My 4 Favorite Natural Deodorants
Here we are, saying goodbye to summer! Here in Michigan, this summer was full of: 80+ degree days and lots of humidity! So let’s be honest, sweating and body odor were real.
Along my health journey, I decided to ditch traditional, aluminum filled antiperspirant. Having sensitive skin, I found that while I was eating cleaner, my eczema reactions were also changing. I started to notice a direct link between my eczema flaring and eating dairy products. Many with eczema know that those dry patches are often found on areas where there is friction of the body, and one of my areas is under my arms. When this started to flare, during my diet changes, I knew I could not postpone detoxing my armpits.
For a while I had heard about the dangerous chemicals that are used in deodorants but for whatever reason, I never really took that seriously and continued smelling like “clean linen” and “cucumber melon”. Then I started doing some research. Let’s be honest, chemicals are toxic for you. Yes, deodorant too. Basically, antiperspirants/deodorants are effective at stopping your sweat by clogging your skin’s pores with toxic chemicals. Medically, our bodies need to sweat to help regulate your body temperature- so the concept of an antiperspirant is truly illogical. I had been buying my Dove deodorant in bulk from Costco like a dweeb-until I wised up.
As with most things, I dropped my old deodorants cold turkey and starting testing out natural alternatives. Please note that my skin is sensitive to baking soda, making me unable to apply many natural brands. If you have sensitive skin, please be extra careful to read the ingredients before you apply anything to your skin! When I first decided to make this switch, there was a time of void when I chose not to use any products, for about a week or so. I wanted to be sure that my skin was prepared to switch products. I needed to be sure that I would be able to isolate anything that might be an irritant. There are detoxes you can use, which detox harmful chemicals that are lingering in your skin and pores. Whatever you’re preferred method might be, I recommend that you allow your body time to detox before switching to new products. Below I share 4 natural methods of deodorant: 2 you can make yourself while the other 2 are products I purchase. I hope you find this helpful, comment below your favorite natural deodorants!
Method 1:
The first natural deodorant that I tried was the Thai crystal. To be honest, my mom found this for me (she’s the best). I had no idea what to look for in a natural option but with mom’s recommendation I was optimistic. I opted for the roll-on version but there are also sprays and stones available. I like this options because the liquid is rolled onto the skin, absorbs pretty quickly and is fragrance free! I started my trial of this during the fall, so I was active but not necessarily sweaty. I like that the liquid isn’t thick or runny when you put it on. I also like that this product is not scented. When I was first making the switch, I looked for products with the least ingredients possible. This product is made with less than 5 ingredients including salt crystals and water. All in all, the thai crystal is still in my deodorant rotation, as it doesn’t irritate my skin and leaves me odor free. I’m not a sponsor but here’s a link if you’re interested in this option. Feel free to explore other salt deodorant options, just be sure to read the ingredients first! Less is more here.
Method 2:
When it started to warm up, I realized I needed an alternative that was a tad stronger, I did some research into using essential oils. Oils were already part of my practice so I was open to add another use to them. I started looking into anti-bacterial oils because sweat buildup can get gross…i.e. bacteria buildup causes B.O. Some antibacterial essential oils include grapefruit, orange, peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus, lemon, lemongrass, clove and tea tree. For this method you can apply the oil directly to your skin. I would only recommend this is the oil is high quality, your skin is not broken/irritated and you have done a skin test prior. Otherwise, mix your essential oil with a few drops of a carrier oil then apply. I would not recommend using a cotton swap for application, because it will just absorb all of the essential oil. Feel free to add other essential oils as well, to create a scent you like, but you definitely want your deodorant to have antibacterial properties. My go to essential oils include peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus, patchouli, basil and lemon. As with anytime you use peppermint oil, remember it will tingle so beware. If your skin is sensitive, be sure to mix the essential oil with a carrier oil! I prefer jojoba, apricot or grapeseed oil as my carrier. I find that coconut oil does not do so well on this part of my body, but try for yourself. In my experience, I like using this oil method for normal days of activity.
When I need something a little stronger for the summertime, I mainly use these next 2 methods of natural deodorants.
Method 3:
This next natural deodorant can be found in your kitchen! For years, I heard stories from my older sister about using lemon juice as deodorant and eventually decided to try it about 2 years ago. I keep a bottle of lemon juice in my fridge, so why not. To apply the juice to your pits, my sister told me to put some lemon juice on a cotton swab and rub it on my pits. After you rub it on, give it a few second to dry. Seemed pretty simple but I was skeptical to try it at first. I couldn’t see how lemon juice was going to keep me from having BO. But to my surprise the lemon juice really worked! Then, I went out and bought a few lemons, sliced them and stored them in the freezer. After a few days I realized this method was legit. I find that using a lemon/lime slice lasts longer than the juice but both methods work great. I thought the slices would be weird to me, but the pulp does not bother me and can easily be wiped off. My only tip, would be to not use this method if the skin under your arms is broken, ie if you just shaved, have a rash or cut. Applying acidic juice on open skin is asking for irritation and pain so use at your discretion.
Method 4:
Lastly, this summer I introduced a new product into my rotation! This was a big deal for me because in my experience, when searching for a man-made/store-brought deodorant, I have to read the ingredients thoroughly and find that most irritate my skin. When I was first recommended this brand, I was turned off by the ingredients of the original formula. Once again finding a product full of harsh powders that would just irritate and dry out my skin. However, during some exploration during a trip to Whole Foods, I found that the company had another recipe that looked more promising. I tried it and it was a success! The Charcoal Primal Pits deodorant has become a staple in my summer deodorant rotation. I like that it is a stick, so I can feel that it leaves a barrier on my skin that lasts all day. I would say that this product does significantly cut down on my sweating but does not completely stop it. Compared to other natural options, this would be my recommendation if you’re looking for “sweat protection”. Having charcoal was also a bonus for me, I use charcoal in other daily hygiene products so I knew it would work well for me. The scent I have is a citrus lavender kind of blend, but they also have unscented. Again…sadly I am not being paid but here is a link if you’re interested in this option.
As a tip…
I want to remind you to moisturize your armpits. Honestly, when was the last time you put lotion on your underarms? So yeah, put some body butter or a carrier oil on your pits beloved, whatever you use to moisturize. I learned that a lot of my skin irritation in that area was simply due to my skin being over dry and under moisturized. I think subconsciously the act of applying deodorant felt like I was doing enough, but I was not. I would recommend applying an oil at night, to offset applying deodorant during the day. I use jojaba, grapeseed or apricot oils, but whatever you prefer should be fine. If you sweat at night, add a few drops off essential oil with the carrier oil, for some a night deodorant.