What You Need To Know About Switching To A Natural Deodorant
Have you thought about (or tried) making the switch to natural deodorant? Last week, we asked our audience about their experience with natural deodorant, and half of you said yes, you have given it a go.
When we asked what they all thought of it, opinions were split, but many had one thing in common: the transition to natural deodorant and learning to love it… doesn’t come instantly. So we want to dive into what you need to know about switching to a natural deodorant, including what it actually is, why it works for some people but not others, and what using natural deodorant really means for your body.
We also want to mention the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant, because it plays an important role in understanding the benefits of natural deodorant. Deodorant is meant to mask odors, and antiperspirant is designed to stop us from sweating. So, let’s talk about why we sweat, why we smell, how we can prevent those from happening, and if we should prevent them from happening.
Why switching to natural deodorant might be right for you
We’re collectively becoming more aware of the ingredients in our everyday products and opting for more natural alternatives that are better for our bodies and the environment around us. Natural deodorant absolutely falls into this category, and here are a few more reasons why making the switch might be good for you:
You’re in your reproductive journey. If you are trying to conceive, pregnant, or a new mama, you might be looking for ways to keep your body’s natural microbiota (the bacteria unique to you and your body) as unaltered as possible. Your microbiome is transferred to your baby through skin-to-skin contact, which you can read more about here.
Other products are causing issues. If you’re noticing your skin is feeling sensitive, dry, or itchy with your current deodorant, it might be time for a switch. Certain fragrances, essential oils, or other additives may not be the best fit for your skin, and aluminum-based salts could be adding to the irritation. It might be time to switch up what you’re using to see how your skin responds.
You want peace of mind. Minimizing exposure to any chemicals or unnatural ingredients is good practice to keep. If you heard that traditional deodorants and antiperspirants could increase your risk of cancer, the National Cancer Institute states there have been no scientific studies showing evidence of antiperspirants containing aluminum are linked to a higher risk of breast cancer. However, what we do know is that aluminum salts in antiperspirants can collect in breast tissue after being absorbed through the skin, and switching to a more natural product that your skin responds to better can help you take control of your health and wellness and give you that added peace of mind.
Why do we sweat?
Sweating is a normal and healthy bodily function and helps us cool off when we get too hot. It’s an important process that helps maintain our natural homeostasis and the right body temperature.
Why do we have body odor?
Warm environments are bacteria’s best friend, and our underarms are a perfect spot for bacteria to thrive. Plus, our sweat acts as a snack for them. Unfortunately, those bacteria can produce a smell after consuming that sweat, and that’s what we know as body odor. This smell is also influenced by things like diet, hormones, lifestyle, and certain health conditions. Even traditional deodorants that many of us have used for years could be changing our skin’s ecosystem and causing new or different bacteria that produce stronger odors than before. If you have ever changed deodorants because you noticed it wasn’t working like it used to, this might help explain why.
How do traditional deodorants and antiperspirants work?
Deodorants minimize odor and tamp down on bacteria, but they don’t prevent you from sweating. They combat smell-producing bacteria by using antimicrobial ingredients or ethanol. Antiperspirants on the other hand use aluminum salts to clog sweat glands, stopping sweat altogether and the bacteria that eat it. But as we said, that sweat production is an important physiological function your body uses to cool itself down. This is especially important in pregnancy when you’re prone to overheating.
Many traditional deodorants come as a combination with antiperspirant to pack in protection against both smell and sweat. It might sound like a good thing getting two smell-fighting powers in one, but people have started to wonder what effect this has on our bodies.
Just like the bacteria in your gut, the bacteria that live in the skin on your underarms is part of the body's delicate microbiome. A small experimental study in 2016 found that traditional deodorants and antiperspirants change the skin's ecosystem. People who didn’t use traditional deodorant or antiperspirant had the bacteria called Corynebacterium, which does produce body odor but it’s also an important bacteria for fighting off infections.
What makes natural deodorant different?
Natural deodorants are designed to help promote a better skin microbiome than traditional products. They do not contain aluminum-based salts like traditional antiperspirants and are generally made with natural ingredients that are antibacterial, absorbent, and fragrant. While they won’t stop sweat production (not necessarily a bad thing) they will help mask your natural body odor using clean ingredients. You’ll often find things like coconut oil, essential oils, baking soda, or arrowroot in these types of products.
What to expect when switching to natural deodorant
You are unique and your skin is too. When switching any skincare products, your skin might react differently, as you have a diverse and special set of bacteria unique to you. Certain ingredients might go well with your skin, while others could cause irritation — and that can be different from woman to woman. So the natural deodorant your best friend loves might work wonders for you too, or it might not suit you at all. Paying attention to how your body responds is so important!
Your body will need time to adjust. Patience is key when it comes to switching to a natural deodorant. Some people call it the ‘detox' period, and it can take a few days or even a few weeks for your body to rebalance your microbiome after being altered for so long. This was the #1 issue our community raised when switching to natural options. It’s mainly because, in that detox time, body odor can heighten in intensity. But after a few weeks of using natural deodorant, many women find their natural odor improves.
It’s about finding the right scent for you. We all smell differently, and without products altering your bacteria and body odor, it might be easier for you to find the fragrance that complements your natural scent best! This study found that we all actually perceive scents in unique ways due to our genetic makeup. You might find that the citrusy variety your best friend loves just doesn’t smell good when you use it, but lavender-based scents make you feel like your best, freshest self.
We’d love to know your thoughts on natural deodorant. Have you tried it? Do you love it or hate it? And if you’re a natural deodorant convert let us know your favorite brands in the comments below!
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