How Long Does it Take for Natural Deodorant to Work?

The secret is out - natural deodorant is a far better option for men who prioritize their health and want to avoid the harmful consequences of aluminum-based antiperspirants.

But let’s address the elephant in the room - natural deodorant takes time to start working to the fullest. In the interim, your body is detoxing the toxic build-up in your armpits as a result of clogging those pores with aluminum for years on end, if not decades.

This begs the question, how long does it take for natural deodorant to work? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on how long you used traditional antiperspirants, diet, hydration, and so many other factors.

We’ll walk you through what you can expect during the adjustment phase, from the first few days to weeks 2-4. Most men find themselves well-adapted within a month or less. Don’t stress about stinking in the meantime. We’ll share tips to help you overcome this issue.

The best thing you can do to speed up how long for natural deodorant to work is start with the right product. The Black Stuff is your one-stop shop for gentle men’s grooming products. Begin this journey on the right foot with the best men’s natural deodorants today!

What is Natural Deodorant?

Natural deodorant is exactly what it sounds like: a smarter, healthier alternative to the mass-produced, chemical-laden options you’ve been slapping on for years. You’ll notice stark differences in comparing natural deodorant vs antiperspirant.

Unlike traditional deodorants and antiperspirants, there are no synthetic additives here - just clean, plant-based ingredients from Mother Nature to control odor and care for your skin. 

That means no aluminum, parabens, and artificial fragrances that compromise skin health and could be linked to more concerning long-term health complications. Instead, you’ll find ingredients like baking soda, magnesium hydroxide, and essential oils to get the job done.

These ingredients work by neutralizing odor-causing bacteria and killing it at the source. After all, it’s not sweat itself that stinks - but bacteria on the skin interacting with sweat. 

The truth is, sweating is healthy. This is how your body detoxes. But, traditional deodorants and antiperspirants block your sweat glands and disrupt that natural detox process.

The benefits of aluminum-free deodorant are undeniable, which is why more and more men are biting the bullet and making the switch. However, you may have heard horror stories of guys switching and finding that their natural deodorant simply doesn’t work.

Is there any truth to these tales? For sure. There is an adjustment period with natural deodorant as you’re essentially opening the floodgates on your clogged armpits, letting out a sea of toxins that have been pent up. That’s where the misconception comes from.

The good news, though, is this is a temporary phase. On the other side of it, you’ll be glad you stayed patient and weathered the storm. But, how long does it take for natural deodorant to work?

How Long Does it Take for Natural Deodorant to Work?

Like we said, it’s tough to tell you with any level of certainty how long for natural deodorant to work. It’s an individualized experience. In general, though, how long does it take for natural deodorant to work? Here’s what you can expect over the first days and the weeks that follow:

The First Few Days

The first thing you’ll notice is that you’re sweating more than usual. As we touched on already, this is perfectly normal - in fact, it’s a good thing! 

Your body is getting used to no longer having aluminum blocking your sweat glands. It’s your pores’ first chance to breathe in who knows how long. But with this extra sweat comes a distinct odor, one that might be more pungent than you’re used to.

This is where so many guys start freaking out and return to their traditional deodorant/antiperspirant. The irony is that this is what’s actually causing that unmistakable stench!

Your body is going through an intense detoxification process right now, purging the built-up toxins and bacteria from your underarms. It’s not exactly pleasant, but it’s temporary - and 100% necessary. 

One to Two Weeks

After a week your body is probably just about done detoxifying and you might notice yourself sweating a bit less than the initial few days - albeit more than with a traditional antiperspirant. Remember, the goal is not to stop sweating, but rather, to control odor-causing bacteria.

At this point, your natural deodorant is kicking in, neutralizing bacteria and letting your skin recover from years of chemical exposure. You might need to reapply your deodorant during the day to stay fresh, but that’s normal at this stage.

Three to Four Weeks

So, how long does it take for natural deodorant to work? Within 3-4 weeks the detox period should be all wrapped up and hopefully, you have fully adapted. Sweating levels out, and odor is minimal, if noticeable at all. 

Perhaps most importantly, your underarm skin will also feel healthier - hydrated, softer, and free of irritation. You’ll be glad you stuck through the detox period, and you’ll wish you’d started sooner!

Factors That Prolong or Shorten the Adjustment Period

Now, not everyone needs a full 3-4 weeks to fully adjust to natural deodorant. Similarly, some guys might find that the intense sweating from first making the switch can last up to a week or longer. Here are a few moving pieces that influence how long for natural deodorant to work:

• Previous Antiperspirant Use: The longer you’ve been using antiperspirants, the more your body might need time to adjust.
• Diet and Hydration: What you eat and drink plays a role. A healthy diet and proper hydration can help speed up the detox process. We’ll talk more about this in a moment.
• Skin Type: Sensitive or dry skin may take longer to adjust, especially if it reacts to certain natural deodorant ingredients. You may find that you need to try different solutions if your first option irritates your skin.
• Activity Level: If you’re hitting the gym regularly or working a physical job, the detox period might feel more intense due to increased sweat production. This is a double edged sword, though - the more you sweat, the faster you’ll detox all those impurities built up in your pits.

The key takeaway we want you to have from this conversation is that patience is a virtue, and the wait is well worth it. But, that doesn’t mean you need to suffer through it - we’ve got some tips on making the adjustment period more comfortable and quicker!

Tips on Speeding Up the Adjustment Phase and Making the Most of Natural Deodorant

We have a more detailed guide on how to transition to aluminum-free deodorant that we highly encourage you to read if you’re serious about making the switch. In the meantime, here are some quick hits to help you streamline this journey: 

Start With a Gradual Transition on Low-Stakes Days

Who said you had to quit antiperspirant cold turkey? You can be a bit more strategic and ease into this transition if you’re stressing about smelling. 

