Hiya Gorgeous,
Let’s talk B.O.!
Do natural deodorants really work? Why should we use them? Which ones are best?
As per usual, there’s more here than meets the nose! In this video and blog, I’m giving you the down and stinky scoop on deodorants and antiperspirants. Like many of you, I’ve been on the hunt for natural products that work for years, and now I’m gettin’ down and dirty to find the best natural deodorant. I finally tested over a dozen products and included the results in this (hilarious) video and awesome infographic below.
Pssst! Make sure you watch the entire video. You don’t want to miss my surprise guest—A GRIZZLY BEAR!
Your skin is your body’s largest organ and it’s really good at absorbing what you put on it.
Think about it like this: when smokers want to quit, they slap on a patch that delivers nicotine right to their bloodstream via their skin, same deal with the birth control patch. There are even vitamin B12 patches! With your spongy epidermis in mind, it’s important we do our best to reduce our chemical exposure. Which includes what we put on our pits. I can’t wait to discuss this all with you. Let’s dive in!
To clear up our stinkin’ thinkin’ about, well, stinkin’, here are a few starting points about deodorants, antiperspirants and good ole sweat:
- Why do we sweat? Sweating is our body’s cooling mechanism. We sweat when it’s hot out, when we’ve been exercising, when we have a fever or when we’re anxious and stressed.
- Why does it smell bad? Actually, sweat itself doesn’t smell. That signature sweaty odor comes from the meeting of the bacteria living on our skin with the sweat escaping from our sweat glands.
- What are antiperspirants? Some people try to prevent body odor by using an antiperspirant to stop their bodies from sweating (yikes!). Unfortunately, it’s unlikely that you’ll ever find a truly non-toxic anti-perspirant because of the harsh ingredients necessary to prevent sweating—more on this in a moment.
- What are deodorants? Unlike an antiperspirant, a deodorant works on top of the skin, killing off the bacteria with an antiseptic ingredient, then covering any leftover odors with a scent. As with all personal products, it’s important to be an informed consumer to select a safe natural deodorant. The good news is that it’s possible!
Conventional Deodorants & Antiperspirants
What should you be looking for when you check the ingredients on your next stick? Here are a few of the potentially harmful things found in regular deodorants and antiperspirants. These are the guys you want to avoid. Take note: Some of these ingredients will be spelled out right on the label, and some won’t be, so you might have to sleuth a little further.
Talc
What does it do? Absorbent and colorant.
Why should you avoid it? It is considered a carcinogen if it contains asbesiform fibers. But there’s no way to know if the talc in your product contains asbestos. So stay away—better safe than sorry.
Triclosan
What does it do? Kills bacteria.
Why should you avoid it? Triclosan disrupts the endocrine and immune systems, can cause allergic reactions and can also build up in your tissues.
BHT
What does it do? Acts as a preservative.
Why should you avoid it? BHT can cause allergic reactions and has also been linked to cancer.
Propylene glycol
What does it do? Keep things from drying out. Propylene glycol is used in cars as an anti-freeze and in airplanes as a de-icer.
Why should you avoid it? It can irritate your skin (and gosh knows what else).
Parabens
What do they do? Used as a preservative, containing antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Why should you avoid them? Many parabens mimic estrogen in the body, and have been found inside breast cancer tumors. The widespread use of parabens in personal care products makes their potential link to cancer especially concerning. Most experts call for more research.
Fragrance
What does it do? This one is pretty straight forward: the synthetic chemicals listed as “fragrance” are included in products to mask body odor.
Why should you avoid it? There are an alarming number of chemicals (over 3100!) that fall into the fragrance category. According to the Environmental Working Group: “The average fragrance product tested contained 14 secret chemicals not listed on the label. Among them are chemicals associated with hormone disruption and allergic reactions, and many substances that have not been assessed for safety in personal care products.”
Phthalates
What do they do? These chemicals are called plasticizers—they make products more spreadable.
Why should you avoid them? Phthalates have been found to be endocrine disruptors (chemicals that can affect your hormones).
Aluminum Chlorohydrate
What does it do? Aluminum chlorohydrate is a salt that prevents wetness, which makes it a very popular ingredient in antiperspirants.
