So you want to make the switch to cleaner, less toxic deodorant, but don’t know where to start? I feel you, because I was in your shoes a few years ago! I’d always used anti-perspirant, loaded with chemicals and knew they were bad for me, but felt totally daunted by the prospect of switching. Would I smell? Would sweat stains show on my clothes? I’ve been on a journey of using clean deodorant for sometime now, so let me share with you what I’ve learned and how to switch to natural deodorant!
How to switch to natural deodorant
Set your expectations
Switching cold turkey from anti-perspirant to natural deodorant will not work right away. Deciding to make the switch is a marathon, not a sprint. So truly, set your expectations if you’re wanting to do this! It took me over a year to figure out what worked best for me and how to take care of my armpits at the same time.
Do your research, too. Did you know a lot of natural deodorants use baking soda in their ingredients? Sounds great, and it is great for some, but little did I know my body would not respond well to natural deodorants with baking soda. After weeks of struggling with terrible bumps and ingrown hairs in my armpits, I was about ready to throw in the towel and switch back to my regular anti-perspirant. I ended up doing one more last-ditch Google search and learned that baking soda often doesn’t work a number of natural deodorant users. Once I stopped using those baking soda formulas, my armpits returned to normal!
Detox your pits
As I previously said, making the switch is a marathon, not a sprint. To set your armpits up for optimal success when making the switch to natural deodorant, I definitely recommend you detox your pits first. I used this on my armpits, every time I showered. Anti-perspirant works great, but I bet you don’t know why it works so great… it creates a clog of sorts in the glands so that we won’t sweat. Definitely a bit unnatural when you think about it.
So using charcoal soap or even a will help to “un-clog” the pores in your underarms. You’ll notice, in the beginning that you might smell. Stick with it! Your sweat isn’t what’s actually smelly, it’s the bacteria that grows on sweat which causes the smell. So when you make the switch to aluminum-free deodorant, just know that you’ll be sweating out your clogged pores, along with aluminum that was clogging your pores, and you might smell for two weeks… but it’s worth it!
The brand that works for your friend, may not work for you
This fact led to my ultimate search for the best natural deodorants. A brand I had heard raving reviews over, didn’t work for me and caused serious irritation under my arms until I stopped using it. Truly, you will experience trial and error throughout this process. What brand may work for you, might not work for your bestie or sister. Check out this blog post where I outline my reviews on a few natural deodorants I’ve previously tried. Honestly, I’m still trying new brands as they continue to add to the aluminum-free deodorant market. Right now I really like and am using these two options: from the drugstore, and high-end online brand .
Other helpful tips
Switching up my natural deodorants has worked for me! I love using in the fall and winter, when it’s not as hot out. The coconut oil is nourishing, however I’ve noticed that it can leave marks on my clothes in the summer. During warmer months, I stick to the Dove 0% aluminum deodorant or Milk + Honey. I really like Corpus Naturals, although expensive. Even Rick uses it and likes the brand. I will say my only issue with the brand is their packaging, I find the deodorant difficult to use up as you near the end of the deodorant. I didn’t know which scent I would like best, so I ordered the Corpus Mini Trios kit.
Use an underarm toner. I know, sounds a little over the top, but the Everything Spray by Primally Pure has been an absolute game changer for me. I spray it under my arms after every shower. It’s alleviated any sort of bumps or ingrown hairs I used to experience simply from shaving or working out. It also helped revive my poor armpits after the suffered the major allergic reaction to the deodorant with baking soda. Truly a must-have product if you’re going to make the switch to all natural deodorant!
