My Favorite Natural Deodorant. And why switching to a natural deodorant is a game changer.
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In recent years, the importance of using a natural deodorant has been a lot more prevalent. More so than 15 years ago, when it wasn’t common for someone to be using a natural deodorant, let alone see one on the store shelf! It just wasn’t talked about. I think it’s been promising to see the significant shift towards more natural, healthy products in our everyday lives - from the foods we eat to the personal care products we apply to our skin… and this includes deodorant!
Deodorant is a product every single person probably applies to their underarms - a very intimate part of their body - as least one time a day.
Deodorant vs Antiperspirant
First - let’s break down the difference between a deodorant and an antiperspirant.
Deodorant is designed to control odor and still allows your body to sweat naturally, which is a critical bodily function to detox and regulate your temperature. It’s healthy to sweat! Deodorant is a great option for those who want to avoid harmful chemicals!
Antiperspirant is designed to reduce sweating itself and uses aluminum compounds to prevent sweat from reaching the skin’s surface. These will keep you dry, but also prevent your body from naturally detoxifying when it sweats, trapping the bacteria in your underarms.
The serious health concerns around the aluminum in antiperspirants have led many to prefer natural deodorants over antiperspirants. And why I have made the switch. Studies suggest a possible link between aluminum and health issues such as breast cancer. 1 in 20 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. And less than 10% is genetically linked. Environmental factors, including environmental toxins we apply to our bodies, plays a role. Every small change in our daily lives adds up.
Now, there is sometimes a misconception that natural deodorant doesn’t work. But I don’t think that is true!! Especially with so many clean options on the market now. That myth is a thing of the past. The cleaner options keep getting better and better. Sometimes it’s just about finding the right one for you!!
My top two favorite clean deodorant brands
If you are looking for a great deodorant to try, I have two of my top favorites. These are the two I personally use after years of trying different brands (and finding out I am sensitive to a lot of them)…
When I first tested several brands in 2018 when I was making the switch, I tried the brand Primally Pure and quickly fell in love. It’s been my OG favorite clean deo and one of my top recommendations when I talk to someone about using a natural deodorant. It smells nice, applies smoothly and works really well. My favorite scent is the Blue Tansy. But the Charcoal and Geranium are close behind. You really cannot go wrong with any of them!
In recent years, another brand I’ve grown to love as much as Primally Pure is The Yellow Bird. I really love the mission of the brand, and the performance and price point. And because I stand behind this brand so much, they gave me a code URBANAPRON to save you 20%!
I will go back and forth with using Yellow Bird or Primally Pure. I don’t have a favorite - I love them both!
Reasons to switch to a natural deodorant
If you are thinking about making the switch to a natural deodorant but haven’t yet. I want to list out the reasons why everyone needs to make the switch today. And why switching to a natural deodorant is a game changer!!!
You will avoid harmful chemicals. This is the major reason I switched! Conventional deodorants and anti-perspirants at the store often contain a cocktail of chemicals that will prevent your body from sweating and mask any odor. Chemicals such as aluminum compounds (used in anti-perspirants to block sweat glands and linked to breast cancer), parabens (mimic estrogen and has been detected in breast cancer tissue) and phthalates (help fragrance last longer and can disrupt our endocrine function). Switching to a natural deodorant reduces your exposes to all of those chemicals, and that is enough reason for me to switch! Especially since you apply your deodorant every single day for pretty much your entire lifetime.
Gentle on your skin. Most conventional deodorants use ingredients that irritate skin, oftentimes causing it to be red or itch. Natural deodorants use more soothing ingredients, and this also helps maintain healthier skin!
It’s a more eco-friendly choice. Most natural deodorant brands also prioritize sustainability in their product formulations and packaging. Oftentimes they use packaging that can be recycled or is compostable. Opting for natural brands that also are more sustainable helps our earth, as well as your health. You can usually find a brand’s mission and sustainability goals on their website. Being a B Corporation is also a great sign!
Supporting Transparent Brands. Every time we shop for a product, we are voting with our wallet and telling the market what we want. In the United States (one the worst safety standards in the world), the personal care industry is full of secrets and there are products on the store shelf that are harmful to our health, but most Americans have no idea. When you purchase from a brand that prioritizes your health, you are also making a choice that may align with your own values. It feels really good to support brands who care about us!!
My TIPS IN MAKING THE SWITCH
When you switch to a natural deodorant, my biggest tip is to give it time!! It can take 7-14 days for your body to detox and get used to it. In this detox period, you may experience more sweating or odor - that is your body detoxifying!!! Also drink plenty of water to help flush out the toxins from your body as it detoxes. You can also reapply the natural deodorants as needed throughout the day. Sometimes I find I need to apply it again in the afternoon. Especially at the beginning when you are just starting out on using a natural deodorant.
Trust me, after you get past the detox period, you will be so happy you stuck it out and you can feel better each day knowing you are not applying harmful chemicals to your body. It’s a great healthy swap!!!
And share with others! If you try Primally Pure or Yellow Bird, or find another brand you love, tell others about it! Switching to safe products takes a village and the more we share and the more we all know about these issues, the healthier we all are! Keep spreading the word! It can truly be a game changer for your skin and your health.
And if you switch, reach out and let me know how it goes! You can connect on Instagram here.
xx,
Anna