If you’re thinking about switching from the standard aluminum deodorant to a natural deodorant option, I’m here to tell you, don’t sweat it.
In recent years, I’ve seen a huge shift towards clean beauty products. It’s not just in the media or on blogs. I have seen plenty of my friends make the switch, too. One of the most-used natural products to take over has been deodorant. The concern here is obviously whether or not the ingredients in conventional deodorants are healthy. It’s something that we wear constantly, so it is pretty important that it isn’t detrimental to our wellbeing.
On the flip side, what is natural deodorant, and does it really work? They all claim to provide odor protection, but do any of them work as well as the regular stuff we’re used to buying? Will it last all day long, and can it prevent you from sweating? Let’s talk about what natural deodorant is, and isn’t. Plus, I’ve got a few natural deodorant suggestions to get you started when you decide to make the switch!
Related: Home Remedies for Your Skin That Actually Work
The Difference Between Deodorant and Antiperspirant
Before we move on, let’s clear up what we’re talking about here. Deodorants and antiperspirants are different products. Deodorants are called such because they literally deodorize the smell of sweat. Antiperspirants make you sweat, or perspire, less. Most of what we actually call deodorant – the stuff you’ve been buying from store shelves and putting on for most of your life – is likely both a deodorant and an antiperspirant.
It’s just a lot easier to simply say “deodorant” when referring to these products. While we’re talking about the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant, let’s talk about how they work in a basic sense.
How Deodorant Works
Like I said, deodorant is the stuff that keeps you smelling pleasant. It actually does more than just mask the smell, though. The sweat itself doesn’t actually smell like anything. It’s an odorless liquid that your skin secretes to help regulate your body temperature. So, where does that stink come from?
That musky smell is actually from the bacteria naturally found on your skin. As the bacteria break down the proteins in sweat, that’s where the scent comes from. But when you apply deodorant, the product works by killing the bacteria on your skin.
How Antiperspirants Work
Like I said, antiperspirants are actually a different product, although most of what we commonly refer to as “deodorant” is actually a combination of both a deodorant and an antiperspirant.
Antiperspirants don’t do anything with bacteria to prevent smells, they just prevent you from sweating altogether. They do this with aluminum-based compounds. These compounds block the sweat pores on the outer layer of your skin, reducing the amount of sweat that makes it to the surface.
What About the Risk of Cancer?
Let’s knock one prevalent concern out first: does the use of deodorant/antiperspirant containing aluminum increase the risk of or cause breast cancer? Good news! There is no scientific proof that aluminum in these products causes cancer. In fact, the American Cancer Society says there is no scientific evidence that using antiperspirants will cause or worsen breast cancer.
There are others who believe that aluminum salt, which is what prevents you from sweating, also prevents you from sweating out toxins. Fortunately, this is also untrue. Toxins that could potentially cause cancer are not expelled from your body through underarm perspiration. Your kidneys and liver help remove these toxins from your body.
Of course, none of this means you shouldn’t switch to a natural product if you want to. Personally, I like to use natural products as often as I can, with ingredients I am comfortable with. And if you are concerned about health risks surrounding conventional underarm products, go ahead and make the switch.
Other Concerning Ingredients
Outside of rumors concerning aluminum, there are actually some other ingredients present in antiperspirants and deodorants that could be harmful. These are the real toxic ingredients to be on the lookout for!
Deodorants and plenty of other personal care items contain parabens. These are a group of chemical preservatives, and they are used to prevent the growth of bacteria and molds. Parabens include butylparaben, isobutylparaben, propylparaben, and more. There is still plenty we don’t know about parabens conclusively, but there is definitely concern over whether they disrupt hormone function.
Personal care items also often contain triclosan, and likewise, you can find them in some deodorants and antiperspirants. It is used to prevent bacterial contamination, and it also kills bacteria when applied to the surface of the skin. Although the FDA has long said that there are no known hazards associated with triclosan, recent studies have started looking at its link to unusual hormone activity and how it may have detrimental effects on our health.
Deodorants and antiperspirants may also contain phthalates. These chemicals act as a binding agent and are also used to make plastic (like all that packaging) soft and flexible. In products with lasting scents, like deodorant, phthalates are often used to make that smell stick around longer. Researchers have linked phthalates to behavioral issues, neurodevelopmental issues, asthma, breast cancer, and fertility issues, just to name a few.
You’re likely to find the word “fragrance” in the list of ingredients, as well. These can sometimes be phthalates, or they may be any other myriad of ingredients. It’s impossible to know what chemicals are being hidden under that word because scents are protected under trade law.
Are Natural Antiperspirants a Thing?
To be clear, there are no natural antiperspirants on the market. Aluminum is the only FDA-approved sweat inhibitor on the market. And since it can’t be an ingredient in a natural product, there are technically no natural antiperspirants. If you need something that literally prevents sweat, you’re stuck with the conventional aluminum antiperspirants on store shelves.
However, there are natural deodorants that may work to help keep you dry. These products don’t actually include anything that penetrates and blocks your sweat ducts, but they contain ingredients that work a different way. It’s not the same, but it could help. The ingredients can help absorb moisture and dry the area. In other words, they won’t prevent sweat, but they can help keep you drier than au naturale.
Choosing a Natural Deodorant
Unfortunately, it can feel like there is a sea of natural options out there, and basically, none of them work. Part of the problem? You need to give your body time to adjust! It’s pretty common for people to need a couple of weeks. You might feel like you’re sweating a lot more, but you just need to give your body time to get used to sweating again.
It’s also important to remember that a natural deodorant’s job is to squash the stench, not keep you bone dry. If you’re expecting the product to keep you from sweating the same way an aluminum antiperspirant does, you’re never going to get what you want.
When switching to natural deodorant, you may need to try out different options before finding the one that works best for you, too. None of us are the same, so none of us will have the same reactions. Be prepared to test out different brands to find the one that’s right for your body chemistry.
Now, if you’re ready to start your natural deodorant journey, here are some top picks to help get you started!
Real Purity Roll-On Natural Deodorant
This quick-drying roll-on formula will last all day long. Made with pure essential oils, it’ll give you a clean scent, and aloe and vegetable glycerin will help keep you feeling dry.
Freedom Natural Aluminum Free Deodorant Stick
As expected, this natural deodorant is free of aluminum, parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances. The all-natural fragrance is a mix of cypress, coriander, lavender, coconuts, and lemons. It is also animal cruelty-free!
Dove Beauty 0% Aluminum Refillable Deodorant
Even big beauty brands are jumping on the natural deodorant trend. Dove Beauty has an aluminum-free deodorant that provides up to 48 hours of odor protection, and it contains glycerin for smooth skin. You’ll find it comes in a few different fresh scents to choose from, and the fact that it’s a big brand like Dove means it’s readily available at a variety of stores.
As an added bonus, Dove’s aluminum-free deodorant is also refillable. The deodorant stick comes in a stainless steel case that you can reuse, in an effort to reduce plastic packaging waste.
Native Deodorant
There are no parabens, phthalates, talc, or aluminum in Native, a deodorant that contains only naturally derived ingredients. They come in a variety of scents that work for all genders, too: cucumber and mint; eucalyptus and mint; coconut and vanilla; lavender and rose.
Lume Deodorant for Underarms & Private Parts
Lume says that their whole body deodorant is clinically proven to provide 72-hour odor control. Like the others, there’s no aluminum, artificial fragrances, talc, sulfates, or parabens. This natural deodorant is the first deodorant that is safe to use anywhere on your body.
