We’ve all had those days when we throw on layer after layer of deodorant without even batting an eye because we are really sweating it out. But have you ever stopped to think what is actually in those magic little sticks? Going on the 21-Day Clean Program helps us find the best and most nutritious whole foods for our bodies, but also helps us realize that what we put on our bodies matters as well.
Sniffing It Out: Why We Should Switch to Natural Deodorant
These days conventional deodorant is jam-packed with harmful chemicals and additives, such as parabens, which are commonly found in most conventional beauty and skincare products, and aluminum, which actually clogs your sweat glands and stops us from sweating. At the same time, it is also being absorbed into our skin. Both of these additives can disrupt our hormone balance and have been linked to the growth and formation of abnormal cells in the body.
When we use deodorant with an antiperspirant, we are blocking those toxins from being released out of our bodies, which is not good for our overall health. Once we start using less conventional deodorant without all the additives and chemicals, we will sweat a lot more at first since we are no longer clogging our sweat glands. But, once our bodies get used to sweating again, it will naturally balance out and will produce a manageable and healthy amount of sweat.
This process is true when switching over to something healthier in almost all areas of our lives. When taking part in the 21-day program, we also experience a detox period, that leaves us feeling a bit groggy because we are flushing bad stuff out of our bodies. Once that is gone, we are left feeling better than before. The same is true with deodorant. Another reason to change our diet – we tend to smell better when we eat better!
Smell Test: The Different Types of Natural Deodorant
Natural deodorant can be a tricky swap at first since there is a grace period, which can be a bit rough. We will definitely experience smelly armpits and more sweat than we are used to when we are first switching over to a more natural brand of deodorant; don’t worry it doesn’t last too long. It also takes a while to find the right formula that works best with our individual body and skin types, but once you have found the right one for you, give it a month or two for your body to adjust and you will be so glad that you did!
There are so many brands out there now that are creating natural deodorants in both cream and solid form, which is great for us because that means there are more options for us to try and hopefully find a brand that we love. Be sure to test out each deodorant for several months for your skin to get used to it, and be on the lookout for itchy red bumps or irritation. This can sometimes occur if you are sensitive to baking soda, which is a natural way to help stop sweat.
Some our top picks
Meow Meow Tweet: This one is great because it now comes in both solid and cream form so we can choose which option we like best. It also has a baking soda free option, for those of us with sensitive skin, in a grapefruit scent, which is wonderful.
Primal Pit Paste: They have deodorants ranging from cream to stick and multiple scents that are baking soda free, giving us sensitive skin friends, a wider selection to choose from.
Soapwalla: This is a gentler natural deodorant. We would recommend that you start out with another deodorant first before transitioning to this one if you are concerned of smelling or sweating too much. However, after using it for several months, it is a great option.
Schmidts: This one is a great option, and works really well. However, there is quite a bit of baking soda in this brand, so if you have sensitive skin you might want to steer clear. If not, this is a great first deodorant to transition to because the high concentrate of baking soda helps stop sweat naturally.
Lavanilla: This is the most “conventional” of the natural deodorants on this list, but it is a great first buy when you are transitioning over. It has a variety of scents and feels the most like conventional deodorant overall. It also is the most easily accessible, seeing as you can buy it at Sephora and most health and whole food stores.
Whichever deodorant we end up choosing, remember to give it some time and don’t give up right away, it may take a little bit for your body to adjust. Once we finally find the perfect natural deodorant for us, we will be smelling and feeling good, knowing we are making the healthier choice.
Written by Emily Green
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