You may think that natural deodorants are for extreme hippies only, or maybe you don't think about deodorant at all. Maybe you have just been using the same deodorant & antiperspirant everyday because that's what you have always used since your first gym day at school.
This post is meant to encourage you to think about the ingredients in your deodorant, what they do and discover the potential harm of the products you put on your pits daily.
What's the harm?
There are many potentially harmful or toxic ingredients in the average drugstore deodorant/antiperspirant. Aluminum is used to block sweat but has been shown in studies to be linked to Alzheimer's and breast cancer. Aluminum compounds can also cause hormonal disruptions. My advice would be to look for an Aluminum-free deodorant but make sure to read the ingredient labels because there may still be other harmful ingredients in it's place. Check out my previous post Ingredients to Avoid in Skin and Body Care Products to educate yourself on some ingredients to look out for.
No Sweat, No Problem?
Actually, sweating is important for your body to perform many functions. Which means YOU SHOULD SWEAT. Sweating is a major way for your body to rid itself of toxins, regulate body temperature, and help your body rid itself of sickness. So if you have been using an antiperspirant your whole life, think about how much toxic build-up you may have. The most important thing to know about switching to natural deodorant is that you will sweat, and it does take some getting used to. There is a sort of pit detox you will go through as your body transitions to the use of the natural deodorants.
Suggestions & Tips
Here are a few suggestions & tips I have if you are thinking about making the switch to natural deodorant:
1. Give yourself time to adjust and really test out the product. Natural deodorants do not perform the same ways as the ones you are used to and you may want to give up on it right away if you are a little sweatier or smellier than usual. I suggest trying out a natural deodorant on the weekend to see how it works. Also, keep the deodorant in your bag or bring it with you to reapply throughout the day if needed. Some natural deodorants can work just as well as traditional deodorants but may wear off quicker. I like to keep trial/travel size deodorants in my purse just in case. You will need to experiment with how much to apply and how often.
2. Read reviews or ask friends for recommendations. If you are not familiar with natural brands that offer deodorants start by researching products and reading reviews. Or if you know someone who uses natural deodorant, ask them which ones they love or didn't love. ( I will be posting a review in the next week or two of several deodorants I've been testing out).
3. You are probably going to have to try out several natural deodorants to find one that works with your body. Even if a deodorant has good reviews, it does not necessarily mean that it's right for you. Start by buying trial sizes or purchase from stores who have a lenient return policy in case the product does not work for you.
4. Be open minded through the process of switching to natural deodorant. The ingredients, textures and scents are going to be different to what you are used to. For instance, some natural deodorants are in paste form in a jar which may be a bit weird but they do work! The scents are most likely to be more natural and subtle since they are essential oil scents as opposed to artificial fragrances.
5. Feel free to do some more research into toxic ingredients and natural deodorants. I have simplified the important facts and experiences I went through in my journey to switching to natural deodorants, but there is much more information to read!
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