Buzz
I vividly recall the excitement I felt as a kid when I first needed deodorant. I couldn't wait to buy my own Teen Spirit in Sweet Strawberry or Pink Crush. But the reality hit hard when the first wave of odor caught me off guard during a spelling test in fourth grade. Deodorant went from being a futuristic luxury to a necessary inconvenience. Growing up in the early 2000s, natural deodorant wasn't even on my radar, just like many other popular deodorants for women. Secret was my go-to, from the gel formulas I relied on for sports to the sweet-scented bars I used for everyday protection. As I entered my 20s, the deodorant landscape began shifting, and I gladly embraced the change. Now, a decade after making the switch to natural deodorant, I'm finally seeing products that give traditional deodorants a real run for their money—natural options worth trying! Although I’ve made the switch for good, there’s a large group of skeptics, and I’m here to clear things up.
Making the Move to Natural Deodorant
Natural personal care products—everything from toothpaste and deodorant to shampoo and lotion—are now all the rage. What used to be limited to a small section in CVS, with brands like Tom's and Burt's Bees , has exploded in both stores and online. The decision to switch to natural deodorant was easy for me, but the experience wasn’t as smooth as I expected.
I’ve never been a particularly sweaty person, especially in the armpit area. I didn’t need to reapply deodorant all day. But after switching to a natural deodorant, that’s exactly what started happening. How could natural deodorant actually make me sweat and smell more? I figured it might not work, but this was something else entirely. It felt uncomfortable and, honestly, embarrassing during public situations.
It took me a few years to finally give up Secret and fully embrace natural deodorant, and I couldn’t be happier with the decision. However, if I had known then what I know now, it wouldn’t have taken me nearly as long.
What’s the Real Difference Between Antiperspirant and Deodorant?
Before diving deeper into the world of natural deodorants, it’s important to clear up some confusion. "Antiperspirants and deodorants operate differently when it comes to managing body odor," explains Aragona Giuseppe, MD, GP, and medical advisor at Prescription Doctor. "To put it simply, an antiperspirant contains aluminum, which works to block sweat from leaving your body, preventing odor and keeping you dry. On the other hand, deodorants don’t stop perspiration but instead mask the smell of your natural body odor."
Although there is no proof that aluminum in deodorants harms your health, prolonged use may create a dependence on the product, according to Suzannah Raff, founder of the natural deodorant brand Cleo + Coco.
The Importance of Sweating
Dr. Giuseppe explains, "Without sweat, the body struggles to regulate its temperature, which can lead to overheating. We have three million eccrine and apocrine sweat glands, so a little extra sweat is actually beneficial. It’s what our bodies are designed to do."
While you may link sweat with odor, it’s not sweat that smells. "The smell actually comes from bacteria that thrive on sweat. Aluminum is effective in its job of blocking sweat, but it works by clogging your sweat glands," Dr. Giuseppe explains. "When you switch from an antiperspirant to a deodorant, you’re removing the aluminum and releasing the waste that was previously trapped. This natural process is part of your body’s mechanisms, but it might lead to some unfamiliar body odor at first. So, when you start using natural deodorant, it’s not that it isn’t working—it’s your body working naturally!"
The Adjustment Period
This phase of adjustment is completely normal and quite common, although it can feel uncomfortable. Dr. Giuseppe recommends giving your body enough time to adapt.
"It typically takes about three to four weeks for the body to settle into the transition; for some, it may take less time. I’d advise giving yourself roughly a month to experience symptoms like excess sweating and moisture," he suggests.
How to Manage Side Effects
If you need a little extra help during your transition, Raff recommends using charcoal soap to cleanse your underarms. Alternatively, you can apply an underarm mask made of bentonite clay and vinegar to help speed up the adjustment process.
What to Seek in a Natural Deodorant
As Raff explains, picking a good natural deodorant is similar to switching to a whole foods diet. Aim to avoid products with overly long ingredient lists when possible. A useful resource is EWG.org, which offers "clean" ratings for over 120,000 food and personal care items.
"Look for natural, active ingredients that effectively combat and neutralize underarm odor, such as kaolin clay, eucalyptus, and saccharomyces ferment," advises Dr. Giuseppe. Additionally, ingredients with antibacterial properties, like tea tree oil and coconut oil, are key.
Ingredients such as witch hazel, shea butter, and beeswax offer soothing properties that help with razor burn and can also aid in minimizing pores. "Other beneficial ingredients include creamy, soothing ones like coconut oil and vegetable powders that absorb moisture," says Raff.
What to Stay Away From in a Natural Deodorant
Just because a product claims to be "all natural" doesn’t guarantee that its ingredients will create a healthy environment for your underarms. "Some may contain synthetic fragrances, which can be hormone-disrupting chemicals, and hidden preservatives like phthalates, which we try to avoid," explains Raff. "Cleo+Coco only uses essential oils for fragrance. This type of natural deodorant helps neutralize and eliminate odor while supporting your body’s natural sweat process."
Water, alcohol, and glycerine should also raise concerns. "These are just fillers, which means fewer active ingredients to fight odor. These fillers can also introduce bacteria, leading to the need for preservatives, which no longer make the product natural," Raff notes.
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