Natural Deodorant That Works? – Which Is The Best Organic Deo Out There?

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Banging out an intense session of cardio, commuting on a crowded bus or train, or going out on your first date –all of these scenarios make underarm gush inevitable. To tamp down body odor, deodorants are often the go-to solution. However, conventional deodorants and antiperspirants pack several toxic ingredients that can harm you, the environment, or both. That’s why you need to switch to a natural deodorant.

Not only do natural deodorants combat odor, but they also do so without disrupting sweating, an essential natural body function. They’re packed with plant-based ingredients that offer several other benefits, leaving you feeling not only confident due to amazing fragrances but also feeling secure about what you’re applying to your skin.

If you’re ready to switch and looking for a natural deodorant that works, you’re in luck. In this post, we’ll share the problem with chemical-based deodorants, the benefits of switching to a natural deodorant, and our top picks of the best natural deodorants in the market.

The Problem with Chemical-Based Deodorants

The cosmetic industry has been carrying a dark secret for decades. But with time, consumers have become more conscious, and the secret is out. Cosmetic products, such as soaps, shampoos, facewash, perfumes, make-up, and other personal hygiene products, pack over 10,000 toxic chemicals that can potentially affect your health and the environment. Deodorants are among the most dangerous chemicals out there. We use them multiple times every day to inhibit our body’s natural secretion of toxins. How? Simply put, the chemicals in traditional deodorants clog skin follicles and limit your sweat secretion. They also release several chemicals into the body, including:

1. Parabens

Parabens are commonly used as preservatives to prolong the shelf life of products. However, many studies show that they rank among the most harmful additives out there, especially for women. They mimic the function of estrogen in the body and disrupt hormonal balances potentially leading to prostate and breast cancer.

2. Aluminum

The problem with Aluminum in deodorants and antiperspirants is that it prevents sweating by clogging your pores. Due to this, the body is unable to eliminate toxins, and consistent Aluminum accumulation can lead to severe health problems, such as Alzheimer’s disease and breast cancer.

3. Triclosan

According to the FDA, Triclosan is a pesticide, which should concern users because it is one of the most common ingredients in traditional deodorants. While the chemical actively kills bacteria upon contact with the skin, it also decreases the levels of some thyroid hormones. [1]

Natural Deodorants – A Safer and Smarter Alternative

If you’re ready to toss your traditional deodorant or antiperspirant into the trash, you’ll need an alternative to keep the smelly pits at bay. By opting for a natural deodorant, you’re essentially switching from synthetic and artificial ingredients to natural ingredients with antibacterial and disinfectant properties. Some of these ingredients include:

• Coconut oil
• Baking soda
• Kaolin clay
• Tea tree oil
• Green tea
• Corn starch
• Lavender
• Sandalwood
• Shea butter
• Arrowroot
• Eucalyptus, etc.

However, please note that natural deodorants might not produce the same results as their traditional counterparts. Instead, their role is to minimize odor in your underarms as the body naturally produces sweat. Just because their fragrances aren’t as strong as traditional deodorants, they still have a pleasant and unique scent that complements your biochemistry. As long as you shower regularly and maintain personal hygiene, natural deodorants will serve you well in everyday circumstances.

Benefits of Switching to a Natural Deodorant

Natural deodorants are making some serious noise in the market and on the internet for a good reason. They pack natural plant-based ingredients that cause no harm to you or the environment. By switching to a natural deodorant that works for you, you can reap the following benefits:

1. They’re chemical-Free

When you switch to a natural deodorant that works, you don’t have to worry about parabens, Aluminum compounds, TEA, or DEA. These deodorants pack natural ingredients, such as coconut oil, lavender oil, and baking soda. These ingredients pose no threat to the body or the environment as long as you use them correctly.

2. Natural Deodorants Allow You to Sweat

Sweating is an essential body function that regulates temperature and aids cooling. Sweat exits the body via your pores in your skin. Traditional deodorants block these pores and disrupt the natural cooling process. On the contrary, natural deodorants allow your body to continue to sweat and cool down while combating odor and killing bacteria in the process.

3. They Combat Odor Naturally

Sweat isn’t responsible for body odor. It’s the bacteria on your skin that makes you stink. The best natural deodorants pack several ingredients with antibacterial properties, such as coconut oil and tea tree oil. These ingredients naturally kill bad bacteria in your sweat and conceal bad odors.

4. They’re Safe for Your Skin

No one can deny that they’ve experienced skin irritation when applying deodorants to underarms after shaving. However, natural deodorants contain ingredients with skin-conditioning properties like kernel oil. Once you find a natural deodorant that works for you, you can prevent skin irritations and problems, especially allergic skin rashes. However, be sure to check the labelings to find out if the product contains any ingredients you’re allergic to.

5. They’re Environmentally Friendly

The benefits of natural deodorants don’t stop at your body. By opting for natural alternatives, you can help protect the environment as these products contain sustainable, non-toxic ingredients. Some companies take eco-friendliness one step further by making recyclable containers and packaging too.