Why should you avoid it? The continued use of aluminum chlorohydrate adds to the number of chemicals your body must eliminate and to your overall body burden (see more below).
How do these chemicals impact your health?
As our friend Heather White, the Executive Director of Environmental Working Group, put it so clearly during our Chat & Chew, we just don’t know what the long term effects of the buildup of these chemicals are, and the things we do know are pretty alarming. When EWG studied body burden, (the amount of chemicals stored in our bodies), they found the average person has nearly 300 different chemicals in their system, including PCBs and DDT, which were banned over 30 YEARS AGO in the US.
Natural Deodorant
But there’s good news! Lucky for us, there are natural ingredients that can be used in place of the chemicals. Remember that we all have different body chemistry. That’s why your best friend might swear by a certain brand, but that same formula might leave you wanting (and wafting). What works magic for me may or may not work for you.
Disclaimer: Read your labels tootsies! When you test your own deodorants, keep in mind that not all natural deodorants are created equal. And just because a product says “natural” on the package doesn’t mean it’s all good in the hood. If you can find products that are certified organic (not always possible), that may be the best way to go, since the labeling has a more stringent standard than “natural.”
My Natural Deodorant Rankings
I hope you enjoy my video (watch above!) and rankings chart, which cover a slew of sticks (and rocks, and sprays, and creams—whew!). The natural deodorants I tested are all free of the harsh toxic chemicals and are cruelty-free. I ranked the deodorants a few ways: How well they worked for me, how enjoyable they were to use (sticky? chalky? silky?), and how they rated at EWG’s Skin Deep database. Though I tested over 15 products, I only included the top 9 because many of the others ranked too high at skindeep (over a 3 rating). Download my Natural Deodorant Rankings chart below!
Have I mentioned that there’s a bear in today’s video? Don’t miss it!
Your turn: Have you found a natural deodorant that works? Share your successes (and failures) in the comments below!
Peace & healthy pits,
I have tried natural deodorants (Life Stinks & Primal Pit Paste) and get a horrible rash from them. I don’t get it. The only thing I can use is Watkins brand, which I know is not totally natural but the closest I can get with out getting these wounds in my pits.
Does anybody know why this happens with natural ingredients like baking soda and essential oils? I have heard that your pits detox but jeeez I keep using the stuff and I get open wounds how do you get past that?
Hi Nicole- baking soda has a high alkalinity, which can cause a rash from “constant contact” … simply use a warm damp cloth after use to reduce “constant contact” …it will go away. This is why at Ava Anderson we use 5 organic botanical butters and oils chosen to neutralize this issue. 🙂
I know this sounds crazy, but after trying several natural deodorants, my husband & I have found something that REALLY works: Milk of Magnesia. Best of all–it’s cheap! Don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it!
Primal Pit Paste! It is even better than commercial deodorants/antiperspirants and everything on the ingredient list is natural. Best part for me is it doesn’t leave your underarms sticky like Crystal or other natural brands fo.
Most of my life, I haven’t used any because I just didn’t need it. Perimenepause changed that, coupled with using methotrexate. Cleaned up my diet, got off the meds,, and my hormones once again were good and don’t need it again. But while I needed it, the homemade deodorant from Frugally Sustainable on Etsy was great. I really liked the probiotic one!
Hey Kris! I used Crystal deodorant forever until I noticed a suspicious ingredient on the label–potassium alum. I did some investigating and found that it is indeed aluminum. Not sure if the type you reference has the same ingredient (I used the pomegranate) but wanted to let you know.
Here is a link to an article on Dr. Mercola’s website about this ingredient:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/02/16/aluminum-lurks-in-crystal-deodorants.aspx
Thank you for all you do : )
Thank you for sharing this Jen – lost think crystal deodorants are safe, but they need to look into the ALUM.
You are so welcome! I hate those sneaky ingredients that go unnoticed : )
toms is the first that i tried and it was sticky and did not work. i’m so glad to hear there is hope for natural deodorants.
i switched to a homemade deodorant cream so i know how awesome creams are. it irritates my under arms and i’m not sure why. it’s made from coconut oil, arrow root and baking soda. i can’t remember if there is any essential oils in it… anywho. thanks for your diligence!
