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For your health, think twice about what deodorant you wear.
By Elizabeth Blasi — Written on Sep 06, 2018
Is the deodorant you use everyday harming your body? Potentially. While studies haven't proved the theory, many people believe that the toxins and parabens, like aluminum, in traditional deodorant are causing diseases such as Alzeimer's and breast cancer.
Given the sensitivity, access to pores, and location (next to vital organs, major blood streams, and breast tissue) of the armpit, it's hard not to speculate and reconsider what we're putting under there. And that's why looking into deodorant alternatives might be the best thing for your health.
Many traditional deodorants aren't actually deodorants at all, but antiperspirants. They block our ability to perspire and seal up our pores. Ironically, our sweat isn't what smells — it's the bacteria on our skin that, when mixed with wetness (like sweat), give off an odor.
For a number of reasons, blocking our natural sweat cycle is not good for our health, as it doesn't allow us to rid ourselves of toxins as sweating naturally does. So what do we use? Not to fear, because we've comprised a list of 20 of our favorite and natural deodorant alternatives, made with helpful (not hurtful) ingredients for our bodies. Plus, the ability to feel confident that you're smelling great throughout the day.
1. Pacifica Beauty Underarm Deodorant Wipes
Created without using aluminum, SLS, sulfates, parabens and petroleum, these Pacifica deodorant wipes are ideal to bring with you for occasions without showers like camping, festivals, or after an intense spin class for a quick freshen-up.
(Amazon)
2. Rustic Maka Baking-Soda Free Natural Deodorant
Also made without all the harsh chemicals and toxins, what makes Rustic Maka deodorant different is the absence of baking soda which can be irritating to some. The scents of lavender and spearmint also make for a great dose of calming energy.
(Amazon)
3. Type A Visionary Deodorant
Comprised of natural ingredients in a deodorant that also have sweat activating technology AND is long lasting... yes, please? Type A has both fragrance-free and a scent featuring citron, so there's a choice for everyone.
(Amazon)
4. LAVANILA Natural Deodorant
Winning 2016 Allure's Best of Beauty, LAVANILA's products are well known in the beauty world and receive a clean green stamp at Sephora for its natural and friendly ingredients. Bonus: there are tons of scents to chose from.
(Amazon)
5. Dr. Hauschka Rose Deodorant
Positioned as antiperspirant-free, Dr. Hauschka covers the odor using essential rose or sage oil without impeding on the skin's natural cycling of eliminating toxins from the body (or what we refer to as sweating).
(Amazon)
6. LATHER Lavender & Bergamot Deodorant Crème
Since it's not the natural process of sweat that causes us to smell, rather when bacteria mixes with our sweat, LATHER's cream neutralizes the odor without blocking our sweat glands, making us safe while also being fresh smelling.
(Lather.com, $14)
7 & 8. EO's Certified Organic Deodorant Spray and Certified Organic Deodorant Wipes
With six trademark certifications including USDA Organic, Synthetic Fragrance Free, and Cruelty Free, it's safe to say that by using EO deodorant products you're getting a healthy product for your pits. Made by purely natural essential oils (in both a wipe and spray form, which is different from standardize deodorant sticks) with scents like tea tree, citrus, and lavender.
(EO Products — spray, $6.99; EO Products — wipes, $3.99)
9. Sumbody Be Fresh Deodorant Pads
Sumbody's easy to use deodorant pads are odor neutralizers without any of the chemicals. Using a mixture of mineral salts, essential oils, and hydrosols, the pads combat the stinky B.O. smell by neutralizing and making an unlivable environment for the bacteria located under our arms. Plus, their pads include aloe for a hydration boost and witch hazel that reduces irritation.
(Amazon)
10. Curie Natural Deodorant
According to the chemist behind Curie, "about 10 percent of people have a sensitivity to baking soda that can cause irritation and breakouts. This is sometimes mistaken for an allergic reaction, but in reality, it is caused by a pH imbalance."
Curie's sensitive skin deodorant still has baking soda but at very low levels that can be better tolerated by those that are sensitive to it. But what replaces the baking soda? Curie included other highly effective odor neutralizers and absorbers, such as arrowroot powder and a blend of natural extracts.
(Curie, $12)
11. Crystal Mineral Deodorant Stone
By using mineral salt as your base with the stone crystal, the body is able to fight off the bacteria underneath your armpit that cause the odors. The salt last up to 24 hours, and is perfect for those who are sensitive to smells as the scent is odorless.
