How And Why: Transitioning To Natural Deodorant

When you first decide to make a life style change, whether it be changing your hair, loosing weight, eating healthier, becoming a minimalist, etc; it is best to start with small steps.

What inspired me to use more natural products, in this case deodorant, is the simple fact that I do not want chemicals coming near my body or on my body. This same rule should also apply to foods we eat (we’ll get to that another time).

Just follow this simple rule: “if you can’t pronounce the ingredients, don’t use/eat it”.

I am no scientist or chemist, but I do my research and come to my own conclusions, and this is some of what I have found to be true… Antiperspirants and deodorants contain chemicals known endocrine disruptors – such as parabens. (listed under the names butylparaben, isobutylparaben, and propylparaben). As a woman, the main fact that made me make the transition was that aluminum compounds are used in deodorants. They end up blocking the sweat ducts. The aluminum compounds have been found to act like estrogen, which furthers the growth of breast cancer cells. Brest cancer runs in my family and the last thing I wanted to do was encourage it!

Many deodorants can be irritating to the skin and where some people think sweating and having “pit stains” is disgusting- its natural and should happen….Sweating is healthy and you shouldn’t feel obligated to use a chemically filled antiperspirant that clogs your underarm pores to eliminate it.

This might come as a surprise, but depending on your diet, some people might not even need deodorant. If you tend to be excessively sweaty and smelly in the pit area, take a look at your diet. Are you consuming a lot of caffeine (like me), alcohol, garlic, spicy foods, and processed and sugary snacks? If so, try eliminating these and replacing them with water dense foods such as cucumbers and celery, it may help!

There are tons of natural deodorant recipes if you are feeling DIY-ish, but as of late, I would recommend Toms of Maine and Primal Pit Paste (review to come soon). They both are filled with essential oils, vitamin E (which is good for the skin), last up to 24 hours, are aluminum free, and are on the more affordable side of the price spectrum. Toms of Main is priced at about $4-$5 and Primal Pit Paste (it has 120 uses for each pit) is $8-$9. I get both of them at my local Kroger found in the organic food section.

I encourage you to stop using your Suave and Arm and Hammer deodorants as soon as possible and make this small transition to a more simplistic and healthy lifestyle. Your armpits will thank you….

May peace, joy, love, and gratitude be with you always.