Are You Ready to Make the Switch to Natural Deodorant?

This blog is about a sticky subject, but thankfully it doesn’t stink! Summer is heating things up, so it's time to explore this embarrassing subject. 
 
Body odor... we're so worried about offending others with our stink that we do whatever it takes to not smell foul. But how well does your typical anti-perspirant work to control your body odor? And are the natural deodorants actually effective?

There are several problems with typical anti-perspirants... 
 

•  They use aluminum to clog your pores. Aluminum does build up in our bodies, especially in our breast tissue. While there is no proven link between aluminum and breast cancer, studies have shown that the aluminum does affect our kidneys’ ability to filter, bone density, and is linked to dementia and Alzheimer's! Is Deodorant Harmful for Your Health? - Penn Medicine 
•   Clogging your pores makes it so the sweat can’t come out... and that’s not a good thing! It causes sweat bacteria to build up in your pores since it can't get out, and it’s the bacteria that causes your sweat to smell. Yuck! Your skin needs to breathe and sweat to combat the bacteria that causes stink. The more anti-perspirant you use, the more you tend to need it to keep the smell at bay because of the bacteria build-up. Deodorants and antiperspirants affect the axillary bacterial community | SpringerLink 
•   Clogging your pores makes it so you can’t sweat to regulate body temperature and push out toxins through our skin. Sweating is an important function! Sweating isn’t the enemy, body odor is, and you’re probably going to stink more if you’re feeling hot because you can’t sweat.  11 Convincing Health Benefits of Sweating | Wellness Mama 
• They typically rely on a chemical soup of synthetic fragrances to cover up your body odor.  Read our previous blogs on the health risks of synthetic fragrances, including endocrine disruption. Hormone imbalances can contribute to body odor! Hormonal Imbalance That Causes Body Odor (healthfully.com)

​Switching to natural deodorant can solve these problems because they don't clog your pores or cover up your stink with harmful fragrances that alter your hormones! The switch can be intimidating, even scary, because it means you'll be able to sweat. Don't worry - your sweat doesn't smell. The bacteria in your skin does. 
 
Switching to a natural deodorant is a process, though. Instead of blocking sweat, natural deodorants work by neutralizing and controlling your odor. If you have been using an anti-perspirant for a long time, it will take a while for your body to adjust - maybe a week to a few weeks. At first you might stink more than ever, simply because your skin has to sweat out the bacteria build up from your formerly clogged pores. Your skin bacteria will need time to reset, but once your skin balances out the bacteria, you will have less stink. Natural deodorants excel at neutralizing whatever odor you have left.  

​Some tips to make the switch to natural deodorant go more smoothly:
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• Sweat as much as you can! Spend time in a dry sauna, take baths with ginger oils, or go exercise! Sweat will clean out your pores and bring that bacteria back into balance.
• ​Consider a chlorophyll supplement. It's nature's internal deodorant. It builds blood, carries more oxygen through the body, and is a potent antioxidant. It's great way to combat the source of your stink. 
• Consider the type of fabric you're wearing. Natural fibers allow your skin your breath, but synthetic fabrics don't breathe well and trap your odor on your body and in the fabric. 
• Apply your natural deodorant immediately after a shower, before the bacteria starts to build up again. It works better when there's less stinky bacteria to combat! 

​Types of Natural Deodorants
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Each person has a different body chemistry and may need a different type of natural deodorant. There are several different types. Let's explore the main ingredients to help decide which type is best for you:

Coconut Oil:​ It contains the antibacterial acids lauric acid, capric acid, and caprylic acid. They can break down biofilm surrounding bacteria and fungus and then kill them, therefore eliminating the source of the odor.  As a bonus, it’s nourishing and moisturizing for your sensitive underarm skin! Coconut oil based deodorants are best for people with sensitive skin who can't tolerate the drying deodorants. 

We suggest Nubian Heritage. 

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Magnesium and Mineral Salts:​ Magnesium Hydroxide is a common ingredient in deodorant because it’s highly effective at absorbing moisture and balancing your p.H. Our skin also absorbs magnesium very well, which is a vital mineral for our overall health. Magnesium is one of the main minerals in Mineral Salts, but the salts contain many minerals that all have antimicrobial properties. Magnesium and Mineral Salt based deodorants are best for people who need to absorb excess dampness and want to avoid all fragrances. It's also the best option for those with acidic bodies, because this will balance the acid levels. 

We suggest: Thai Crystal Deodorant Mist, Naturally Fresh, or Crystal

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Usnea Barbata (Lichen) Extract: This is a potent antibacterial and antifungal agent. It’s often used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to resolve “dampness” in the body, and those same properties help it as a deodorizing agent. This is a great option for people who perspire too much and have sensitive skin.

​We suggest: Kiss My Face Liquid Rock

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Activated Charcoal: Charcoal is a porous substance that is capable of absorbing odors anywhere. It’s often used in bags that can be placed around the house for odor control, so why not use it on your body to absorb your stink? It won't stain your clothes if it's prepared correctly, which is why we carefully chose Schmidt's brand. This is a great option for those who need extra stink protection. 

​We suggest: Schmidt's

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Baking Soda: Baking soda absorbs any odor - why else would we put a box of it in the fridge? It is very effective at absorbing body odor. It's better for people with acidic bodies because it alkaline. It's gentle on sensitive skin, but but some people with dry skin find it irritating. This is not the best solution for everyone, but it is very effective at preventing stink.

We suggest: Humble Deodorant 

​Author: Sarah Langer