Swapping to a natural deodorant might sound simple, but the experience, and the transition is specific to your body, your routine and even the season.
The first few weeks can be a little unpleasant as your body gets used to the natural formula, and I’m going to share the benefits and drawbacks of switching to natural deodorants.
What Natural Deodorant Actually Does And Does Not Do
Natural deodorants control body odor by targeting the bacteria that makes your swear small. Many natural deodorant formulas use antibacterial plant extras, baking soda, or zinc to reduce the odor-causing microbes, to help you stay fresh without blocking sweat.
Natural deodorants are usually aluminum free deodorants, and do not stop you sweating like an antiperspirant does.
They work differently as they neutralize or mask odor smells, rather than plugging your pores. Some formulas use essential oils or natural fragrances for short-term scent cover, whereas other can change your skin flora over time, so your sweat smells less.
Natural deodorants do not work for everyone. They can be effective for many people, but sensitivity or skin reactions are possible, especially with ingredients like baking soda or essential oils.
You might need to try a few different brands and formulas to find the perfect product for your body and your needs.
Real Benefits People Notice Over Time When Switching To Natural Deodorants
With natural deodorants, you might notice you get less skin irritation after using antiperspirants that contain strong chemicals.
Natural ingredients like coconut oil, kaolin clay and witch hazel can all calm your skin and reduce redness from irritation. If you have sensitive skin, choose a baking soda free formula, or a formula with magnesium hydroxide, to help you avoid potential irritation.
Over weeks of use, your skin’s pH and microbio will rebalance. Natural deodorants rely on antibacterial ingredients like tea tree oil, zinc or magnesium hydroxide instead of blocking your sweat. This can lead to less odor for some people, once your body adjusts.
Many natural deodorant users notice their sweat patterns changing over time. Without using aluminum-based antiperspirants, you may sweat more at first, but many people find that they sweat less later. You can use arrowroot powder, tapioca starch or cornstarch to absorb moisture, and keep you feeling drier.
When making “the switch”, it’ll take around two to four weeks for your body to adjust the new natural deodorant formula.
The Drawbacks Of Making The Switch To Natural Deodorants
You might notice less wetness protection when you stop using your conventional deodorant that contains aluminum compounds or aluminum salts. Natural formulas won’t block your sweat glands, so you might feel wetter during exercise or in hotter weather.
As I mentioned above, some of the ingredients in natural deodorants can cause irritation, like baking soda or essential oils. Always do a patch test with any new beauty products, to see how your skin will react to the ingredients and formula.
Your natural body chemistry will affect how well natural deodorants work for you. What controls odor for one person might not work for another, so you might need to try a few different natural deodorant formulas, to see what works best for your body.
When you first make the switch, you’ll likely get a “detox phase” where you might smell stronger for a few days or weeks, as your armpit microbiome changes. It does usually improve, but it’s still frustrating whilst waiting for your body to get used to the new change.
If you’re a heavy sweater, natural deodorants might not be effective, as heavy sweating usually needs clinical antiperspirants or strong formulas to control wetness.
Sweat Vs Smell And Why They Are Not The Same
Your body sweats to try and cool your body down, and your sweat glands pump out mostly water and salts which are nearly odorless.
Your sweat smell comes from the bacteria on your skin. Odor-causing bacteria breaks down the sweat into small chemicals, which produces the “sweat smell”.
Natural deodorants often target the bacteria and add a scent to mask any potential odor, but they don’t usually prevent sweating as they lack the aluminum-based antiperspirant ingredients that block your sweat glands.
If you need to prevent sweating, look for antiperspirant products, as the aluminum compounds will plug sweat glands and reduce wetness. Whereas deodorants focus on the sweat smell rather than the amount of swear.