Does Natural Deodorant Work?
You’ve probably started to realize the old trust antiperspirant you’ve relied on all this time could be causing more harm than good. The truth is, traditional deodorants and antiperspirants use sketchy chemicals and clog your armpit pores with aluminum.
While this stops you from sweating, the fact of the matter is that sweating is natural - and necessary. It’s how your body excretes toxins and regulates its temperature.
So, does natural deodorant work? How does natural deodorant work? Why does natural deodorant not work for some people and yet it’s the perfect solution for others? You’ve come to the right place. We’ll answer all these questions below.
The short answer is this - yes, natural deodorant works. But you need to set your expectations. Is it going to stop you from sweating? No! Rather, it kills the bacteria that make sweat smell bad. Some natural deodorants even have natural moisture-absorbing ingredients to prevent wetness.
Frankly, there’s only one way to know for sure whether or not natural deodorant will work for you - take a chance on the best aluminum free deodorant for men at The Black Stuff. After all, your order is backed by a satisfaction guarantee so you’ve got nothing to lose!
Does Natural Deodorant Work?
So does natural deodorant work? First, let’s talk a bit about the differences between natural deodorant vs regular because they are very different products.
As we touched on a bit already, traditional deodorants and antiperspirants contain aluminum, which clogs your sweat glands to stop you from sweating altogether. Problem solved, right? Sort of, but at what cost?
This throws off your body’s natural cooling and detox process, leading to trapped bacteria, irritation, and even yellow-stained shirts over time.
Plus, the vast majority of brands - even many Dr. Squatch competitors - load up with synthetic fragrances, preservatives, and questionable chemicals that can mess with your skin and overall health.
Long story short, you deserve better. But you don’t want to stink. It can feel like you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. So, does natural deodorant work as a viable alternative?
Yes. The benefits of natural deodorant are impossible to ignore. It may take some time to adjust, but once your body detoxes from years of commercial deodorant use, you’ll stay fresh all day without relying on harsh chemicals.
A better question is, how does natural deodorant work? Let’s dig into the science.
How Does Natural Deodorant Work?
The key distinction between natural deodorant and its traditional counterpart is that it works with your body’s natural detoxification rather than against it. The main mechanism it works through is killing bacteria that causes odors - so you might still sweat, but you won’t smell.
Neutralizing Odor at the Source
One of the biggest misconceptions about human health is that sweating is a bad thing, or that those who sweat profusely stink more than someone else. That couldn’t be further from the truth.
On the contrary, body odor comes from bacteria breaking down the fats and proteins in sweat. So how does natural deodorant work?
It targets odor at the source by using antibacterial ingredients like baking soda, magnesium hydroxide, and essential oils to eliminate the bacteria that cause that embarrassing BO.
Absorbing Moisture Naturally
Part of the appeal of antiperspirants is that you won’t sweat at all - which as you now know is a bad thing. Sweating is essential. But you don’t want to sweat through your shirt. Fortunately, you can enjoy the best of both worlds since some natural deodorants soak up some level of sweat.
The most common natural deodorant ingredients used for this purpose are arrowroot powder, kaolin clay, and cornstarch. These do their best to keep your underarms drier without disrupting your body’s natural processes.
Sure, you won’t get that same “completely dry” feeling of an antiperspirant, but you also won’t be trapping bacteria under your skin, leading to less irritation and long-term odor control. We think it’s a no-brainer choice!
Essential Oils and Their Antibacterial Benefits
There’s another key difference in how natural deodorant works compared to its traditional counterpart - the fragrances. While most drugstore brands use synthetic fragrances, essential oils are the name of the game with natural deodorant.
This is great because you end up smelling much more subtle and nuanced, whereas many traditional antiperspirants will have you smelling like a walking science project.
But, essential oils do more than just smell good. They’re actually great at fighting odor-causing bacteria while being gentle on the skin. Some of the most common antibacterial EOs are tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus, and peppermint.
Why Does Natural Deodorant Not Work For Some People?
The science behind how natural deodorant works is impossible to ignore, and there are countless success stories if you still have your doubts. Just read through some of our reviews here at The Black Stuff for our natural deodorant for men!
But for every happy ending with natural deodorant there’s a case of someone who felt like it just wasn’t for them and ended up going back to the dark side. So why does natural deodorant not work for some people, yet it works marvelously for others?
There’s usually an easy explanation and a subsequent way to overcome the shortcomings of natural deodorant. It could be the formula or the person. Here are some of the common culprits.
Understanding the Detox Period
First, know that natural deodorant doesn’t work overnight. It’s going to take time for your armpits to detox, and you’ll actually find that you smell worse during this stage. Some find it too much, and end up calling it quits before the deodorant even has a chance to work its magic.
So how long does it take to detox from deodorant? Give it at least two to four weeks to see the full benefits. It depends on how long you’ve been using traditional antiperspirants.
Think about it like this - your armpits are a dam, and you’ve kept them closed up for years if not decades. When you stop using aluminum-based deodorant, it’s like opening the floodgates. Out comes all those pent-up toxins, and they can smell pretty ripe.
