Should You Switch to Natural Deodorant? (2024)

Everyone sweats. And where sweat collects, body odor follows — with armpits being one of the largest body odor offenders.

Smelly armpits and sweat stains can be embarrassing, but, fortunately, deodorant can help curb armpit odor. And, we depend on deodorant so much these days that forgetting to put it on in the morning can feel as icky as forgetting to brush your teeth.

Speaking of putting deodorant on your skin every single day — with that long list of unpronounceable chemicals in the ingredients list, should you consider swapping your old deodorant stick for a new, natural one?

How deodorant works

Let's start with the basics. One thing all deodorants have in common, whether they're natural or not, is why we use them and how they work.

While we often directly equate sweat with body odor, you may be surprised to learn that sweat itself is actually odorless. It turns out there's a stinky middle man among your armpits, the sweat produced there and the resulting body odor: bacteria.

Your armpits are a pretty warm and inviting home for some of the bacteria that naturally live on your skin. When sweat from your armpits is added into the mix, these bacteria get to work — metabolizing the sweat and, in the process, creating some less-than-pleasant smelling byproducts. But that's where deodorant comes in.

Deodorants use alcohol-based ingredients and antimicrobial agents to prevent bacteria from growing and accumulating, resulting in less of your odorless sweat being converted into waft after waft of body odor. They also often contain pleasant-smelling scents to help mask any odor that does still occur.

But, some deodorants in the grocery store aren't just deodorants — they're also antiperspirants.

Antiperspirants use aluminum-based ingredients to temporarily block your pores from releasing sweat, preventing bacteria from being able to feed on the source of those stinky byproducts altogether.

When antiperspirant ingredients are combined with deodorant ingredients, the result is an effective solution to reducing both armpit sweat and odor. In fact, the majority of us apply antiperspirant deodorant every morning.

In addition to these aluminum-based and alcohol-based ingredients, antiperspirant deodorants contain other additives, too, such as:

  • Preservatives
  • Fragrances, which are often synthetic
  • Other chemicals needed to give application sticks their shape and help the product stick your skin

What's the deal with natural deodorant?

There are many reasons a person may consider switching, but, ultimately, the underlying reason most people opt for a natural deodorant over a conventional one is because of the chemicals in the ingredient list.

So, when it comes to antiperspirant deodorants, are there ingredients you should avoid?

The reality is that many beauty and hygiene products are made using long lists of chemicals, and deodorant is no exception. The ingredients in your conventional antiperspirant deodorant are safe, but, understandably, you may need some reassurance.

One of the most controversial claims against antiperspirant deodorants is that the aluminum-based ingredients and parabens in them can be absorbed by the skin and lead to breast cancer. However, there's no scientific evidence that the aluminum, or any other ingredients, found in deodorants cause breast cancer.

Even still, just as some people prefer organic produce, others may want to opt for a deodorant using only natural ingredients. In addition, people with sensitive skin may find that the chemicals in conventional antiperspirant deodorants can cause itchy, irritated skin.

Natural deodorants ditch the aluminum-based and alcohol-based ingredients and instead leverage natural ingredients, such as:

  • Baking soda: Odor neutralizer that can also help absorb moisture
  • Arrowroot: Moisture absorber
  • Coconut oil and/or shea butter: Base ingredients that aid application and act as antimicrobials
  • Essential oils: Provide a pleasant scent, with some having added antimicrobial benefits

While natural deodorants can help reduce armpit odor, don't expect them to actually reduce sweat like an antiperspirant.

Natural deodorants typically contain ingredients that can help absorb moisture, but these ingredients aren't as effective as the products in antiperspirant that actually plug the pores creating the sweat.

But this isn't a bad thing! Sweat is natural. Plus, you may not sweat as much as you think.

So should you switch?

According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, conventional antiperspirant deodorants are safe — so there's no need to worry or switch to a natural deodorant on account of your overall health. However, personal preference or ingredient sensitivity may lead you to consider switching to a natural deodorant.

