Is it just me or does it feel like everyone is coming around to the idea of natural deodorant? Or at least we are realizing just how bad run-of-the-mill deodorant is. So with that in mind, I thought it was about time to sit down and dive into deodorant, why we use it, why generic deodorant is so bad, and why we should make the switch to a natural deodorant. Sorry not sorry if this blog post makes you run to your bathroom to check the ingredients on your deodorant, maybe it’s time to try something new. Let’s dive right in, shall we!

What Is Deodorant & Why Do We Use It?

There are two main options on the market, deodorant and antiperspirant. “Deodorant masks odor, while an antiperspirant reduces how much you sweat… Deodorants offer two forms of protection against odor. The first is antimicrobial properties that reduce the number of bacteria producing odor. The second is a fragrance that masks odor that is produced. Antiperspirants block your body’s eccrine glands, which make sweat. This is usually done with an aluminum-based ingredient. Deodorants are considered cosmetic, but antiperspirants are under the classification of a drug.”

We are not going to talk much about antiperspirant in this post but I wanted to highlight the key differences. Now I do understand that some people do truly require what an antiperspirant offers as their bodies naturally produce sweat on a different level. So if that is you, I am by no means wanting to shame you or make you feel bad if a natural deodorant is not an option for you. But I hope this is still an educational post for you and that you find some good information here.

The “stink” we notice coming from our armpits that we generally attribute to sweating, is actually not caused by the sweat at all! Rather it is being caused by bacteria that is able to grow and thrive in the dark, warm and damp environment that is your armpit. We will talk a little bit later about why this is important to know when making the switch to a natural deodorant.

What Is REALLY In Deodorant?

As we talked about earlier, the main purpose of a deodorant is to either kill the odor-causing bacteria or to cover up the odor. So because of this, we can quickly assume that generic deodorants probably contain some pretty harmful ingredients. Deodorant contains either an alcohol ingredient or artificial chemicals such as Triclosan to kill the odor-causing bacteria. But you know what also kills odor-causing bacteria and isn’t toxic for your body? That’s right, soap! You can use something as simple as a wash cloth with some water and soap to clean your underarms on the days where you are not having a shower or know that you need a little extra freshness.

The other purpose of deodorant is to mask the smell of odor-causing bacteria, so this means that the majority of deodorants on the market contain fragrances (fragrance on an ingredient label is a blanket term and it is not required for the company to divulge what exactly is in their “fragrance” concoction.) They also contain parabens, aluminum, propylene glycol, and biological additives.

There are a lot of cases, studies, and arguments over the harmfulness of generic deodorant with some studies stating that you have nothing to worry about when using generic deodorant containing all of the ingredients listed above. While other studies show the direct link from generic deodorants and antiperspirants to things like breast cancer, kidney issues, hormone imbalances, and more. So what is the alternative? Natural deodorant!

Natural Deodorant – The Difference

One of the biggest things that stood out to me when looking into the switch from generic to natural deodorant is that generic deodorant is not recommended for pregnant women. So if it is not recommended and strongly discouraged for pregnant women, then why are we using it to begin with? Shouldn’t we be prioritizing putting clean, non-toxic, natural products on our bodies no matter what, especially for women. As women, our bodies are so sensitive to what we put on our bodies and our hormones are the first to be disrupted when we use toxic and generic products full of fragrance, preservatives, etc. Our armpits are such a sensitive and high absorbency area, so we need to be so careful about what we put on them. So what exactly is in natural deodorant that makes it different? Well, the simple answer is, less. Less ingredients, clean ingredients, and ingredients you can read and understand. For example, the Natural Deodorant Creme from AVNS has a super simple ingredient list which includes ingredients such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, arrowroot powder, and unrefined beeswax. And it is scented with 100% pure essential oils, no fragrances or fake ingredients.

Now don’t get me wrong, the switch to natural deodorant can be tricky and some of you might have tried it in the past, got frustrated with it, and went back to your old deodorant. I don’t blame you, if you don’t know what to expect or how to make the switch, it can be a discouraging process. As mentioned earlier, what makes us “stink” is not our sweat itself but the bacteria build up in our armpits. So first things first, you want to make sure that your armpits are clean daily. You do not have to shower every day, just take a wash cloth or non-toxic wipe for sensitive skin and wipe down the area before you apply your deodorant. When you apply your natural deodorant, follow the directions given by the brand as each natural deodorant has a different application process. The next step is very important, give your self time to adjust. Your armpits will probably go through a bit of a detox and adjustment period, you might notice the smell gets worse before it gets better, but your body just needs a bit of time to adjust to the clean and non-toxic deodorant. Don’t give up! It is so worth it to stick with it and your body, your hormones, and your armpits will thank you.

AVNS Natural Deodorant Creme (Unscented & Regular)

Moisturize and deodorize those pits with our all natural, aluminum-free deodorant cremes. Made with anti-bacterial, odor absorbing ingredients like organic virgin coconut oil, diatomaceous earth, aluminum free baking soda, arrowroot powder, and white kaolin clay, our natural deodorant creme is safe and effective.

Our unscented version fights hard with the anti-bacterial, odor absorbing base ingredients (perfect for sensitive skin.)

Our regular deodorant adds an extra level of protection with the antibacterial essential oils of tea tree, lavender, and lemon.

Made with safe, natural ingredients you can trust:
Organic virgin coconut oil, organic virgin jojoba, organic arrowroot powder, aluminum free baking soda, diatomaceous earth, white kaolin clay and unrefined beeswax. Our “Regular” version also contains essential oils of lavender, organic tea tree, and lemon.

Directions: Using a dime-sized amount of deodorant, allow it to warm between fingers before gently applying to the underarm area until fully absorbed. Use as needed.

With so many people making the switch to natural deodorant, it is high time that AVNS put their name in the running for a generic deodorant alternative. With all natural ingredients and tried and true results, the switch to natural deodorant will not only leave your underarms smelling fresh, but your body and hormones will thank you! You can also have peace of mind knowing that you are not putting toxins, heavy metals, or fake fragrances on your body. I truly hope this post was educational, informational, and helpful to you as you take the leap and make the switch to natural deodorant and the next step into a cleaner, non-toxic lifestyle.

What is your favorite natural deodorant brand? What other products do you love to use to promote fresh underarms? Let us know what you thought in the comments below and let’s start a conversation.

If you found this post interesting, learned something new, or think of someone who might enjoy reading it too, please share this blog post with your family and friends. It means the world to us! You can also leave us a comment to let us know what you learned or share one of your favorite hair care or skin care tips with us. We would love to hear from you!

All my love and have a happy week,

Amanda

Sources:

https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/difference-between-deodorant-and-antiperspirant