How Natural Deodorants Keep You Fresh and Benefit the Environment

Whether you're new to natural living or a seasoned all-natural enthusiast, you've probably heard of natural deodorant. But what exactly is natural deodorant? And how can it keep you smelling fresh and prevent body odor while also benefitting the environment? To find out the answers to these questions and more, read on!

What is natural deodorant?

Natural deodorant is healthy deodorant. Usually made using baking soda, coconut oil, shea butter, activated charcoal, and essential oils for fresh scents like lavender, tea tree, and sandalwood, natural deodorant uses skin-kind ingredients, making it perfect for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

Natural deodorant is easy to make yourself but there are also plenty of options to shop online, like Byron Bay deodorant, in fact, for natural deodorants, Australia is a fantastic place to be. With many, many options, local producers make some of the best natural deodorant products on the market.

Why is natural deodorant better for you?

Natural deodorant is a healthy alternative to conventional deodorants and antiperspirants. Unlike other deodorants, natural alternatives are completely chemical-free. This means no aluminium and no synthetic fragrances.

Aluminium in deodorant has been linked to breast cancer and Alzheimer's, among other diseases, and so sourcing aluminium-free deodorants is essential to your health.

The active ingredient in natural deodorants is usually a powder, like baking soda, tapioca starch, corn starch, or arrowroot powder, which help to absorb moisture gently, and are kind to skin. This is in contrast to many mainstream deodorants which can cause skin irritation.

What kinds of natural deodorant are there?

Natural deodorant comes in many different forms, including bars, like this Ethique deodorant bar (review responses are always great for this product!), a stick, like this Noosa Basics Deodorant Stick (review ratings are also good for this one too!), and even in a tin like this Noosa Basic Deodorant in a Tin (a favourite of ours!). Read on to find some other popular kinds of natural options.

Crystal deodorant: where to buy, how to use etc.

Crystal deodorant is made from a kind of natural mineral salt, call potassium alum, renowned for its antimicrobial properties. The salt helps to reduce odor and kills bacteria on the skin. Crystal deodorant must be used on damp underarms and can come as a stick, a stone, or a spray.

If you're looking to try crystal deodorant, we love these two products:

• Dermal Crystal Deodorant Stick (120g) from Dermal Therapy
• Deonat Crystal Deodorant (review responses are always good for this spray deodorant!)

Magnesium deodorant

Usually used by those who have sensitivities to baking soda, this natural option is free from any skin irritants. Magnesium Hydroxide is safe to use on skin and is a naturally occurring compound that works to absorb moisture, replacing baking soda found in other natural alternatives.

When looking for magnesium deodorant, Australia has lots to offer. With lots of local producers, you have plenty of options! We love this Essential Magnesium Deodorant Spray.

How does natural deodorant keeping you smelling fresh and prevent body odour?

Now, you may be wondering how on earth natural ingredients, mostly from your kitchen, can help you to retain a fresh scent all day. It's pretty simple really. Natural deodorant allows your body to actually sweat.

Sweat has a natural cooling effect on the body, allowing the body to maintain its preferred temperature. The odour we associate with sweat isn't actually the sweat though. In fact, the odour comes from the reaction of sweat (which is actually just water and salt), with odour-causing bacteria on the skin's surface.

Natural deodorant is made using a powder base, usually baking soda, to absorb moisture from the skin's surface. This is paired with essential oils, like lavender, (like this Jason natural deodorant) and tea tree, which have known antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that neutralise bacteria on the skin.

Other essential oils are added too, giving a pleasant scent in a natural way, like this Noosa Basics deodorant, which utilises the scent and antimicrobial effects of lemon myrtle and this Mount Romance Sandalwood Deodorant, which uses sandalwood essential oil.

Is natural deodorant good for sensitive skin?

Natural and aluminum-free deodorants are very good for sensitive skin! This kind of deodorant is packed full of moisturising ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and aloe vera, which makes them perfect for sensitive and dry skin.

