What Is Natural Deodorant?
Posted by Lox & Company on Jul 14th 2023
Deodorant — we’re all familiar with it, and we all use it every day (hopefully). So many people use deodorant without giving it much thought and buy whatever’s on sale at the time. Other people are brand-loyal, only buying that specific deodorant with that specific scent that fits their “vibe.”
We all have different relationships with our deodorants, but have you ever stopped to think about what's actually in the deodorant you use under your arms every day? You deserve to be fully informed about the products you’re buying and putting on your sensitive skin. Take a closer look at deodorants and discover why you should consider using a natural deodorant to stay feeling and smelling fresh.
The Problem With Today’s Traditional Deodorants
To understand why you should be using a natural deodorant, you must first realize the problem with many of today’s traditional deodorants. The next time you’re browsing the deodorant section, take a few moments to read the ingredients on the back label. Chances are, you’ll be seeing a lot of words that are difficult to read and pronounce. Your next question should be, what the heck are these ingredients?
Suffice it to say, the majority of these ingredients are probably not found in nature. They are chemicals produced in labs that are made with one goal in mind — to make people smell better, and maybe stop them from sweating. Because let’s face it, body odor is not always pleasant, and we want to fight against it. That’s why deodorant exists in the first place. But at what cost? To what lengths will you go to reduce your body odor?
These big deodorant companies will go to great lengths, it turns out. Using unnatural ingredients, harsh chemicals, and questionable additives that have plenty of controversy surrounding them. Two main ingredients come to mind regarding the health concerns of traditional deodorants — aluminum and parabens. Let’s dive a little deeper into these ingredients found in many of today’s deodorant products.
Aluminum
Aluminum is basically a buzzword at this point when it comes to deodorant. Aluminum is actually an “anti-perspirant,” meaning it stops people from sweating (legally, any deodorant containing aluminum must state that it is an anti-perspirant, not simply a deodorant). The aluminum gets in the way of your pores, causing sweat to be unable to come out. Cool, right?
While it can be a benefit to reduce the amount of sweat your body releases throughout the day, there is plenty of controversy swirling around the internet regarding the negative effects it can have on the mind and the body. Claims have been made about cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and more. And while there seems to be no conclusive mainstream evidence about the risk of aluminum (we won’t even mention how Big Pharma “buys” studies to have results that fit their agenda), we like to take the easier, more natural route by simply avoiding it. Are you willing to risk your health to avoid a little sweat?
Parabens
Parabens are another one of those ingredients that have received some negative press, causing more and more hygiene companies to avoid using it. You may have already seen plenty of products on the shelves saying, “Paraben Free,” and so forth (we’ve been paraben-free since like, forever, but that’s besides the point). But what are parabens?
Parabens are preservatives that keep hygiene products fresher longer. They’re often in shampoos, conditioners, body washes, grooming products, and yep — deodorants. Some sources claim that parabens can indirectly cause cancer, but the studies are (of course) inconclusive.
While it’s starting to be popular to make products that are paraben-free, some major companies are still using them. Pay attention to the ingredients list if you decide to avoid parabens.
What Makes a Deodorant “Natural”?
Natural deodorant ditches the chemicals found in traditional deodorant and antiperspirant products and replaces them with ingredients found in nature. At Lox, we use only all-natural ingredients in our deodorants — ingredients you can pronounce and easily research, like these:
- Shea butter
- Coconut oil
- Arrowroot powder
- Baking soda
- Beeswax
- Vitamin E
- Essential oils (different combinations depending on the flavor)
And that’s it! No aluminum or parabens to worry about, no strange chemicals that leave you wondering what the heck they even do to help you stay fresh. Natural deodorants like ours make your hygiene routine simpler, cleaner, and a bit more natural.
Do Natural Deodorants Actually Work?
Yes! Everyone’s body is unique, so your experience may differ from the next person. But overall, natural deodorant is an excellent way to neutralize body odor and replace it with a more appealing scent.
It’s worth noting that natural deodorants are not antiperspirants because they lack aluminum. This means you may still sweat when using natural deodorants, but they will work to reduce the unpleasant odor from your sweat to keep you feeling fresh. The arrowroot powder and baking soda found in our deodorants are also natural sweat absorbers, so they can help keep your underarms dry throughout the day — without the need for aluminum!
The Benefits of Using Natural Deodorant
Using natural deodorant provides several important benefits. Here are five benefits you should consider if you’re on the fence about trying them.
Peace of Mind
Natural deodorant can give you more peace of mind. If you’re conscious about the types of products you use and consume, then you may want to avoid the questionable chemicals found in traditional deodorant. Using natural deodorant can help you feel better about the products you’re using and applying to your body.
A More Natural Lifestyle
Your skin is like a sponge. It absorbs what you put on it, including the deodorant you apply under your arms every day. Do you want your skin absorbing strange chemicals? Or would you rather have it absorb chemicals that are natural — and actually provide soothing benefits?
If you’re interested in using more natural products, then it makes sense to try natural deodorant, too. Holistically, it can become part of the natural lifestyle you’re trying to foster.
Easy on Your Skin
If you have sensitive underarms, then you’re extremely conscious of the kind of deodorant you use. Some may cause you to feel itchy, while others can lead to an unpleasant burning sensation. You obviously want to avoid that, so we recommend giving natural deodorants a try to see if they can help with irritation issues.
Our natural deodorants contain so few ingredients, you can easily do your research to see the kind of effects they might have on your skin. We strive to use only natural, gentle ingredients so you can feel comfortable and confident using them every day.
Fewer Yellow Stains on Clothes
The presence of aluminum in antiperspirant deodorant is credited with causing those nasty yellow stains on your shirts. We’ve all experienced these stains, but when you use natural deodorant, they can become a thing of the past.
Natural deodorant contains no aluminum, which means there will be no yellowing of your clothing. The ingredients we use in our natural deodorants easily wash out of clothing. It’s a win!
Natural Sweat Absorption
After switching from an antiperspirant deodorant to a natural one, you may experience more sweat. Even though natural deodorant won’t stop sweat from happening, it can reduce its presence. As natural absorbents, arrowroot powder and baking powder will keep your sweat at bay, naturally. Everyone’s different, so you’ll have to try it for yourself to see how it works for you!
Are You Ready to Try Natural Deodorant?
If you feel like it’s time to ditch the chemical-laced deodorant you’ve been using and replace it with something more natural, we’ve got you covered. Each of our deodorants contains only natural ingredients, and we NEVER use parabens or aluminum. Shea butter and coconut oil moisturize the skin while arrowroot powder absorbs sweat. All-natural essential oils keep you smelling fresh, and beeswax holds it all together. Taming body odor naturally has never been so easy!
So what are you waiting for? Order one of our all-natural deodorants today!