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We all know how difficult it is to find an effective and healthy deodorant. We took a deep dive into what makes the best deodorant for women (and men). Hopefully what we’ve discovered will help you in your search. Here’s what we’ll cover in this blog post:
- What Natural Deodorants Do Differently
- Why We Sweat
- The Aluminum Talk
- Why The Best Deodorants for Women Are Natural
- Ingredients To Look for In Your Search for The Best Deodorant for Women
- Other Factors to Consider When Finding the Best Deodorant for Women
- If You Have Sensitive Skin
- Making Your Own Best Deodorant
- Guides For Continuing Your Natural Skincare Journey
WHAT NATURAL DEODORANTS DO DIFFERENTLY
Let’s start with the basics. How do natural deodorants differ in their approach to tackling sweat and body odor? First off, it’s important to clarify that deodorants do not block sweat. Unlike antiperspirants, deodorants work to stop the odor, not the sweat. There are deodorant-antiperspirant hybrids that attempt to combat both odor and sweat. However, antiperspirants and their hybrid counterparts often contain chemicals and aluminum salts. When you apply an antiperspirant, the aluminum is blocking the release of sweat. This means that the bacteria responsible for sweat odor don’t come running to eat it.
Best deodorants for women (and men) allow your body to perspire normally. They work instead to eradicate the odor-producing bacteria munching on your sweat. Natural deodorants aim to be absorbent and funny odor-killing without the use of harsher ingredients.
Natural deodorants, as their name suggests, use natural ingredients to achieve similar results. Natural deodorants are well-deserving of the title best deodorant for women. They might even be best for Mother Earth as well. Many natural deodorants are sustainably made and environmentally friendly. Alternatively, products with aluminum are often harmful to the ecosystems where their aluminum is mined. The mining of aluminum contributes to deforestation and can upset nature’s delicate balance.
WHY WE SWEAT
Sweating is often depicted as something to be embarrassed by. However, it’s important to remember that sweat is not a source of shame. Everything the body does has a reason. Sweating is no exception. When we begin to overheat, our millions of sweat glands begin to produce sweat. This moisture is intended to cool us off. Our bodies are also excellent at ridding themselves of what we don’t need. Sweat contains toxins, proteins, and other materials that the body has deemed unnecessary.
Sweating is a natural process that antiperspirants and other products with aluminum attempt to stop. And let’s not forget—the sweat itself isn’t stinky. It’s the eating, breeding, and waste production of those sweat-chomping bacteria! Natural deodorants don’t try to stop your body from executing important, basic functions. That’s why they’re the best deodorants for women. The stigma around the very natural process of sweating probably isn’t going away anytime soon. But there are still ways to tackle body odor without impairing your body’s methods for keeping you safe and cool.
THE ALUMINUM TALK
Aluminum is often the instrumental ingredient in preventing perspiration. There are drawbacks to preventing this natural process, as we’ve discussed. Without sweating, your body could have a harder time cooling itself off. Beyond that, there are still more issues to do with aluminum. The debate is still ongoing as to whether or not the use of antiperspirants with aluminum has long-term health consequences.
The jury is still out on whether or not aluminum can be a skin irritant. It is certainly true that using deodorants or antiperspirants with aluminum can cause drier skin. However, the added chemicals and artificial fragrances common in these product types can make it difficult to distinguish the culprit of dry and irritated skin. If you’ve ever removed a sweaty T-shirt and found yellow pit stains, you may be witnessing the aluminum’s dirty work. It has been speculated that aluminum is the culprit behind the yellowing of sweat stains. The conversation about aluminum’s effects is ongoing, but many have opted not to take the risk.
WHY THE BEST DEODORANTS FOR WOMEN ARE NATURAL
Okay, so it seems like antiperspirants are the Big Bad here. Why, then, are natural deodorants preferable to other types of deodorant? Well, for starters, common deodorant products are often actually the antiperspirant-deodorant hybrids mentioned above. But even when comparing non-hybrid deodorant to natural deodorant, natural deodorant remains the best deodorant for women.
Natural deodorants use non-synthetic, non-toxic materials. Natural ingredients can be less irritating to the skin, which is optimal for those with sensitive skin. As mentioned previously, the making of natural deodorants is often sustainable and eco-friendly. No aluminum mining means no disrupting natural habitats. The lack of chemicals in the natural deodorant-making process also means that they often take far less energy to produce.
If the environment is a cause you are passionate about, it may be worth perusing natural deodorant websites to find the most eco-friendly. While many are better for the environment than their competitors, some natural deodorant businesses invest in eco-friendly packaging practices as well. Keep an eye out for mentions of recyclable, plastic-free packaging and zero waste skincare.
