Do natural deodorants really work?

This is a question we hear all the time, usually followed by comments like ‘I tried but natural deodorants really don’t work for me’. The fact of life is that we all sweat and where sweat collects, body odour follows! Its actually not the sweat that smells though, its the bacteria that breeds in the sweat. Traditional deodorants and antiperspirants work in different ways. Deodorants are formulated to eliminate odour and contain agents like ethanol which help to kill the bacteria. Antiperspirants are formulated to reduce sweat by using ingredients like aluminium salts which block and plug up the sweat glands. Have you ever looked at the list of ingredients  on the back of a traditional can of antiperspirant? It is usually a long list of unpronounceable, unrecognisable names. The question of whether traditional antiperspirants are bad for you has not been proven.  According to the National Cancer Institute, antiperspirants are safe to use and no studies have confirmed a direct link between these products and cancer or other negative health effects. However if you can use something that is natural and not full of chemicals and works just as well, wouldn’t that be your preference?

 Armpit detox

In order to get the best results when switching to a natural deodorant, your armpits need to go through a detox. This might sound silly, but remember for years and years you have been purposefully clogging them up ! Over that time, sweat, dirt, oil and antiperspirants have built up in this area. Some feel it can also have altered the microbiome of the skin under the arms, leading to an overgrowth of specific forms of bacteria. Many people say that when they switch to a natural deodorant they feel like they sweat and smell more. It can take up to 30 days for your body to adjust to your new natural deodorant. When you stop using anti-perspirant you can experience a large increase in growth of odour-causing bacteria in your underarms. You may also feel additionally wet there because your body is sweating, which is the body’s natural way to flush out any toxins. By about week 3, bacteria levels will begin to reduce. The culture of bacteria is able to re-balance and stop over-producing odour-causing bacteria. What this means is that you will likely notice any odour issues starting to decrease. Underarm moisture levels will also normalise. It will take some time to get used to sweating under your arms, (powder in natural deodorant can help absorb that moisture) but wearing natural fibres such as cotton or linen linen will help.

Within a month, your armpits should have fully adjusted to you natural deodorant. It can take around a month for your body to regulate itself, though for some people the detox stage is much quicker. So it’s not that natural deodorants don’t work for you, remember your body just has to go though a bit of ‘cold turkey’ and readjust! It is so worth sticking with it and making the change, knowing you are making a healthier choice for your body.

For our full range of natural deodorants that really do work, click here