Deep Diving into Natural Deodorant

Around the new year, I made a bold decision to switch from my trusty antiperspirant to a natural deodorant. It was bold for multiple reasons: I've always worn antiperspirant because I'm a sweaty gal, plus being overweight and minimally active doesn't really help. My mom got me prescription-strength deodorant when I was in high school because of my overactive pits. I finally switched over to men's antiperspirant in college and didn't think twice - it helped, and kept my stank under control, sometimes for up to two days. It made me feel confident, calm, and dry. I was comfortable.

When I started dating my husband, he was initially very concerned that I was using it as it had aluminium and other chemicals that have been shown to cause breast cancer in women. His grandmother had been diagnosed with breast cancer when he was younger, so the health concern was something near to his heart. He didn't want to go through that again, this time with his wife.

But I ignored his concerns at the time because it worked for keeping my pits smelling nice and not like a cheese steak. Speed up to sometime in 2017, when I stumbled upon and read several articles back-to-back dealing specifically with women and antiperspirant. There were some crazy numbers that linked women who used antiperspirants to a significantly higher risk of getting breast cancer than women who did not - while I can't remember the articles or their titles now, I did find some that discuss the potential hazards of antiperspirants:

But either way, I walked away thinking that anything toxic to my body probably shouldn't be going on or in it, right? So I started doing more research. I came across a lot of great resources from wellness influencers/bloggers, YouTubers, and good ol' Google, and already mentally prepared myself for paying at least twice as much for a stick of natural deodorant as opposed to a stick of Old Spice. Spoiler: I made the switch, and it's been . . . well . . . different. If you're interested in my journey with natural deodorant (only about a month in), continue reading.

Explaining it to my husband, a.k.a. "Are you turning into a hippie?"

Remember when I said he was concerned about me using antiperspirant? When he suggested I use regular deodorant, he didn't mean "natural" deodorant. He just meant the ones without the antiperspirant. So when I told him I was going to give the natural route a try, he raised his eyebrow skeptically.

"Are you turning into a hippie?"

He was 100% serious, and understandably so. I had just taken up yoga in November and we had decided around the same time to eat at least two or three plant-based meals a week to be more health conscious. I was also trying to take more time to actively get in touch with my body, whether through intuitive eating or being more present, or just reading my Bible more and taking time to really understand what I was reading. His question was completely warranted. So I explained to him my concerns with using my current antiperspirant, and he supported my decision.

It's SO much more expensive in comparison

This is the part that made me go, "Wait, what??" A normal Old Spice stick of antiperspirant was just over $4/stick. When I ordered my Schmidt's Natural Deodorant, with shipping, it was around $12. Not only is that THREE TIMES the price I was used to paying, but it also had to be shipped to my door. I couldn't casually pick this up at my CVS or Martin's when I ran out. I had to actively plan out when I ordered this because if I ran out, it could mean a disaster for everyone I was around until it arrived.

However, if it's true that natural deodorants significantly cut down my risk for breast cancer (paired with living a healthy lifestyle overall), then $12/stick is a hell of a lot cheaper than hospital bills, and definitely something I can afford every few months.

Reading the directions and picking your style

When I ordered my deodorant, it came with detailed instructions in a little booklet that walked me through the product. It's actually super important that I read and followed the directions to get the best results. Your pits should be clean before application, and don't over-apply. After being used to slathering on my old deodorant, I wanted to do the same with this one. However, the less I applied, the better it worked. If I used too much, my underarms got really wet throughout the day. And, if I don't shower before going to work, I need to use a soapy washcloth before putting it on. Otherwise, the oils from the night make the deodorant not as effective.

You can also choose between a stick or a pot. With a pot, you dip your fingers into the product and apply it directly on your armpits (or you can use popsicle sticks or plastic applicators). While I haven't quite gotten there yet, some people have said it isn't that bad, especially if your pits are clean. I stuck with a stick because, baby steps.

Accepting that it's not antiperspirant

Now that I've transitioned into natural deodorant, I've had to deal with some adjustments. The biggest one is that . . . well . . . I don't know how else to put this, but . . . I stink. Go back to that first paragraph - I was comfortable using antiperspirant. I was confident. Because, finally, finally I didn't have an odor or wetness problem. It was like I could put it on and forget that it was even an issue. I had no worries. If I didn't shower before going to bed, it was fine. I didn't need to care about if my husband smelled my stink.

But now? I mean. I have underarm odor by the end of the day. And by the end of the day, I mean a long, 16-hour or more day. My natural deodorant will last me fine through my workday, and I usually apply a tiny bit more before I go work out, but by the time I'm changing into my PJs, I can be pretty stinky. And that's been my biggest adjustment. It's in those moments that I feel most like a hippie (haha!), pretty vulnerable, and not nearly as comfortable as I once was.

Some people might say, "Well, if you're worrying about it, is it worth the mental hassle?" Which is valid. I've read that people who are making the switch can experience a kind of detox. Your armpits will take on the new deodorant well the first few days, and then you'll notice a change. You might be extra stinky or more wet, or both, within those following couple of weeks as your body adjusts and leaks out the leftovers of your previous deodorizing ways. And that's why they say winter is the best time to make a deodorant switch - by summer, your body will be adjusted to your new choice.

I'm currently on the tail end of this detox, but I can't complain. I'm mostly odor free all day.

Other key points

- If your underarms are sensitive, red, or itchy in this process, try getting a deodorant that doesn't have baking soda. It can sometimes cause a negative reaction that deodorant without baking soda doesn't.

- Most brands offer gender-neutral scents.

- It's going to be weird for the first couple of days to have your armpits smell like nothing. I purchased the Bergamot + Lime deodorant from Schmidt's, and the citrus smell is strong at first, but it wears off throughout the day. I was stunned when I took off my cardigan at the end of a work day and it literally smelled like nothing. Like I had never even worn it for eleven hours. It was surreal.

- Do your research and pick a brand that matches your lifestyle the best. There are more and more natural brands available now than there was even five years ago, so it's a great time to start experimenting if you've been thinking about making the switch. Do what's best for your health and your peace of mind.

- It will be an adjustment, no matter what. Having to wash my armpits with a washcloth some days is still weird for me, but it's becoming less weird the more I do it. I don't even want to think about what I was putting into my body (right at precious lymph nodes too), layer after layer, over time. But I've made the switch, and I'm willing to do the extra steps of maintenance to keep those harsh chemicals out of my body.

If you've made the switch to natural deodorant, tell me about your experience. Which brand do you like best? Did you notice any adjustments?

Or, on the flip side, if you're thinking about switching to natural deodorants, what's stopping you? Sound off in the comments - let's start a conversation.

As always, thanks for reading. I'm still patiently awaiting my smoothie powders - last I checked they were in Sydney. Once I get them, we'll be throwing down some smoothie recipes! xoxo