A guide to a smoother transition to an all-natural, eco-friendly deodorant

You’re not the kind of person who makes decisions on a whim. Instead, you’re someone who buys wisely and takes time to think things over, ensuring that the choice you’re making is the right one. So before you decide to buy, here’s everything you need to know about switching to a natural deodorant.

Deodorants vs. Antiperspirants

Though these terms are commonly used interchangeably, they aren’t the same as they serve different purposes. Antiperspirants, as the name suggests, are used to prevent or prevent perspiration a.k.a sweating. This is done by blocking your body’s eccrine glands - the glands that produce sweat.

On the other hand, deodorants are designed to mask odors. Antiperspirants are also classified as a drug while deodorants are classified as cosmetic. It’s common to find both deodorants and antiperspirants combined into one product which is actually a huge problem.

Your body is meant to sweat because not only is it your body’s natural way of keeping cool, it also rids your body of toxins. No sweat means no toxins exiting the body.

What is a Natural Deodorant & How Do They Work?

A natural deodorant is a deodorant that doesn’t use any kind of synthetic or man-made chemicals. Instead, they use a variety of natural ingredients, including baking soda, activated charcoal, and essential oils.

Baking soda is known to have antimicrobial benefits and for absorbing odors, making it an effective and natural ingredient. Activated charcoal is another great odor-absorbing ingredient found in natural deodorants as it works to draw out bacteria and other toxins and eliminates the odors caused by them. Essential oils not only have antibacterial properties, but they also moisturize and soften skin while adding a delightful fragrance that is far less likely to cause skin irritation than traditional deodorants.

What To Expect

The most common mistake people make when switching to a natural deodorant is the assumption that it can be used the same way as conventional deodorants. This ends up leaving people thinking that they aren’t effective.

We won’t sugar coat it - switching to a natural deodorant is a process.

So before using one, you’ll want to prepare for the detox phase that happens once you’ve stopped using your conventional deodorant. This can take anywhere between 2 to 4 weeks for your body to detox itself from the toxins that were previously blocked by the antiperspirant ingredients in your old deodorant.

There’s a possibility that you won’t have any issues during this detox phase, but there is a chance that you’ll experience extra sweating and body odor. This is normal and not a cause for concern.

Surviving The Detox Phase

Once the detox phase has started and you’re experiencing heavier sweating and body odor, there are a few ways to make it less troublesome.

First, you’ll want to ensure that you’re applying the natural deodorant properly. Depending on its consistency, you may need to hold the deodorant to your skin to soften it with your body’s heat before application.

You can also speed up the detoxing process with a pit scrub. A pit scrub helps to exfoliate the skin, ridding it of bacteria-infused dead skin cells. Our Pit Scrub by The Healing Place Apothecary also detoxifies and deodorizes the skin to help make the transition faster and easier.

Why They’re Better Than Conventional Deodorants

The main active ingredient in most conventional deodorants and antiperspirants is aluminum. This ingredient is used to reduce sweating and body odor, but it has also been linked to a number of health issues.

Studies show that high levels of exposure to aluminum can lead to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Aluminum has also been linked to other adverse health effects on the nervous system and an increased risk of developing breast cancer.

Natural deodorants don’t contain aluminum or other ingredients commonly found in conventional deodorants, including triclosan (an endocrine disruptor), parabens (endocrine disruptors), and synthetic fragrances that cause skin irritation.

Choosing the One for You

Now that we’ve covered all that, there’s still the matter of choosing the right natural deodorant for you. Here we provide a variety to choose from. Take your pick between a roll-on option like our HunnyBunny All-Natural Deodorant. If you’re looking for a more butter-like feel then check out our Fuk Butter by Oyin Handmade.

It’s common for natural deodorants to be made using baking soda because it’s proven to be effective against tackling odor - but it may not be the best option for everyone.

If you happen to have sensitive skin, your best bet would be to use a baking soda-free alternative like our Probiotic Deodorant and Activated Charcoal Deodorant.

Still can’t decide? We made sure to prepare for that!

To make sure that you find a natural deodorant you’ll love, we’ve put together a convenient All-Natural Deodorant Sample Box that not only includes our four awesome Black-owned deodorant brands, but also a Pit Scrub for fool-proof transitioning success!