Natural Deodorant vs Antiperspirant - The Great Debate

Nobody wants to be that guy that smells funky out in public, or even in the comfort of their own home when friends or family stop by. But, nobody wants to put their skin or their overall health in harm's way, either.

Unfortunately, it seems like you have to choose between one or the other with modern deodorants and antiperspirants. These are loaded with sketchy ingredients like aluminum, parabens, and other synthetic chemicals.

While these do work to stop you from sweating, they come at a cost. The unnatural fragrance can be really offputting, too. That’s why more and more people are comparing natural deodorant vs antiperspirant and making the switch. 

Natural deodorant doesn’t stop you from sweating - which is actually by design. This is your body’s natural detoxification system, after all. Instead, it fights odor-causing bacteria head-on and uses natural essential oils to keep you smelling fresh all day long.

Learn more about the differences between natural deodorant vs regular antiperspirant below, including what makes our natural deodorant for men the #1 choice online! First, let’s highlight the problem with antiperspirants. 

The Problem With Antiperspirant

Antiperspirants contain ingredients that stop you from sweating, which is where the name comes from. The number one ingredient used for this is aluminum. This is where the problems with antiperspirants lie.

Researchers have been trying to link exposure to aluminum to an increased likelihood of Alzheimer’s disease for decades. There has yet to be a proper study conducted on this though, even though it has been a theory since the 70s & 80s.

Exposure to aluminum is also thought to be linked to an increased probability of breast cancer. Primarily due to the zones of the breast being more likely to develop cancer issues being closest to the armpits, and therefore more exposed to aluminum via skin absorption & nicks in the skin absorbing aluminum from antiperspirants. This has also yet to be proven.

That said, there is a huge movement away from traditional antiperspirants and deodorants and towards natural deodorants. If you look at the ingredients on a can of spray deo (axe / lynx) the number one ingredient is alcohol, and the next three ingredients which are listed based on quantities contained, are all forms of propane and butane. 

I’m not a chemist, but I certainly don’t want that absorbed into my skin. And although the links to Alzheimer’s and cancer have yet to be proven, do you really want to take any chances?

These risks aside, antiperspirant interrupts your body’s natural detoxification system. Sure, sweating can be uncomfortable - but it helps you get rid of toxins. You don’t want to block this mechanism, rather, you want to stop the byproduct (sweat) from stinking so bad.

That’s where natural deodorant comes in.

Natural Deodorant vs Regular Antiperspirant: What’s the Difference?

Before we compare and contrast natural deodorant vs regular antiperspirant, let’s take a step back and talk about sweat. 

On its own, sweat isn’t what causes body odor. Rather, it’s caused by the bacteria that feed on the fats within sweat. They quickly accumulate, feed, and give off bad smells. 

This is where you’ll notice a dramatic difference between natural deodorant vs antiperspirant. Rather than stopping the body from sweating, which we have established is an important bodily process, natural deodorant fights the odor-causing bacteria that congregate in the armpits. 

Let’s use our natural, handmade deodorant as an example to show you just how different it is from antiperspirant. 

We use a combination of liquid and solid coconut oils (naturally anti bacterial), and magnesium hydroxide which primarily comes from seawater and often used in antacids as well as natural deodorants.

The remaining ingredients are as follows:

• Shea Butter: Moisturises and conditions your skin and also has anti-inflammatory and healing properties. There is a reason why it is used so widely in moisturisers (and why we include so much of it in our soaps)
• Arrowroot powder: Plant-derived powder that has great absorptive qualities and keeps you feeling dry.
• Candelilla Wax: This is a naturally occurring plant wax that we use to create a firmer deodorant. It’s worth noting that we don’t use any stabilisers so the consistency will vary depending on the ambient temperature at which it is stored… if it is too firm, hold it to your skin for ten seconds and it will begin to melt and glide much smoother. I do this every time before applying. 
• Kaolin Clay: This is used to help anchor the scent in the essential oils, and also has great cleansing properties for your skin, it clears the skin of excess oils, drawing out dirt and toxins from your pores.
• Vitamin E oil: A naturally occurring oil with many benefits for skin, including wound healing from shaving, treating irritated skin, and it also has great preservative qualities.
• Activated Charcoal: Helps cleans skin and unclog pores.
• Essential oils: Our proprietary blends of essential oils used in our soaps, are also used to add scent to our deodorants though some have been slightly modified due to the fact that a deo is a leave-on product, whereas soap is a wash-off product. Many essential oils also have beneficial effects on your skin.

So why make the switch to natural deodorant? Personally, I’ve made the choice to switch to more natural products because I want my skin to absorb fewer chemicals, fewer things that may cause issues down the road. 

The easiest way to do this is to switch to 100% natural products. Because, it’s an option now, so why not? They are just as effective once you get used to them, and probably better for your skin. 

So as we wrap up this comparison of natural deodorant vs regular, take the next step at The Black Stuff.

Protect Your Skin Without Worrying About How You Smell - Upgrade Your Grooming at The Black Stuff!

Our brand was born when I decided to start making my own men's soaps in my kitchen after being fed up with commercial, mass-produced options that caused more harm than good. I took the same philosophy and applied it to deodorant. 

Since then, The Black Stuff has blossomed into a worldwide movement with more than 50,000 happy customers and counting. Our aluminum-free deodorant for men is free from any of the sketchy stuff found in traditional antiperspirants. 

So, you can stay confident all day, knowing you’re using a product that’s as good for your body as it is for keeping you smelling great. We have so many great scents to choose from, too.

Our lavender natural deodorant offers a calming yet refreshing scent as we’ve blended soothing lavender with a hint of sweet orange for a light, fresh fragrance that’s perfect for everyday use. 

If you’re looking for something more outdoorsy, our pine deodorant delivers an earthy, invigorating blend of pine, spearmint, and basil, reminiscent of a deep, calming forest.

For those who prefer a brighter, energizing scent, our citrus-scented deodorant combines orange, lemon, cedarwood, and peppermint for a clean, zesty fragrance that lifts your mood and keeps you feeling revitalized. 

If you want something more unique, our Irish deodorant is an earthy, long-lasting scent with a mix of lemongrass, clary sage, and lavender. This scent will transport you to a green countryside after fresh rainfall. 

These are just a few of our most popular scents, so explore our catalog and see what catches your eye. Through our first-scent guarantee, you can confidently place your order knowing we’ll make it right if you’re less than satisfied. 

Bringing Our Natural Deodorant vs Antiperspirant Comparison to a Close

In comparing natural deodorant vs regular antiperspirant, it’s clear that there are striking differences. While antiperspirants block sweat, natural deodorants allow your body to function naturally, eliminating odor without harsh chemicals.

As we wrap up our guide to natural deodorant vs antiperspirant, we invite you to learn more about how to use natural deodorant in our blog while you await the arrival of your order. We’ll get it shipped your way fast so you can start reaping the benefits ASAP.

With The Black Stuff, you’ll never have to choose between odor control and skin health. Try one of our signature scents and experience the best mens soap & deodorant that works with your body, keeping you fresh without any harsh chemicals!