Does Natural Deodorant Actually Work?
Natural deodorants emerged as an alternative to antiperspirants that contain aluminum. Natural deodorants are deemed to be the safer and more environment-friendly option. However, it has gained a bad rap for not being effective at keeping body odor in check. Learn what natural deodorant is, how it works, whether it actually works, and why you should definitely switch to natural deodorants.
What Causes Body Odor?
Most people think that sweat is the source of body odor—that the sweat they excrete is the one that stinks. This is probably why antiperspirant deodorants are so popular. However, this is all a misconception. Sweat in itself does not stink. Sweat is mostly water that merely helps the body regulate temperature. Sweat is an important bodily function, so preventing it is not a very good idea.
So, if not sweat, what causes body odor? Body odor forms when sweat is broken down by bacteria in the armpits turning it into acids, which in turn, causes body odor. In conclusion, sweat is not the enemy here. In combating body odor, you should focus on fighting the bacteria that live on the armpits.
How Does Natural Deodorant Differ From Antiperspirant Deodorants?
Natural deodorants are made with natural ingredients, specifically plant-based ingredients. These are carrier oils, essential oils, and cornstarch or arrowroot. Essential oils, such as tea tree oil, patchouli, eucalyptus, and lemon, have strong anti-bacterial properties. These neutralize bacteria before it even interacts with sweat, therefore preventing body odor. Simultaneously, essential oils have natural fragrances that helps keep your body smelling fresh.
Most commercial deodorants also have anti-bacterial abilities; however, their main selling point is the antiperspirant abilities. Antiperspirant deodorants contain aluminum which prevents sweat by clogging up the pores. Without sweat, the bacteria in your underarms do not cause body odor. Unlike antiperspirant deodorants, natural deodorants do not control sweat. Your armpits will still sweat, but cornstarch or arrowroot, absorb the excess sweat so you don’t feel the sweat as much.
Does Natural Deodorant Work?
Yes! But, it doesn’t work in the same way as commercial deodorants. As mentioned earlier, natural deodorants neutralize bacteria rather than control sweat.
The primary complaint of people who are just starting to use natural deodorant is that it seems to make them sweat and stink worse. This is attributable to the purging. The purge is an adjustment time that lasts somewhere between two weeks to four weeks. This is characterized by excessive sweating and, as a result, worse body odor. People sweat more and stink more during this transition time because the sweat glands go on overdrive upon release from pore-clogging antiperspirants. The body releases all pent-up sweat, which contributes to the body odor. Give your natural deodorant some time. Once the purging is over, you will notice that you will start sweating less and smelling less.
However, if after 4 weeks, your body odor is still uncontrollable, this may mean that the product is not a good match for you. This is a reality among all skincare products—you need to test to see which one works for you, but it does not mean that natural deodorants do not work. Utama Spice’s His and Hers Deodorants may be the right natural deodorant for you. It absorbs sweat, fights odor-causing bacteria, and keeps you smelling fresh without the help of synthetic chemicals or artificial fragrances.
Why You Should Switch To Natural Deodorant
Let Your Body Breathe
While the link between aluminum and diseases remains unproven, it is clear that sweat is an important natural bodily function meant to help maintain body temperature. So, preventing your body from sweating will affect this function. As established earlier, sweat is not the problem, but the bacteria. So, switching to natural deodorant would be good for your body.
Gentle On The Skin
If you are the type of person with sensitive skin, a natural deodorant is a great choice since they are less likely to cause irritations. Utama Spice’s natural deodorants are made with natural ingredients so they are gentle on the skin and are less likely to cause allergic reactions. Of course, it is advisable to still conduct a skin test to ensure that the deodorant matches with you.
Say Bye To Yellow Stains
The chemicals used in commercial deodorants cause the dreaded yellow stain. A yellow stain in your armpit area is never a pleasant sight. Not having to struggle to get these stains out is just one of the many benefits of using a natural deodorant. Natural deodorants do not react negatively with fabrics, and so do not cause stains.
Make Natural Deodorant Work For You
A lot of people agree that natural deodorant works even better than commercial deodorants, but it would not hurt to practice a few things that will improve your experience with natural deodorant.
- Stay Loyal To Natural Deodorant
Aside from weathering the purging time, do your best to stick only to natural deodorants so you do not have to go through a purging another time.
- Wash And Exfoliate Your Armpits
Washing your armpits everyday is a no-brainer. Keeping your armpits clean of bad bacteria minimizes body odor. In addition to this, exfoliating your armpits helps draw out impurities that contribute to body odor. This practice may help you control body odor especially during the transition period.
- Stick To Natural Fabrics
Synthetic fabrics, nylon, polyester, and rayon, are not ideal for people who struggle with body odor. These fabrics are water-repellent so they keep sweat inside. This is not only uncomfortable for you, but also makes your body the breeding ground for odor-causing bacteria. Natural fabrics, such as cotton and linen, help control body odor since they allow the sweat to evaporate.
Make The Switch!