For example, you could wait until the weekend to give yourself a few days to detox before heading to work on Monday. You could also alternate between your old antiperspirant and the natural option for a few days to give your body time to adjust without added stress.

Just be aware that at a certain point, you do need to just get through the detox phase. The longer you continue using your antiperspirant, the longer it will take to adapt.

Always Apply to Clean, Dry Skin

Remember, it’s bacteria responsible for causing odors - which is why natural deodorant should be applied to clean, dry skin. 

You might find that you need to shower multiple times a day during this phase, or at least wash under your arms with our organic men's soap bar throughout the day.

Don’t rush to apply deodorant straight out of the shower, either. Let your pits dry completely, as any residual moisture can interfere with the product’s ability to do its job and leave you feeling less fresh than you’d like.

Use Antibacterial Soap

How you cleanse yourself matters, too. We keep referencing the bacteria that causes odor for a reason - the goal is to kill any unwanted microbial activity in your armpits. 

This is where the benefits of natural soap come in to save the day. These give your natural deodorant the upper hand by keeping bacteria levels in check. 

Look for soaps with ingredients like tea tree oil or eucalyptus for extra freshness. In case you weren’t aware, we have the best soap for men here at The Black Stuff.

Less is More With Natural Deodorant

It’s also important that you know how to use natural deodorant. It sounds simple, but there’s a bit more to it than traditional alternatives. It’s more concentrated than its commercial counterparts, so a little goes a long way. A couple of swipes is plenty.

In fact, overapplying can lead to sticky underarms and product buildup, which nobody wants. You might need to warm the deodorant in your hands before applying if it’s not gliding on easily.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking plenty of water is important in general, but more than ever as your body is detoxing. This helps flush out toxins, regulate your sweat, and minimize odor during the adjustment period. Aim for at least 8-12 glasses of water a day, ideally, infused with electrolytes.

Try an Armpit Mask

Another way you can enhance the detoxification process is by using an armpit mask, which takes a more proactive approach in drawing impurities out of your skin directly, speeding this up.

It sounds strange, but it can shave days off that initial detox process where you smell worse than normal. Use ingredients like bentonite clay and activated charcoal on day one and every few days after that until you’re happy with how you smell.

Wear Breathable Fabrics

Switching to natural deodorant is a great excuse to re-evaluate your wardrobe. After all, some of your favorite shirts are probably stained by aluminum at this point anyway!

We recommend cotton or moisture-wicking fabrics that let your skin breathe. This will keep you more comfortable and reduce odor as your body continues to adjust.

Mind Your Diet

Believe it or not, what you eat directly impacts how you smell. Strong-smelling foods like garlic, onions, and spicy dishes can amplify body odor during the detox phase. So can processed foods and sugar. 

That’s why it’s best to adopt a healthier diet - this will have far-reaching effects on your life in general. Eat fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean meats to keep things under control.

Try Multiple Scents

One of the most common complaints we see surrounding natural deodorant is it just doesn’t work. This is inaccurate. The more likely explanation is you haven’t found the right scent for your unique body chemistry. 

A scent that works perfectly for one person might not mesh as well with someone else’s sweat composition. Natural deodorants rely on essential oils for fragrance, and these oils can interact differently with your skin, which means finding the right match might take some trial and error.

The good news? Here at The Black Stuff we make it easy to find the best aluminum-free deodorant for men with our First Scent Guarantee - if you’re not 100% satisfied with your first choice, we’ll work with you to find one you love. 

No hassle, no stress, just fresh results. So, why not take the next step today now that you know how long for natural deodorant to work? 

Take the Next Step and Start Your Transformation Today!

Here at The Black Stuff you gain access to handcrafted products made for men from the best ingredients nature has to offer. No gimmicks or harmful chemicals to worry about here!

From our soaps to our deos, you can expect delightful, subtle scents that earn you compliments anytime you leave the house. The deodorant works all day long so you can stay confident even in the most demanding situations.

Plus, we have a scent for everyone - whether you prefer something bold and masculine or something earthy and light. Here are a few of our most popular fragrances:

• Lavender natural deodorant: A blissful lavender and sweet orange blend that keeps things light, fresh, and irritation-free.
• Pine deodorant: Earthy and herbaceous with a combination of basil, spearmint, and pine to channel the crisp scent of the outdoors.
• Citrus scented deodorant: Bright and invigorating with orange, lemon, and rosemary, this fragrance is a refreshing boost for the modern man on-the-go.
• Irish deodorant: Inspired by the Irish countryside, as the name suggests. You’ll be greeted by a mix of lemongrass, clary sage, and lavender for an earthy vibe that lasts.

We’re the #1 Dr. Squatch deodorant alternative, and once you work through the transition phase, you’ll see why. It starts today - upgrade to handmade deodorant at The Black Stuff!

Parting Words on How Long for Natural Deodorant to Work

So, how long does it take for natural deodorant to work? As we wrap things up we want to reiterate that there is no one-size-fits-all answer for how long for natural deodorant to work.

The detoxification phase is very individualized and can range from as few as a couple of days to as many as 3-4 weeks. It depends on how long you’ve been using antiperspirant, your diet, and the other steps you take to speed up the adaptation phase.

The best thing you can do to get the ball rolling and get through the detox period, though, is set yourself up for success with the #1 natural deodorant in the world, right here at The Black Stuff. Take the first step toward better skin without compromising on how you smell!