Crissy, I developed a rash when using baking soda and essential oil for deodorant. I switched to coconut oil and e.oils and the rash went away. I might try adding a little baking soda and see if my skin can handle it with the coconut oil.
Hi Kris – I work with a gal who uses coconut oil as a natural deodorant! That’s right, she keeps a container in her bathroom dedicated to her pits and swears it works like a charm and smells good too…after reading your article, I’m going to give it a try!
Gildy’s is an all natural deodorant that works!! For adults, teens and kids! Try it and see for yourself! No aluminum, no parabens, no junk! Lots of love!
Xxoo
Darrah
I LOVE Alvera Roll-on Deodorant: http://www.amazon.com/Deoderant-Roll-On-Based-Herbal-Ounces/dp/B0014ARGVG It works GREAT! As in, “no time to shower, run out the door the second morning” and it STILL works GREAT! I use the Aloe Unscented version.
There is a wonderful product produced here in Chicago called “Life Stinks.” It’s made by the Duggan sisters and contains only 3 ingredients: sodium bicarbonate, tea tree oil, and lavendar. It’s a powder and only a small amount is needed. I tested it while ziplining in Costa Rica and it worked! As others have mentioned, it takes a week or so for your body to acclimate to n ot using an anti-perspirent. You can read about this product and order it at http://www.duggansisters.com/lifestinks (I do not get paid for advertising this produce, I just think it’s great!).
I have tried so many natural deodorants, but none have worked so well for me than the Ava Anderson Non-Toxic deodorant. It’s unisex as well and is a zero on the Skin Deep Database.
Found a GREAT new vegan natural deodorant at Portland VegFest this fall. It’s made locally in Portland Oregon.
http://schmidtsbeauty.com/Schmidts_Beauty/Home.html. Works great. Even after running I don’t smell. Love this stuff and I’ll never go back to anything else. I use the ylang ylang calendula, they all smell great and work great.
After years of searching and suffering, I found Real Purity Deodorant to be highly effective and compatible with my sensitive skin. http://www.realpurity.com/deodorant.html
Thank you for mentioning us Caroyln! Have you had a chance to try our travel size deodorant yet? We just introduced it earlier this year. Let me know if you want to give it a try and I’ll send ya a free one 🙂 Thanks again Carolyn!!
Hello Kris and thank you for this discussion.
My daughter recently gifted me with an amazing natural deodorant product made by Soap Walla out of Brooklyn, NY. Mine was created by soapwalla chef, Rachel Winard. I will never use my salt stick again.
soapwallachef@gmail.com or http://www.soapwallakitchen.com.
Yes, spent years trying to find the perfect non-toxic, natural deodorant that didn’t leave me with a stink… I recently discovered this awesome brand, Schmidt’s. It’s in a jar so you use a stick applicator to collect your pea-sized amount and then like a cream you apply it to your underarm. I bought the Bergamot Lime and Ylang Ylang Calendula. And I have to say, I’m not trying anything else!! http://schmidtsbeauty.com/Schmidts_Beauty/Home.html
Hydrea London Natural Crystal Deodorant is the best ever, at least for me, I can go through a hard core yoga session without smelling. It’s A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!
The best deodorant so far is the one I make myself. Combine aluminum free baking powder, arrowroot powder with extra virgin coconut oil and a few drops of your favourite essential oil to make a thick paste – you’ll never go back to a commercial deodorant again.
This video could not have some at a better time for us! My daughter is just getting to the point of needing deodorant and I would love to start her out on the right path. She is very interested in making the right choices to keep her body healthy and she always enjoys you, Kris! (The bear and unicorn rating system will also be fun for her!) Thanks so much!
I’ve been wanting to swith my deodorant for some time, and this is the third or fourth time I’ve heard that Soapwalla’s deodorant cream actually works. I like the idea of a cream deodorant– I’ve tried sprays, gels, and just regular ole sticks. I hated the sprays and gels (and antiperspirant freaks me out) so I think I’m going to give the cream a try! Thank goodness for payday tomorrow, and of course, the wonderful info!
OMG, better than a cuppa, watching this made me laugh, giggle, and start my day armed with great info, .
I have been using the salt crystal for over 8 years and love it.
Thank you Kris for what you do, love you, and unicorns