Trust us, though, it’s worth the wait. We’ll show you how to speed up the detox period and make it more comfortable in a moment.
Ingredient Sensitivities and Skin Reactions
Sometimes, your skin just doesn’t agree with certain ingredients. Baking soda, for example, is a powerful odor-neutralizer. Unfortunately, though, it’s got a reputation for throwing off the skin’s pH balance and leading to the dreaded deodorant armpit rash for some people.
The good news is there are plenty of other formulations worth exploring. There are skin-soothing alternatives like magnesium hydroxide or kaolin clay that may be a better fit.
Improper Application
Natural deodorant isn’t like commercial roll-ons. So if you’re trying to use it the same way you have your whole life, it’s no wonder it doesn’t work the way you’d hoped!
Diet and Lifestyle Considerations
What you eat plays a big role in how you smell. Processed foods, red meat, alcohol, and excessive caffeine can all have an adverse impact on your scent.
On the flip side, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and water can help reduce it. Similarly, dehydration can make sweat more concentrated, and in turn, more pungent. So, maybe it’s not your deodorant - it’s your diet!
Not All Natural Deodorants Are Created Equal
The simple fact is that as more and more people are drawn towards natural deodorant, more brands are here for a quick buck. These guys cut corners with weak formulas that don’t have enough odor-fighting ingredients. Or, they use low-quality essential oils that wear off quickly.
The point is, you need to set yourself up for success with the right formulation from a trusted brand, like The Black Stuff. That being said, let’s share a few parting words of advice on how to make natural deodorant work for you.
Tips on Making Natural Deodorant Work For You
Our blog has a more detailed guide on how to use natural deodorant if you want the full scoop on making the most of this healthier alternative to traditional antiperspirant. But, making natural deodorant work for you actually starts with choosing the right formula.
Choose the Right Formula for Your Skin
Like we touched on earlier, some people react negatively to baking soda while others need extra odor protection from activated charcoal or magnesium.
The point is, if you’ve struggled with natural deodorant before, it’s not that natural deodorant doesn’t work. You may not have found the right match for your skin chemistry just yet!
Fortunately, you won’t have to look far for something that works for you. We take the guesswork out of switching to natural deodorant here at The Black Stuff. We craft our formulas with premium essential oils and skin-friendly ingredients for reliable odor control without irritation.
You don’t have to stress about picking the perfect scent, either. Our first scent guarantee means you can swap it out if you find it’s not right for you! Here are some of our popular fragrances:
- Lavender natural deodorant: A calming, subtly sweet blend of lavender and citrus produces a fresh yet soothing scent.
- Pine deodorant: Earthy and herbal. It combines pine, basil, and spearmint for a crisp, outdoorsy feel.
- Citrus scented deodorant: A bright, invigorating mix of orange, lemon, peppermint, and rosemary, balanced with warm cedarwood.
- Irish deodorant: A refreshing, rain-soaked blend of lemongrass, clary sage, lavender, and cypress, evokes the clean scent of nature.
There are plenty more in store for you, too. See what catches your eye and take the first step towards smelling great and protecting your personal health at the same time!
How to Use Natural Deodorant
Natural deodorant needs to be applied to clean, dry skin. Moisture can prevent absorption and lead to irritation. We also recommend warming the deodorant against your skin for a second or two before applying 2-3 light swipes per pit. A little goes a long way!
Use an Armpit Detox Mask
That detox period can be a huge sticking point for some guys. We recommend speeding the process up with an armpit detox mask on day one.
This basically pulls out the built-up toxins at a faster rate. A simple mix of bentonite clay, apple cider vinegar, and water can help draw out impurities and balance your skin’s pH.
Eat Clean
What you eat can influence how strong or unpleasant your natural scent is. Reducing processed foods, alcohol, and excess red meat while increasing water intake, fresh fruits, and leafy greens can help make your transition smoother and reduce odor. This is just good advice in general!
Stay Patient!
Does natural deodorant work overnight? Not by a long shot. It takes up to a few weeks before your body has fully detoxed, and the worst thing you could do is call it quits before the product actually has a chance to start working.
Trust the process, make small adjustments as needed, and remember - you’re making a choice that’s better for your body and your long-term health.
Closing Thoughts on How Natural Deodorant Works
So, how does natural deodorant work - and why doesn’t natural deodorant work for some individuals? As we wrap this guide up remember that the way these products work is very different from what you may be used to.
Rather than clogging your armpit pores and preventing you from sweating altogether, natural deodorant supports this natural bodily function. It focuses instead on killing that pesky odor-causing bacteria that makes you smell when you sweat.
It’s just not true that natural deodorant doesn’t work for everyone. It’s simply a matter of finding the right formula, understanding how to use it, and staying patient through the detox process, no matter how frustrating it may be.
The sooner you get started, the quicker you’ll have conquered the transition phase and be on your way to living a healthier lifestyle. So, jumpstart this journey today at The Black Stuff!
