Is conventional deodorant really bad for you?
Well… that depends on who you ask.
The long-running debate between natural deodorant and regular deodorant is easy to find on social media. If you’re not sure how you feel about it, a quick Google search will likely leave you with more questions than answers.
Some believe drugstore deodorant is completely safe to use and won’t affect your health at all. Others are working to sound the alarm about toxic chemicals, like aluminum, triclosan, parabens, and phthalates, hiding in our deodorant sticks.
Spoiler alert: The science backs it up — switching to natural deodorant is a good idea for your health. But actually making that switch is easier said than done. Here are some misconceptions about natural deodorant and tips for how to use it effectively, even in the summer months.
3 Common Misconceptions About Natural Deodorant
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You won’t be able to stop sweating
When you first ditch aluminum deodorant, you might feel like you’ll never stop sweating. Part of this is because you’re not used to the feeling of sweat, and part of it is because aluminum is used to stop sweat from happening. You need time for your pores to breathe, release, and detox (and you might sweat a little extra while this happens). The sweating will eventually become manageable. To hurry the process along, try hopping in a sauna a few times a week or do an armpit detox.
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Natural deodorant won’t make a difference for your health
When it comes to environmental toxins, it’s not usually one product that overwhelms your system — it’s the combination of all of them. For instance, women use an average of 12 body products daily, which exposes them to 168 (or more) potentially harmful chemicals. To add fuel to the fire, sweat is a natural detox pathway that our body uses to release these chemicals. When we block sweat from happening and apply harmful chemicals to the delicate underarms, we’re stopping the body from natural, healthy processes.
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You’ll get stuck in the detox phase
It’s true: the first two weeks after your switch to natural deodorant can be difficult. But hey, your body is finally ridding itself of all the icky toxins that have been building up. Trust the process. With a little time, you will start to notice your body return to balance. And, there are plenty of ways to curb the detox phase, so it’s not too bad.
4 Tips to Help You Switch to Aluminum-Free Deodorant
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Don’t wait for the right moment
Sure, you could wait for winter, or you could wait for your husband to join you. But you could also start now. Likely, you have a good reason for choosing natural deodorant, like sensitive skin or limiting chemical exposure. Let these reasons guide you. There are only two (maybe three) weeks of detox standing between you and natural deodorant confidence.
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Become comfortable with the armpit detox
You can use a mixture of bentonite clay, activated charcoal, and apple cider vinegar to create a detox mask for your armpits (or try our recipe). This should do some of the heavy lifting to remove toxins from your armpits and lymphatic system, so the detox phase will be easier to manage.
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Find a scent that excites you and buy an extra stick
Exciting scents do a lot for morale. Since we use essential oils for ours, they can support your health journey, too. We also recommend buying two sticks of natural deodorant, so you can keep one in your purse. If you’re ever worried that you smell a bit during the detox period, just re-apply your deodorant.
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Prioritize clean armpits
This might go without saying, but it’s so important to prioritize clean armpits and clear pores. An armpit detox should help with this, but consider using witch hazel or the Facial Tonic, too. The idea behind these products is to reduce unhealthy bacteria and give your natural deodorant the best canvas to work.
Your Resource for Natural Aluminum-Free Deodorant
Our five-star natural deodorant has helped hundreds of customers ditch the toxins and embrace whole, healthy, and natural living. We made this recipe for our own family, and it’s well-loved by hundreds of customers who successfully made the switch.
Explore Extra-Strength Natural Deodorant