Are You Curious About Non-toxic Deodorants but Scared You Will Smell if You Switch?
You may have heard that using natural deodorants is a healthier option than using standard drugstore deodorant, but you also may have heard you will sweat too much or even smell? This post will clear up some common worries about switching and why you should consider it. I will also share some of my favorite non-toxic deodorants that work!
What Is So Bad About Regular Deodorant?
First off, there is nothing wrong with you if you decide to use the regular drugstore deodorant OR if you choose to not use any at all. If you read this entire post and decide you still want to stick with your current deodorant, I support the decision that you choose for yourself. There are many ingredients in drugstore deodorants that are suspect. Although the studies on deodorant and the connection to things like breast cancer or Alzheimer’s are inconclusive, there aren’t enough studies actually being done on them. Since deodorant is one of the closest products to your breast and near essential lymph nodes, I feel it is worth looking into options that contain safer alternatives. Especially since there are so many good options.
What Makes the Sweat Stop?
Most drugstore deodorants/antiperspirants have ingredients that prevent you from sweating. Aluminum, the active ingredient in antiperspirants, stops you from sweating by creating a temporary barrier or plug. This is one of the main reasons people use deodorant. However, why do we want to stop ourselves from sweating? I know that sweat stains and excessive sweating can be uncomfortable, but it is worth considering that sweating is natural; it is how the body is designed.
Fragrance and Parabans
In high school, I used baby powder-scented deodorant. I would smell it when it would start working. This would usually be when I was anxious (OFTEN) or something embarrassing happened in school. (FREQUENT) So I was always shrouded in a cloud of fresh baby powder. To keep that baby powder scent pumping, they use synthetic fragrances. These fragrances are potentially hundreds of chemicals, all under the name “Fragrance.” Standard drugstore deodorant and many self-care products contain Parabens. Again, too few studies have been done on Parabens, but it has been flagged as a potential hormone disruptor. If you would like a more exhaustive list of potentially shady ingredients, check out this post on chemicals and additives in beauty products by Credo, a company committed to clean beauty. You can also go to the Environmental Working Group’s database to check your personal care products.
Great Natural Deodorant Choices
The good news is that there are so many great non-toxic deodorants on the market. This wasn’t always the case. When I first used deodorant, you couldn’t even find a natural deodorant unless you went to a natural product store. Now, there are countless natural deodorant brands, some even at the grocery store or drugstore. Companies have figured out the secret sauce of absorbency and natural fragrance. Many of them even have the added benefits of being great for sensitive skin. Some are cruelty-free and vegan. I have a favorite; however, the following all worked well for me and are worth trying.
The Best Non-Toxic Deodorant
My absolute favorite of the non-toxic deodorants is Corpus. It really checks all the boxes for me. The consistency is smooth and glides on easily, and I find it very absorbent. The scent is naturally derived and light. It is cruelty-free, paraben-free, and aluminum-free, making it a SuperHero of natural deodorant. For anyone looking for vegan deodorant, this one’s for you. The price is slightly higher than other deodorants; however, they last a long time. The fragrances are not gender-specific. My husband, who is more strict with the products than I am, uses this deodorant. My favorite scent is The Botanist, but I also ordered the sample sizes, and all of the scents are light, botanical, and appealing.
The Pros and Cons of Non-toxic Deodorants
To recap, here are the pros and cons of making the switch to Non-toxic Deodorant.
Pros:
- Fewer potentially harmful ingredients are used daily
- Lets your body act naturally by sweating
- Cruelty-free and vegan deodorants are available
- You will still smell good, and some are pretty absorbent
Cons:
- There is a transition period
- You may sweat more
- You may have to apply more times during the day
- Tend to be more expensive than drugstore deodorant
You Do You
It has to be a personal choice when deciding on products you use EVERY day, like deodorant. My philosophy on clean and natural beauty products is to pick my spots. I do not always use clean and natural products, but I try to change them when possible. When you shift an everyday product, you can make a huge difference in daily exposure to potentially harmful ingredients. If you are worried about switching to one of the non-toxic deodorants because you are afraid you may sweat too much or smell, don’t go all or nothing. There is nothing wrong with a transition period. Try using the natural deodorant when you are home and not going anywhere. You don’t want to try a new deodorant on a big day like when you have a big presentation at work or your wedding day!
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