Natural Deodorant that really works!

Are you looking to switch to a natural deodorant because it’s better for your health or the environment? Whatever the reason, more and more people are trying to make their bathroom and the care products they use more sustainable. Fortunately, there are also more and more brands that offer sustainable care products. For me, switching to a natural deodorant was one of the first adjustments I made when I switched to a zero-waste lifestyle. My interest in natural products and awareness of the ingredients used in our care products grew, and my amazement that we all apply this to our bodies every day also grew.

But what is so bad about 'regular' deodorant and what is the best alternative? Many types of regular deodorant contain unnecessary ingredients such as alcohol, perfume, sulphates and parabens that can be harmful. These substances ensure that you do not sweat, which is nice you would think, because that is exactly what you want. In this article we explain why this is not desirable and how natural deodorants work to hopefully make your choice easier.

Aluminum in deodorant - I'd rather not have it!

One of the most important ingredients in regular deodorant is often aluminum, an antiperspirant that clogs your pores and thus prevents sweating. We come into contact with aluminum every day, it is also in other cosmetic products, in packaging materials, cleaning agents and in our tap water. There are many stories that aluminum and parabens in deodorant increase the risk of breast cancer, but there is not yet sufficient scientific evidence for this. With normal use, a small amount of aluminum should not pose a risk to our health.

Because there is still a lot of uncertainty about the health risks, the presence of aluminum in deodorant is reason enough for us to switch to deodorant without aluminum. In addition, aluminum can cause skin irritation and itching, and is mainly used to prevent sweating, a natural process to regulate our body temperature. Many people assume that we will stink from sweat and therefore want to use an antiperspirant, but it is the bacteria that break down the sweat into acids that cause unpleasant odors.

Baking soda in deodorant – we're fans!

Advantages

Manufacturers of natural deodorants often choose to use baking soda instead of aluminum. Baking soda is a versatile mineral used as a natural cleaning agent or kitchen product, but it also works incredibly well in deodorant. So what exactly are the benefits of baking soda?

Baking soda has an antibacterial effect and helps neutralize odors. What actually happens is that the baking soda makes the skin more acidic, which helps fight bacteria.

Itching or irritation

Have you switched to a natural deodorant and are you experiencing itching or irritation? This is probably due to the baking soda in the deodorant. Clean your armpits with apple cider vinegar (diluted with a little water) to soothe the skin and (temporarily) opt for a natural deodorant without baking soda that is suitable for sensitive skin.

But isn’t baking soda the ingredient that is so effective against odors? That’s true, but fortunately there are also good alternatives such as diatomaceous earth (a natural substance made from the fossils of diatoms) where the pH value is slightly closer to the natural pH value of your body than deodorant with baking soda and therefore does not cause irritation.

Different types of natural deodorant

Nowadays there are so many brands that produce natural deodorant, but how do they work and which one is most suitable for you? To help you on your way, we compare the different types of deodorant in our range. I have personally tested them all.

To start with, all deodorants are:

• Vegan & cruelty-free
• Palm oil free
• Plastic free
• Made from natural ingredients
• Does not leave stains on your clothes

The Lekker Company

The natural and vegan deodorant from The Lekker Company counteracts bad odors, but does not clog pores. The Lekker Company only makes products with natural and organic ingredients, because they believe that your skin does not benefit from parabens, alcohol, perfume, aluminum and animal substances. They are transparent about all the ingredients they use and translate them into an understandable language so that you know exactly what you are putting on your skin.

The spreadable deodorant is packaged in a cardboard jar. You spread a little deodorant with your finger under your armpits and you smell nice all day long. Some people may find it a strange idea to touch their armpits, but in principle they are clean before applying the deodorant and it is also good to stay in contact with your body.

For sensitive skin

The Lekker Company also has deodorant for people with sensitive skin. This deodorant is made with diatomaceous earth, instead of baking soda. This ingredient contains many minerals such as calcium and iron and therefore has a calming effect on the skin. The combination of diatomaceous earth and zinc salt helps to neutralize odor and absorb moisture.