Natural deodorants are the antithesis of antiperspirant deodorants commonly available in the market. Natural deodorants may have received a bad reputation because of the transition period, but it is a much better, healthier way to combat body odor. You will still sweat, but you will definitely smell fresh. Visit Utama Spice for more information on our natural deodorant
Love my natural deoderant from Beautycounter!
Good to know! lots of information i wasn’t aware of
Love the fact it contains all natural ingredients with strong anti-bacterial properties that work.
I think they do, however deodorants in general are not long lasting need to be reapplied few times a day.
I’ve found that natural deodorants do work, once young get through that purge.
That’s an interesting read. I was part of one of the biggest selling deodorant companies in Australia. The natural products are only a tiny portion of the market back then. It’s great to see the natural products are now making a go of it in the market place
OOh never used a deodrant before
Looks great
This was so interesting to read, thanks for sharing! I have never used a natural deodorant before but now I want to.
Thanks for the info
I always like natural prodcuts
I’ve been a long time user of natural deodorant and am convinced it works! The antiperspirants clog my pores and I don’t like the idea of all that bacteria being ‘stuck’ inside! informative – thanks!
I’m excited to try to Utama Spice’s natural deodorant. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and was advised to use a deodorant without aluminum. I’m buying these for her, me and my daughters. I also love how there’s a his and hers option!
I’ll have to give natural deodorants a try. I think it will be better for me overall. Natural is better!
I would like to switch. Some deodorants itch.
I have not had good luck with natural deodrants so far. Maybe I should try again.
Love this, haven’t tried natural deodorants so far but want to now that I’ve read this article!
I haven’t used an Antiperspirant in 15 years. I have had good results with natural deodorants. I also do not sweat a lot.
I love using natural deodorant
I know there was some concern in medical circles about exposure to aluminium being linked to Alzheimers disease, so avoiding in deodourants could only be a good thing.
informative article
I don’t think I’ve ever had natural deodorant before. Now I definitely need to.
I’ve never used natural deoderant and have been considering it for some time now. This article is definitely swaying me towards going natural, it just sounds better
I have never used a natural deodorant before because I wasn’t sure they worked.but I will look into them.
doesnt work for me
Thank you! Great informative article! Yes natural deodorant is so much better for you then the ones with chemicals.
Yes! I learned that they do.
Way safer than anti-perspirants with all their chemicals!
Great suggestions, and yes, they do work!
Always thought sweat was the culprit of body odor. Guess not. Thanks for the post.
OK I’m convinced to give Natural deoderant a try !
I’ve always wondered about the effectiveness of natural deodarant
I am not keen on products containing aluminum. I need to check out natural deodorants.
This is so informative! I never knew exactly HOW natural deodorants worked, I guess I just assumed it was a different version of the commercial stuff.
I like that this blog has practical information. I didn’t realize that there would be ‘purge’ period and probably didn’t give the last product time to work. I would be willing to try it again.
I was always afraid to try them because of the excessive sweating myth. Purging makes perfect sense to me and I will give them a try!
I love it
No sweat and natural – that would be energizing !
Hmm, very interesting sounds a lot cleverer to neutralise the bacteria & thus the odour rather than the sweat itself – which helps cool the body down. Will have to give it a shot & hope it works for me.
I Love the all natural ingredients , NO Pain in your armpit
I’m using more natural ingredients. Thank you for the tip.
i’d love to try this out
I’ve never tried natural deodorant before looks great.
Initially I was sceptical – now i recommend to all – fresh and natural is definitely best
I always use a natural deodorant many choices now
I have tried natural deodorants a couple of times, and they did not work well for me. I sweat a lot though, so I may just be an exception.
Thank you for the detailed information. I started using natural non aluminum deodorant because my shirts armpits were turning yellow. I knew it couldn’t be good for me. Now I know it is the bacteria to fight. Not the sweat.
I know it’s dumb but I’m irrationally afraid to make the switch in case I am gross! Any tips?
This is something I want to try.
Fabric info was interesting.
Natural deodorant is not something I’ve ever considered or even thought about for that matter. This info has given me some insight as to whether I might want to try it so I appreciate the information.
I’m still on the fence about it. But I’d try it to see. Just antiperspirant, I don’t like. Your right it don’t let you pits sweat. Causes me to have, like pimples in my arm pits. They hurt like a !@$^!× =/÷&<+. I don't mind a mix of the 2. But prefer just deodorant.
Thanks for the information! I’ll be looking into natural deodorant!
I’ve used natural deodorant for a year or 2 now and I really like it.
They don’t work for me.
I’m still not completely convinced that this can cover up my garlic addiction.
Great information i shall have to try natural deodorant
I’ve been using natural deodorant and it actually works,
After reading this article, I definitely want to switch to a natural deodorant. I didn’t know that anti-perspirants trap sweat in your body. That doesn’t sound healthy so I think I will try a natural deodorant in future.
Baking soda actually works really well as a natural deodorant.
I’ve thought of using a natural deodorant before, but admit, I have been afraid of excessive sweating.
I use it and it does work.
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