Natural Deodorant Australia

Does Natural Deodorant Actually Work?

Yes! A quality, well formulated natural deodorant can be highly effective at controlling body odour. Personally, I find our natural deodorant to be far more effective than all the regular antiperspirants I’ve tried over the years.

Having said that, not all products are created equal. There’s plenty of deodorant on the market, both natural and aluminium based that aren’t particularly effective. If you've had a bad experience in the past don’t give up, there are some great natural deodorants on the market that are highly effective.

How does natural deodorant differ from regular deodorant?

The key difference between natural and regular deodorant is that natural deodorant is made using natural ingredients such as coconut oil, tapioca starch, sodium bicarbonate and magnesium hydroxide. Regular deodorant typically utilises aluminium compounds along with a host of synthetic cosmetic ingredients that often contain parabens and Phthalates, chemical stabilisers and preservatives.

From an efficacy point of view both natural and regular deodorant can be highly effective at preventing and managing body odour. One key point of difference is that natural deodorant won’t stop you from sweating. Antiperspirant does this by blocking your pores with aluminium compounds.

What are the benefits of using natural deodorant?

The main benefit of using natural deodorant is a reduction in exposure to potentially harmful ingredients. The long term safety of applying chemicals and aluminium on your body has been called to question. By choosing a natural option you can control body odour effectively using natural, plant derived ingredients.

According to Dr Benjamin Chan "Too much aluminium in your body can cause bone diseases or dementia”. And some studies such as this one suggest a link between applying aluminium  to the armpits and breast cancer. Describing aluminium as “capable of causing both DNA alterations and epigenetic effects… consistent with a potential role in breast cancer”

Avoiding potential toxins is reason enough to make the switch to natural deodorant, but the benefits don’t end there. Here’s a few more:

1. Increased effectiveness: I find natural deodorant to be far more effective than any regular antiperspirant I’ve tried, ever. Which is great news, because I get to avoid chemicals and be completely odour free!
2. Reduced Environmental Impact: Natural deodorants tend to have more environmentally friendly packaging and ingredients. They often use recyclable or biodegradable materials and avoid synthetic chemicals that can harm the environment.
3. Cruelty-Free and Vegan Options: Many natural deodorant brands are committed to cruelty-free practices and offer vegan options. If this aligns with your ethical and lifestyle choices going natural is a great move.
4. Supporting Sustainable Brands: Choosing natural deodorants from ethical and sustainable brands supports a more environmentally conscious approach to personal care. Let's face it, this planet needs us to look after it, that's why at Arluka we operate in a sustainable manner and use plastic free options wherever possible.

How do I transition to using natural deodorant?

The easiest way to transition to using natural deodorant is to simply start using it in place of regular deodorant. For some people the transition will go smoothly and natural deodorant will begin working straight away. Some people may experience a ‘detox period’ while their body adjusts to natural deodorant. If this is the case for you the following tips may help make your transition smoother:

1. Choose the right time: Getting married? Have a job interview or important presentation? Hmmm, perhaps it’s not the best week to make the switch. Consider starting the transition when you have a few days or a week free from activities where excess sweating would be plain embarrassing!
2. Detox your underarms: If you’ve been an antiperspirant user your pores may be clogged with Aluminium. If this is the case it’s normal to experience increased sweating and body odour as you transition to natural alternatives. Rest assured that this is normal and usually passes in 1-3 weeks. Exfoliating your armpits and using natural ingredients like clay, activated charcoal and apple cider vinegar can speed things along and help remove toxins from previous deodorants.
3. Embrace The Sweat: Deodorants won’t stop you sweating like aluminium based antiperspirant does. And that’s great! Sweating is healthy, and completely normal. Adjusting your mental outlook on sweating will prepare you for the change. In time you’ll be completely comfortable with sweating.
4. Apply as needed: Some natural deodorants will require reapplication during the day, particularly if you’re very physically active. Don’t be afraid to apply a little more if you’re not feeling as fresh as you’d like. Personally, I find one application of Arluka deodorant more than enough to get through the day, even when I’ve been hitting the gym.
5. Wear breathable fabrics: Natural fibres like cotton allow your skin to breathe, reducing the buildup of sweat. So ditch the synthetics and let your armpits be free!
6. Diet can impact your body odour: Spicy and pungent foods can contribute to stronger body odour. If you’re struggling during the transition it may be best to lay off the garlic prawns and beef vindaloo for a week or two. Just sayin’.

Is natural deodorant better for sensitive skin?

Well, this is a tricky question to answer… so the answer I’ll give you of course, is it depends. It all comes down to what your skin is sensitive to. If you’re sensitive to coconut oil or baking soda then a lot of natural deodorants won’t be ideal for your body. On the other hand, if it’s chemical compounds and preservatives that don’t agree with your skin then natural deodorant will be your new best friend.

The key to sensitive skin is figuring out what ingredients cause issues for you. This may be a matter of trial and error, but in time you’ll discover exactly what ingredients you should avoid so you can stay odour and irritation free.

Why does natural deodorant sometimes cause skin irritation?

The most common cause of skin irritation from natural deodorant is high levels of sodium bicarbonate. Whilst it’s fantastic at preventing body odour, bicarb is alkaline, and can be irritating when used in high amounts. I find most people tend to tolerate a moderate level of sodium bicarbonate, but many will react when used in excess.

Other common causes of skin irritation when using natural deodorant are reactions to essential oils, or carrier oils such as coconut. If you are experiencing skin irritation try using less product, it may simply be a case of less is more! If the problem persists discontinue use and try a different product.

How often do I need to reapply natural deodorant? 

How often you need to reapply natural deodorant depends on how pungent your body odour is and your level of activity. A really heavy sweater who’s prone to bad body odour may find the need to reapply multiple times each day. For the average person though applying to clean, dry armpits once each day will keep you odour free.

Does natural deodorant help with excessive sweating?

Natural deodorant won’t stop excessive sweating. It will however eliminate the smell associated with sweat. If you’re goal is to reduce excessive sweating a high strength antiperspirant may be ideal for you. If you’d prefer to avoid aluminium and don’t mind a little sweat then natural deodorant Is the right choice for you.

Can I use natural deodorant during workouts and intense physical activity?

Absolutely! A well formulated natural deodorant will be effective during workouts and intense physical activity. By using natural ingredients to control bacterial overgrowth in your underarms natural deodorant will keep you odour free as you exercise. 

Can I make my own natural deodorant at home? 

Making your own natural deodorant at home is certainly possible, especially if you’re happy to use a basic formulation and aren’t overly concerned with the texture. Ingredients such as coconut oil and sodium bicarbonate are a good starting point. Of course, a well formulated deodorant will usually do a better job and feel nicer than something you whip up at home. We use ingredients that are significantly harder to source and very expensive to ensure the best balance between effectiveness and skin health in our deodorants.