My experience with this deodorant

The Lekker Company deodorant is my personal favorite, because it simply works best for me. With this deodorant I don't have to worry about stinking, not even during sports or on a hot summer day. I use the deodorant with baking soda and like to alternate the different scents.

CompletelyShea

The deodorant blocks of CompletelyShea do not contain baking soda and are therefore very suitable for people with sensitive skin. Like the other natural deodorants, this deodorant does not suppress sweating, but counteracts bad odors.

The natural deodorant cubes are made from organic cocoa butter, organic coconut oil, zinc oxide, absorbent bentonite clay and matcha green tea powder, which is full of antioxidants.

You use the deodorant by smearing the block under your armpit just like a regular deodorant stick. The deodorant is packed in a cardboard box and has no cover.

My experience with this deodorant

This deodorant is wonderfully soft for the skin. It spreads easily and does its job well.The reason I don't use this myself is because I prefer a baking soda deodorant, but I definitely recommend this to anyone with sensitive skin!

Zero Waste Path

The creamy deodorant from Zero Waste Path is made with vegan and natural ingredients. We totally agree with Zero Waste Path that you don't need to create waste or use antiperspirants to combat bad odors. The antibacterial properties of this natural deodorant are just as effective.

Zero Waste Path's deodorant contains baking soda and is therefore less suitable for people with sensitive skin. Just like The Lekker Company deodorant, this is a spreadable deodorant that you spread under your armpits with your fingers. It is packaged in a reusable and recyclable tin.

My experience with this deodorant

This deodorant is available in two different scents and both smell wonderful. I find spreadable deodorant pleasant to use and it works well against bad odors. Definitely worth a try!

Biork

Biork is a natural and plastic-free deodorant stick made from potassium alum, the most common form of alum. Potassium alum is a natural mineral salt that works effectively against bad odors and is therefore very suitable as a deodorant. A big advantage is that the Biork deodorant lasts up to a year with average use, if not longer.

A Biork stick works basically like a regular roller stick that rubs under your armpits. You only need to wet the tip of the Biork stick beforehand. After application, the mineral salts dry quickly and form a protective layer on your skin that inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria.

Potassium alum also contains aluminum. Now you're probably thinking, didn't you just say that aluminum is so bad? That's right, but Biork's alum stone contains a different type of aluminum, called potassium alum. The molecules of the natural mineral are too large to be absorbed by the skin. Antiperspirants use other types of aluminum, such as aluminum chloride or aluminum chlorohydrate, which ensure that you stop sweating and can be absorbed by your body. If you prefer to choose a deodorant that does not contain any aluminum at all, you should better choose another one!

This crystal stick is packed in a cork sleeve, a no waste material that is obtained from the bark of the cork oak. Cork is a renewable resource and the great thing is that cork trees store up to 30 percent more CO2 than other trees!

My experience with this deodorant

I prefer to use the Biork stick during the winter, because I feel it is slightly less powerful than the one from The Lekker Company. However, my experience is that the longer I use the stick, the more effective it works. When I go on holiday I always take the stick with me, because for those who don't know, alum also works well against itchy mosquito bites!

DIY deodorant

If you are feeling creative and adventurous you can also choose to make your own deodorant. I have not tried it myself, but there are many simple recipes online that you can try!

Choose a deodorant that actually works…

All this talk about deodorant is interesting, nice and all, but personal care products just have to work well! As an active person, I want to be able to rely on my deodorant.I absolutely do not want to stink, and I am sure I am not the only one! Before I started using natural deodorant, I was already very critical about which deodorant I wanted to use. In my opinion, many deodorants did not work well, which made it extra exciting to throw my trusted deodorant brand aside. But even I have found a natural deodorant that suits me perfectly!

My advice is to go on a quest and try out different natural deodorants until you find one that you are completely satisfied with. There is plenty of choice! Pay close attention to the ingredients in it, for example whether or not there is baking soda. Do you like that or not? One deodorant contains more baking soda than another, which means that it can be effective with one deodorant and cause skin irritation with another. So experiment and I hope this blog will make your choice a little easier! Smell ya later, oh no, not at all ;).