INGREDIENTS TO LOOK FOR In Yiur Search For Best Deodorant For Women
Not all natural deodorants are made the same. There is no perfect combination of ingredients that will work for everyone. Everybody is different. You’ll likely have to do some experimenting to find the best ingredients for you personally. Below we’ve rounded up a few common natural ingredients to help you start your quest for the best deodorant.
(Quick reminder: it’s always best to try on a small patch of skin first. It’s seldom a good idea to start slathering a new product over your pits with little idea of how your body will react. It’s recommended to try a few days of patch tests before applying any new product to the whole armpit.)
- Baking soda is a popular ingredient in natural deodorants. The natural product soaks up the moisture from sweat. It also gets rid of the odor-producing bacteria that come for a snack. However, some individuals find that baking soda can have a drying or irritating effect on their skin. Those with sensitive skin should be especially careful with products containing baking soda
- Witch hazel is famous for its ability to make your pores smaller. With witch hazel, you can sweat less. The all-natural ingredient is derived from a shrub
- Arrowroot is a handy alternative to baking soda. It works much in the same way as baking soda when it comes to absorbing the moisture from sweat. However, it doesn’t seem to irritate the skin like baking soda does for some users
OTHER FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN FINDING THE BEST DEODORANT FOR women
The best deodorant for you will be the one that fits all of your needs. Do you prefer a deodorant stick, gel, cream, gel-to-powder? What does your deodorant budget look like? Do you need something to get you through the day with as little reapplication as possible? Do you want something that smells incredible? Or something that smells like nothing at all? Your individual needs and preferences will inevitably differ from those of other consumers.
Take some time to reflect on your needs and priorities. Making a numbered list or journaling can help you remember which ingredients and characteristics you like and dislike. Always make careful note of any products that you find ineffective, drying, or irritating to the skin. You shouldn’t have to go out of your financial comfort zone to find a great and easy-to-use natural deodorant, either. Certain products will take less of your time and money than others. Researching a variety of natural deodorants can help tremendously in the long run. If you want full control over the ingredients that go into your deodorant, consider making your own. There are many natural deodorant recipes online that will help you get started.
IF YOU HAVE SENSITIVE SKIN
If you have sensitive skin, your journey for the best deodorant might look a bit different. However, natural deodorants remain an excellent option. Try avoiding natural deodorants with baking soda. Many alternatives use less-irritating ingredients like arrowroot or magnesium instead with great success. Depending on the severity or nature of your skin sensitivity, it might be a good idea to consult with a dermatologist or physician to find the ingredients safest for you.
Remember to use a patch test by applying to a smaller site first. Apply a small amount of the product on a tiny part of the inside of your upper arm. Repeat in the first few days and observe. If all is well after a few days of patch tests, you can try applying the new product to your entire armpit. Additionally, you may want to avoid making multiple changes at once. For example, let’s say you find some new natural brands you really want to try and order multiple products. When the shipment comes, choose one to test first. If you try more than one skincare product at a time and experience a negative reaction, you may not be able to isolate which product caused the reaction. Finding best skincare products is a process.
MAKING Your Own BEST DEODORANT
Making your own deodorant enables you to control ingredient selection, base type, and fragrance. Online recipes can guide you through all the necessary steps to create a natural liquid, cream, or powder deodorant. Many recipes require little more than a jar and a handful of accessible, all-natural ingredients. You can create a deodorant that simply works to erase odor, or you can add essential oils to infuse a nice aroma. Coconut oil is antimicrobial, antibacterial, and moisturizing. It also serves as a great deodorant base. Other deodorant bases include baking soda, arrowroot, shea butter, or a combination of natural ingredients.
GUIDES FOR CONTINUING YOUR NATURAL SKINCARE JOURNEY
Finding the best natural skincare products is a long yet rewarding journey. The fun part is that there is always more to learn and explore. As the demand for natural skincare products continues to rise, so too will the amount of research and creativity that goes into the creation process. For those looking to renew and smoothen their skin, vegan retinol is another valuable natural skincare product. Plant Mother’s organic vegan retinol serum is an all-natural, environmentally friendly anti-aging skincare product.
Vegan subscription boxes can also be a great resource for individuals looking to experiment with new skincare products. Scouring the shelves for vegan beauty products can be a long and frustrating endeavor. A subscription box can bring spontaneity and excitement into your quest for a more natural and environmentally friendly lifestyle.
REFERENCES
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. The publisher of this content does not take responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement, skincare product, or lifestyle program.
