots. Getting all the grime out onto your skin’s surface means it has to be washed off, so don’t encourage its re-entry by leaving it lying around!

Benefits of a Natural Deodorant

• • Natural deodorants don’t block the pores, so the good bacteria keeps working.
  • The natural antibacterial and antifungal ingredients prevent odor-causing bacteria from growing.
  • The longer you use a natural deodorant, the less you tend to sweat.
  • The use of natural ingredients limits the skin issues caused by their non-natural counterparts. An irritation-free armpit results in a closer (and longer-lasting) shave.
  • Some ingredients used in natural deodorants (like witch hazel) can also shrink pores and smooth razor burn.
  • If you have bad razor burns or irritated armpits, definitely consider making the switch!

The real cause of the yellow sweat stains is due to minerals (especially salt) in your sweat mixing with the ingredients in antiperspirants or deodorants (primarily aluminium). However, natural deodorants should wash out easily as they don’t contain aluminium.

Making the switch to a natural deodorant

No two people have the same body chemistry, so what works for someone else may not work for you. If you have tried a natural deodorant before and it didn’t work, don’t give up. Try each deodorant for a couple of weeks, as it takes your body time to adjust. Know that it might take a few different tries and some time before finding the right natural deodorant for you. Once you do though, you’ll never go back.

• • It’s a good idea to go au naturale for a few days before switching over. When you stop using chemical filled deodorants, your body will start to push these chemicals out, which may cause irritation and won’t mix well with the bicarbonate of soda that’s in most natural deodorants. If you’re not comfortable going deodorant free, consider dabbing on a combination of tea tree oil, lavender or thyme essential oil, and coconut oil for a natural and irritation-free mixture that will protect against unwanted smells.
  • Things may get worse before they get better once the switch has been made. It’s common to experience some extra wetness when first using an aluminum-free product. However, as your body gets used to your new products, things will get drier.
  • Exfoliate underarms weekly and wash daily, to assist in the detoxification and prevent the build of bacteria on the skin.
  • Try to stick to fabrics with natural fibers (like cotton, hemp, and silk) during the transition period. Polyester and acrylic fabrics trap moisture and can cause mold to grow on clothing, which results in a foul smell.
  • When you look for a natural deodorant that works for you, look for an equal balance of bicarbonate of soda and essential oils, which is helpful for odor control and irritation for sensitive skin.
  • Remember deodorant won’t prevent you from sweating, so you may need to reapply natural deodorant after you exercise or find yourself sweating throughout the day.

Types of Natural Deodorant

Natural deodorants are extremely effective without the use of chemicals. Instead, natural products often rejuvenate your skin and keep your underarms fresh! There are several different options when it comes to natural deodorant. The most common types of deodorants come in a solid stick, gel, roll-on, liquid, cream, powder and spray formulas. Some deodorants offer a noticeable scent, whilst others may have no scent. Also, they may feel different when they are applied. These are the different types of deodorant we currently have to offer but we are always on the look out for more.

Cream Deodorants

Stick Deodorant

As well as the different types of deodorant, you should also look at the ingredients. Some natural ingredients work better for some people than others.

For example, bicarbonate of soda is an amazing deodoriser however, some people with sensitive skin find it a little too harsh and might prefer a bicarb free option.

There will be a natural deodorant that works for you, you may just need to try different options until you find the right one for your skin.

Summary

Natural deodorant is a great alternative to the chemical laden deodorant and they really do work! You may just need to try a few different ones before you find the right one.

Most natural deodorants come in smaller trial sizes as well as full size. This is great because it means you don’t have to pay a fortune or waste lots of product trying to find the right one.

Remember that the body naturally adapts to any deodorant that you use constantly, so it is a good idea to mix it up occasionally. This way your body does not gain resistance to the ingredients that fight against odours. Use what works best for you, but don’t be scared to try something new.

Check out our range of Natural Deodorants (remember, we’re always adding more!)