For sensitive skin, we love this Dr Organic Aloe Vera Deodorant (review responses attest to its efficacy in both moisturisation and odor elimination!).

How do natural deodorants benefit the environment?

Natural options are much more planet-friendly than conventional deodorant. Firstly, because none of those harmful chemicals found in mainstream products makes their way into the earth's ecosystems. And secondly, because these deodorants tend to come in recyclable packaging, or as bars that require no packaging at all.

In addition, lots of brands that produce this type of deodorant are organic too. Organic deodorant uses ingredients from organic farms that ban all chemical fertilisers and pesticides, preserving soil quality and protecting waterways. For fantastic organic deodorant, Noosa Basics offer this lemon myrtle deodorant stick.

Organic products are sometimes more difficult to find, but for organic deodorant, Australia is a great place to find lots of different options. Check out our range of organic deodorants online today and see for yourself!

How do I transition to natural deodorant?

Transitioning to an all-natural, chemical-free deodorant can be a big change. It is recommended you go au natural for a week or so in between your conventional deodorant and your new deodorant, to allow the sweat glands to unclog and release any toxin build-up. You can also exfoliate during this period, and you should stick to wearing clothes made from natural fabrics, like cotton, to reduce irritation.

If you're not comfortable with going completely deodorant-free or are one of life's heavy sweaters, you can use a combination of essential oils, like lavender and tea tree, on your underarms to banish odor and give off a fresh scent.

And when you're ready to start using your natural, aluminum-free deodorant, there are tonnes to try! Our current favourite is this Noosa Basics Deodorant (review comments adore the lemon myrtle fragrance!) 

Conclusion

An all-natural, chemical-free deodorant is the healthiest option when it comes to your underarms. If you want a product that banishes unpleasant odor and gives off fresh and floral scents, then switching to natural, organic deodorants is an absolute must.

This kind of deodorant features all of the anti-perspirant effects of conventional deodorants, without the side-order of chemicals that are absorbed by the skin, clogging up sweat glands and leading to worse smelling sweat, and even some chronic illnesses.

All of the products featured in this blog are available to shop online and have fantastic health benefits, and even better scents! Check them out today and make the switch to natural, healthier deodorant, for your armpits and for the planet! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I smell worse with natural deodorant?

There may be some initial transitional changes between mainstream deodorant and natural options as the body gets used to the new products. You may also find a worse smell in the first few weeks as the body detoxes from the harmful chemicals found in your previous product. If you find after a few weeks that the deodorant is still not working, try out a new product. All of our bodies are different and respond in different ways to these products, you just need to find the one that suits you!

Do natural deodorants actually work?

Natural deodorants actually work better than conventional deodorants. Unlike conventional products, natural deodorants allow you to sweat, meaning your body can detox while the essential oil ingredients work to kill bacteria on the skin, preventing odor.

How long does it take for your body to adjust to natural deodorant?

It may take a few weeks for your body to adjust to natural deodorants. Allow your body time to get used to the new deodorant and to detox from the old one. In this transition period, you may feel that you smell worse, but this is just the body detoxing and acclimatising to the new product.

What happens when you start using natural deodorant?

When you start using natural deodorants, you will find that the body will detox the old product. you may smell worse during this period as the body expels the toxins from your old deodorant. After your body has adjusted, you should find healthier, less irritated skin.

How do you detox your armpits naturally?

Stopping using mainstream deodorants that are packed full of chemicals and exfoliating your underarms can help to boost the body's natural detoxification process. You may find you smell worse during this detoxification, but know that this is just the body releasing toxins built up during the use of mainstream deodorants.

Is it worth switching to natural deodorant?

Yes! Switching to natural products is always the healthier option for your body! Removing chemicals from your life can protect you from the harmful side effects that these compounds bring. Natural products harness the goodness of nature, allowing it to rejuvenate your body. Natural deodorants offer less skin irritation and protection against diseases caused by mainstream deodorants.