6. Some Products Might Naturally Reduce Sweat

Our bodies respond differently to separate products, and traditional deodorants can make you sweat more than usual as your body fights more to eliminate toxins. Natural deodorants don’t disrupt sweating but can make you sweat less naturally due to plant-based ingredients, such as chamomile and sage.

The Best Natural Deodorants in the Market – Our Top 5 Picks

You can choose from hundreds of natural deodorants in the market. Finding the right kind for your body and lifestyle will require time and effort, especially when you’re transitioning from traditional deodorants and antiperspirants. Here are our top 5 picks of the best natural deodorants in the market:

1. Dove 0% Aluminum Deodorant

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Dove is one of the most popular cosmetic and personal care product brands in the world. The 0% Aluminum deodorant makes a valuable addition to the natural deodorant market that mainly comprises less popular brands. Since Dove is a widely reputable company, most people looking to switch to non-toxic alternatives consider this a viable option during the transition. As the name suggests, it is 100% Aluminum-free and offers 24-hour protection. Other plant-based ingredients include shear butter and flower extract.

Pros

• 100% Aluminum and alcohol-free
• 24-hour protection

Cons

• Contains a small percentage of propylene glycol

2. Ursa Major Hoppin’ Fresh Deodorant

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Most natural deodorants have a gritty feel, but not Ursa Major. This product features a gel-like consistency that is similar to traditional options. It contains many sweat-absorbing and long-lasting fragrant ingredients, such as rosemary, kaolin clay, baking soda, peppermint, and eucalyptus.

Pros

• Stain-proof
• Suitable for all weather conditions
• Long-lasting fragrance
• Has an earthy pinewood smell

Cons

• Many users complained the stick falls out after a few uses
• On the sticky side

3. Native Deodorant (Eucalyptus and Mint)

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Native (eucalyptus and mint) deodorant is among the most affordable natural deodorants in the market today. It contains plant-based ingredients, such as coconut oil, vanilla, cucumber, and mint. The product is 100% aluminum-free and comes with a neutral scent. Feels light and fresh and does not contain any phtalates and parabene. The product contains baking soda, so might not be ideal for those with sensitive skin.

Pros

• Lasting protection
• Feels light and fresh
• Aluminum free
• Parabene free
• Suitable for men and women

Cons

• Contains baking soda

4. Schmidt’s Jasmine Tea Sensitive Skin Formula

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Schmidt’s is one of the most popular brands in the natural deodorant market. Its Jasmine Tea Sensitive Skin Formula is baking soda free, which can cause skin irritations in sensitive people. Instead, it contains magnesium which essentially serves the same purpose without the side effects. Other active ingredients in the product apart from jasmine tea include black pepper, rose, coconut, and pineapple.

Pros

• Replaces baking soda with magnesium to reduce skin irritation
• Perfect for new users still transitioning
• For both women and men
• Certified natural product

Cons

• A bit waxy

5. Routine Superstar Natural Deodorant Cream

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If you don’t fancy a stick-based natural deodorant, we highly recommend the Routine Superstar Deodorant Cream. Active ingredients in this product include kaolin clay, baking soda, and magnesium. To maximize odor protection, it includes activated charcoal that has toxin-absorbing properties.

Pros

• Activated charcoal amplifies the natural deodorant’s benefits
• Contains both baking soda and magnesium for double action

Cons

• Must be applied with fingers since it’s not a stick

Verdict – which is the best natural deodorant?

According to our research, the best natural deodorant is Native, the effect is long lasting, the fragrance is nice, it’s an aluminum free deodorant and it does not contain any other harmful materials.

Frequently Asked Questions

The following are some frequently asked questions about natural deodorants:

1. How to switch to natural deodorant?

The first step to switching to a natural deodorant involves armpit detox to get rid of bacteria and deodorant stains on your skin. During the transition, you might experience rash or irritations as the toxic chemicals slowly leave your skin. Then, you can try out a natural deodorant that works for you and complete the transition.

2. Why it is better to use a natural deodorant?

Natural deodorants are better than their traditional counterparts because they don’t contain any toxic chemicals that might harm the body or environment. Secondly, they also ensure that the sweating process isn’t disrupted so your body continues to eliminate internal toxins.

3. Why do my natural deodorant give me a rash?

Most natural deodorants contain baking soda, which has a higher pH than the human body. In an attempt to neutralize body odor, it can often give you a temporary rash, especially when you newly switch to a natural alternative.

4. How do natural crystal deodorants work?

Natural crystal deodorants come with an active mineral salt called potassium alum. The salt reacts with wet, clean skin to form a protective layer that limits odor-causing bacteria growth. They typically last longer than most natural deodorants (up to 24 hours).

Conclusion

Forget all the myths you have heard about natural deodorants not being as effective as their traditional counterparts in eliminating bad odors. These deodorants are not only equally effective but come with a myriad of other health and environmental benefits as you may have read above. However, finding a natural deodorant that works for you is a very personal process, and will probably require trial and error due to hundreds of products featuring different fragrances and active ingredients.

The products in our list are the best natural deodorants in the market so you can narrow down your search and try them out to pick one that suits your body and preference in scents. Are you interested in other natural products? Check out our review on natural mosquito repellents that work  or have a look at the guide about organic air fresheners that are healthy and do not harm the environment.