Making the Switch to Natural Deodorant

Facebook reminded me last week I’ve been doing this “clean/green living” thing for nearly a decade. Wow! It started with switching up my diet, but expanded to switching out my health and beauty products, too. It’s become my lifestyle, and I continue to dive deeper into it because I’m aiming for zero harmful chemicals in my life. 

Since I started my journey there’s been much growth in the green/clean movement. One industry that has made great strides is deodorant. From the grocery store to big-box stores you find several brands of natural deodorants on shelves. If you’re ready to make the switch to natural, stink-free pits, read on to learn what to expect and look for in a product.

Why Natural Deodorant? 
Deodorants have gotten a bad wrap. From research on aluminum to parabens to fragrance. No matter what you believe, when I find a product that works with minimal, natural ingredients, I use it. It’s my preference.  

I agree that not all chemicals are bad, and not all natural ingredients are good. So don’t come at me with your arguments. If you don’t want to read about natural deodorant- scroll on by.

Detox Time
If you’re making the switch to a natural deodorant be prepared for a “detox period.” It involves more sweat and with more frequency. I’d avoid wearing that nice silk blouse or “waving your hands in the air like you just don’t care” for a week or so. Embrace the stink. I promise it’ll stop before you become a social pariah.   

My detox period lasted about a week, but it could be longer based upon your body chemistry and especially if you were using an antiperspirant. 

Read Your Labels
Just because a deodorant is labeled “all-natural” or “clean” doesn’t mean it is. Read the label and know your ingredients. I made my own deodorant for years, so I know the basic formula that worked for me: coconut oil, baking soda, arrowroot powder, and essential oils. I like beeswax, too, because it keeps the deodorant from melting in warm temperatures. I could never successfully add beeswax to my deodorant without ruining it.
I’d suggest shying away form products with clay. It always stained my clothes. 

Are You Sensitive?
I stopped making my own deodorant because I was having a reaction to it. I thought it was a bad batch of arrowroot powder, but turns out it was the baking soda. Even with a minuscule amount added to a homemade batch, I broke out in a rash in my pits. 

Turns out baking soda is a common culprit for those who use natural deodorant. There’s several varieties that offer a soda-free version. But we wary, because baking soda is what helps keep the funk at bay. Read the label to determine what they’re using in place of it. 

Trial and Error
Just as it took time and experience to learn how to rescue the princess from the castle in Super Mario Bros., the same is true with finding a product that works for you. Don’t give up after trying one product. 

After I switched to store-brought deodorants, I struggled to find one that met my pits needs. I tried several from the grocery store and a few from local stores. I found the locally-made, small-batch products worked best for me. Added bonus was the small batch products were in glass containers. Yay for no plastic and reusable jars. 

If you’re ready to make the switch to natural deodorant, I promise, it’s easier than you think. It really works and there’s several options available on the market. Look for simple ingredients and trust the process. Welcome to a natural, stink-free life for your pits. 

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