(The Crystal, $6.99)
12. Mother Dirt AO+ Mist
Because humans have been spending less time outdoors and using chemicals/products on our skin, we've lost the bacteria AOB which actually unifies the bacteria to prevent the overgrowth of one or the other (the ones that cause odor under our arms). With the AO+booster, it's a treatment that restores AOB bacteria (the healthy bacteria) onto our skin within a matter of weeks.
(Mother Dirt, $49)
13. Dr. Lily Ros 100% Natural Deodorant
Approved by the Natural Products Association, Dr. Lily Ros' deodorant is antiperspirant-free and made with all natural ingredients that don't interrupt the natural cycle of sweating, but instead have wet absorbing ingredients that take away those unpleasant sweat marks.
(Dr. Lily Ros, $18)
14. Nfuse All Natural Magnesium Deodorant
In addition to the wholistic and natural ingredients, the Nfuse natural deodorant comes with a daily dose of magnesium which adds to ample health. So think of your daily deodorant application as a vitamin and mineral boost.
(Amazon)
15. Primal Pit Paste Natural Deodorant Jar
Replacing ingredients like aluminum and parebens, Primal Pit Paste is made up of natural and organic ingredients like Shea butter, arrowroot powder, coconut oil, baking powder (without aluminum), and candelilla wax.
(Amazon)
16. Kopari Coconut Deodorant
The base of Kopari's natural deodorant? Coconut — coconut everything. The mixture of coconut oil and water mixed with sage oil makes for both a smoothing and odor neutralizer, earning this product a clean green stamp of approval from Sephora.
(Amazon)
17. Schmidt's Bergamot & Lime Natural Deodorant Stick
Their Bergamot-Lime formula is not only free from toxic chemicals like aluminum, but comes with fresh spicy-citrus aroma. On top of making us smell of-so-fresh, this deodorant also doubles as a disinfectant and has skin healing properties.
(Amazon)
18. LAVANILA Healthy Underarm Detox Mask
So many believe that by making the switch to natural deodorants, they're not getting the coverage they desire. Reason? Your body is still filled with impurities. LAVANILA's detoxifying mask draws out aluminum and impurities from the skin, giving you a smoother and shorter transition into using natural deodorant for everyday use.
(Amazon)
19. Erbaviva Organic Spray Deodorant
Erbaviva's natural deodorant is known to be a disinfectant, stopping bacteria by fighting them with a blend of essential oils which helps ward off any less-than-fresh body odor. Added benefit? Because of the natural ingredients, this spray can be also used as a cleaner for your sports equipment (smelly yoga mats, anyway).
(Amazon)
20. BIOSSANCE Squalane + Bamboo Deodorant
Earning another clean green stamp of approval from Sephora, BIOSSANCE'S deodorant contains mixes of grapefruit, geranium, and clary sage essential oils which neutralize the odor under our arms. With the addition of the fine bamboo powder, moisture is absorbed keeping the skin white t-shirt safe.
(Sephora, $16)
21. Lone Natural Deodorant
Formulated without hard wax and concentrated to last through whatever the day brings, Bold Deodorant is perfect for all body types and gentle on sensitive skin.
(Lone Bodycare, $9.95)
22. Blume Hug Me Deodorant
Blume deodorant is hardworking and good to wear all day, every day. This is a natural deodorant and the best part? You don't have to reapply every two hours. The secret ingredient: probiotics. Bonus, bonus: Keeps you fresh for 24 hours.
(Blume, $12)
23. nFuse Citrus Magnesium Roll-On Deodorant
Your underarms are proven to have one of the highest rates of absorption of chemicals through the skin. Instead of using aluminum and harmful chemicals, nfuse deodorant delivers magnesium, a critical nutrient which your body needs to perform at its best.
(nFuse, $11.99)
24. Clean Pits Stick
This luscious stick goes on smooth, provides all-day protection, and comes in three powerful scents: lavender, clary sage, and tea tree.
(Clean Pits Company, $16)
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Elizabeth Blasi is a New Yorker. A lifestyle & travel writer, who is often seen with a suitcase in hand, jetsetting to her next location. But as a true Digital Nomad, her love of writing and romance novels means her laptop is always beside her.
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