Natural Deodorant Review!
People are increasingly interested in trying natural (aluminum free) deodorants. However, many women (especially those who work out and sweat regularly) are a bit skeptical as we’ve been taught to feel uncomfortable looking too sweaty. Luckily, to teenage Julia’s dismay, my mom has been making my wear natural deodorants since day one. That means that despite being only 27 I have well over a decade’s worth of experience with the stuff and it’s evolution. We’ve come a long way since the crystal roll ons at the natural foods store that made us all smell like we’d just returned from a seven day hike through clouds of burning sage.
There are no definitive studies showing that the aluminum in conventional antiperspirant (the active ingredient responsible for blocking sweat glands) is directly linked to a bad outcome. While there are some loose associations that have been made between wearing antiperspirants and both Alzheimers and Breast Cancer, no one is sure yet. We all have some aluminum in our bodies as it is and low levels are not necessarily that bad for us.
A review of what we know now:
The aluminum salt compound in antiperspirants is very effective at blocking sweat glands. Aluminum is also the ingredient that proponents of natural deodorant are most actively concerned with.
Sweat itself doesn’t smell (it’s just water and salt). The smell you get is from salty sweat mixing with the bacteria on the surface of your skin.
Like many things that block or kill bacteria (antibiotics, for example), the good bacteria often dies along with the bad bacteria that you wanted to kill. This can mean that you might grow reliant on antiperspirant. After a bit of time off it, you might find that your body naturally combats some bad odors/bacteria with good bacteria.
The right hygiene routine and a good natural deodorant might be all you need.
I think we should all get more comfortable just looking sweaty (its normal, tons of mainsteam men’s deodorants aren’t antiperspirants, and we are exercising and should be sweaty!). However, I also think it’s important to feel comfortable and confident working out. Deodorant is a pretty personal choice, so wear whatever makes you feel good (feeling good —> better workout). Just like makeup, antiperspirant is not necessary for exercise. But if it makes you feel good and work harder, then who am I to tell you to stop wearing it? I know I work harder when I’m wearing stuff that makes me feel great.
That being said - if you’re curious about shifting over to natural deodorant and don’t know where to start, this might be a great time to start! It’s beginning to be fall so the weather’s cooler (we’ll all be less sweaty!), and a lot of companies are coming out with great options that don’t just make you smell like you’ve been hiking for weeks on end.
Side note: I think it’s funny that people think sweating a lot in heated classes like hot yoga is “detoxing” (it’s not, sweat’s just salt and water) but still wear anti-persperant that blocks sweat glands to that very class??? But, do what you want!
Reasons to try
Sweating is natural and should be more socially acceptable! Mainstream brands have been selling aluminum free deodorant in the men’s section since the beginning of deodorant times.
You may grow reliant on antiperspirant - it blocks sweat, but it also blocks the good bacteria your body produces to combat odors.
The aluminum salt compound is what’s responsible for some of those salty sweat stains on your shirts.
Itchy, blocked pores or dry underarm skin might be a result of using antiperspirant regularly.
If the loose association with breast cancer and alzheimers scares you and you’d rather be safe than sorry. Again, it’s not proven at all.
There are a bunch of cool new brands, so even if it hasn’t worked in the past that doesn’t mean you should give up. There are a bunch of differences between the brands - some contain baking soda, some don’t. Some contain witch hazel to help shrink pores. Some contain soothing essential oils to reduce irritation. The list goes on.
Tips on getting started
Carry it with you and apply more often than antiperspirant. I end up applying natural deodorant a bit more often than the traditional antiperspirant deodorants - it might not be necessary, but I feel better when I’m confident that I don’t smell bad.
Transition slowly. Start by wearing it on rest/non workout days. After you feel used to that, try it out at the gym.
Switch it up. No matter how good a deodorant is, after a while I start to associate the smell with my armpits and sweat. This might just be me, but I prefer to change it up every once in a while.
Give it a fair chance. Your body might need a week or two to adapt to a new deodorant.
Exfoliate underarms. This can help reduce bad bacteria and dead skin cells that contribute to bad body odor.
Know common irritants. Baking soda, parabens, and propylene glycol are common irritants. These might not bother you (they don’t tend to bother me). If you get a deodorant that does bother you, just note whether any of those were on the ingredient list and avoid that ingredient in the future.
Don’t make yourself choose. Wear it as often as you feel comfortable, but it’s ok to keep the strong stuff on standby for important events (especially with silk shirts!)
5 Common Brands, Reviewed
Current favorite
Love Beauty and Planet - Muru Muru Butter and Rose Scent.
This one smells awesome (like roses!), but they also have other scents if you’re not into smelling like a rose. I was skeptical because it looked a little cheesy on display at the store, but I like this one more than some of the more expensive brands I tested. It’s really cheap and sold at Walgreens and Target.
Runner up.
Dove 0% Aluminum - Cucumber and Lime
The Dove cucumber and lime scented deodorant was the first deodorant I ever bought as a teen (without my mother or my mother’s wallet present, of course). I’ve never gotten tired of the scent so I was excited when they came out with a line of aluminum free deodorants. It has a moderate price point - expensive for the drug store, but cheap compared to fancy brands found at department and specialty stores.
Trendy but overrated.
Malin and Goetz - Eucalyptus
I see this one advertised all over SF, plus a Malin + Goetz store just opened in Hayes Valley by my place. I had to give their pricey deodorant a try for this review - I ended up feeling very disappointed! I felt like my body odor was worse than with no deodorant at all. It’s also $22 for a tiny container. I’d skip it.
Great packaging + scents
Native Deodorant - Coconut + Vanilla
I tried this one after receiving a ton of targeted ads on Instagram. This was one of the first effective aluminum free deodorants I tried after years of being limited to the more hippie smelling scents my parents forced on me growing up. They came out with great scents similar to Dove’s before Dove had their aluminum free line. I think it’s another great brand option - plus Instagram also told me that they offer free returns if you don’t have a good experience.
Great looking scents, but not the best performance.
Schmidt’s - Bergamot and Lime (another scent pictured)
I purchased this one at the same that I purchased the Native one, it was cheaper and seemed like it was sold more places so I wanted to like it. I don’t think it’s great, but its affordable and I haven’t tried all the scents (some of the others might be nice!). Not my first choice, but it’s another option.