If you do switch, keep the following in mind:

  • A natural deodorant will help with armpit odor, but not sweat.
  • You may need to reapply natural deodorant after exercising, or throughout the day if you're a heavy sweater.
  • Monitor your skin for rashes or other irritations as you begin using a new deodorant. Some people may be sensitive to ingredients in natural deodorants, particularly baking soda.
  • When purchasing a natural deodorant, don't just rely on the label's claims. Check the ingredient list to be sure it contains only the products you're expecting — and not the ones you're trying to avoid.

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Should You Switch to Natural Deodorant? (2024)

FAQs

Is it worth switching to natural deodorant? ›

According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, conventional antiperspirant deodorants are safe — so there's no need to worry or switch to a natural deodorant on account of your overall health. However, personal preference or ingredient sensitivity may lead you to consider switching to a natural deodorant.

How long should you detox your armpits before switching to natural deodorant? ›

The length of a detox phase (as well as the amount of odor and sweat) varies from person to person, but most people say it takes them about a month to fully adjust.

Will I smell if I switch to natural deodorant? ›

Well, how long it takes for a natural deodorant to feel as though it is working differs from person to person. it can take up to 30-days for your body to learn to sweat naturally and regulate itself again. You should expect your armpits to smell a little pungent for the first couple of weeks.

Is natural deodorant actually healthier for you? ›

"Some of the enthusiasm for natural deodorants seems to be driven by fears and myths that have been repeatedly debunked,” says Nabeeha Siddiqui, MD, a Cedars-Sinai primary care physician in Culver City. "You won't find any solid scientific or medical evidence showing these deodorants are better for you.”

What happens to your body when you switch to natural deodorant? ›

When you switch from antiperspirant to natural deodorant, your body needs a little detox time. You might sweat a bit more at first, but don't worry! Keep going and soon your armpits will be clean and balanced. After a few weeks, the smell will go away and you won't have to think about the bad stuff in antiperspirants.

What to know when switching to native deodorant? ›

You may sweat more than you're used to.

When you start using a deodorant without anti-persperant (aluminum), you're going to start sweating more than you're used to. Your body will begin to regulate this as it adjusts to the change.

Do you sweat more when you switch to natural deodorant? ›

It's natural to sweat a lot more once you decide to make the switch to natural deodorant. In this period of time, your body is getting used to being aluminum-free. Just let your body do the work and relax. Sweating helps your body cool down and release toxins, so it's time to welcome the change.

Why did I stop using natural deodorant? ›

Skin Irritation: Ingredients in natural deodorants, particularly high levels of baking soda, can sometimes lead to skin irritation or discomfort, especially for those with sensitive skin or allergies to specific natural components.

Why are my armpits dark after switching to natural deodorant? ›

You've found a natural deodorant that works well, but suddenly your pits are noticeably darker. This darkness is caused by melanin—and melanin is created by your body to protect skin that has been damaged or is suffering from prolonged irritation.

Why do I still smell bad with natural deodorant? ›

This is perfectly normal, and could last as long as 30 days. Once your body acclimates to the absence of aluminum, you can use natural deodorant freely without worry. It's also not uncommon for women to have hyperhidrosis, a condition that causes you to perspire more than the average person.

How do you know when your armpits are detoxing? ›

A deodorant detox phase typically lasts anywhere from a week up to a month, and during that time period you may experience: Increased armpit sweating. Increased body odor. Rash-like bumps in your armpits.

Is aluminum-free deodorant better? ›

While there is no “direct link” between aluminum and cancer, according to the American Cancer Society, using an aluminum-free deodorant is better as you're not putting unnecessary chemicals in your body. Aluminum-free deodorants usually contain natural ingredients that are gentler on the skin.

What happens when you switch to aluminum free deodorant? ›

Your body odor is probably going to smell different, and potentially stronger, than what you're used to. That's because your body is simultaneously purging its sweat glands and recalibrating the balance of microscopic organisms that live on your skin. It's establishing a new normal.

How long does it take for native deodorant to work? ›

Native doesn't contain any aluminum, but uses baking soda as its to absorb wetness. Native gives new customers fair warning that it can take up to 14 days to get the maximum effectiveness out of Native when making the switch.

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