Does natural deodorant work?
It certainly does, says The Kit’s editor-at-large, but you might have the wrong idea about what it’s intended to achieve
I’ve heard a lot of talk about natural deodorant and I’m tempted to switch, but I’m worried it won’t work. I don’t want to waste money buying something that will only end up causing me embarrassment (because of body odour). Have you tried it? What’s the best way to start? — Vanessa, Oakville
We’re all trying to muddle through the recent lavalike temperatures. My phone has begun switching itself off if I leave it in the sun for a few minutes, something I often wish I could do instead of cowering in the meagre shade of a tree during a backyard party.
We don’t have the luxury of simply powering off, however; we have no choice but to power through and do our best to enjoy our sweaty summer lives.
From puberty until I reached about 30 years of age, I coped with the heat by applying a liberal dose of antiperspirant, like most people. Then, I got pregnant and both my body chemistry and perspective changed. I grew, quite honestly, stinkier with the addition of hormones and also more concerned about the aluminum chloride used in many products. So I sought a more natural alternative — and I remain hooked.
“Deodorant is often an entry-level product for those looking to explore natural options,” says Mary Futher, founder of Kaia Naturals. “It’s probably
because we all use it 365 days a year and apply it onto such a sensitive area.”
Futher kicked off her Toronto company with eco face wipes as the hero product, but quickly began working on a formula for natural deodorant because she was concerned about the ingredients in traditional offerings. But one of the main differences between natural deodorants and oldschool antiperspirants isn’t the ingredients, Futher posits. It’s the way they function: “The role of deodorant is to keep you from smelling. The role of antiperspirant is to keep you from sweating; antiperspirants form a gel and plug your pores to actually prevent you from perspiring.”
So that’s the first psychological hurdle you’re going to have to leap over when making the switch: you’re going to be a little damp. “Initially, I was afraid to tell people they would still sweat because I thought they’d get grossed out,” Futher says. But increasingly, we’re embracing the notion that sweating is an important bodily function that helps us both eliminate toxins and keep cool. “I understand, though, that you certainly don’t want to smell, and you
don’t want to feel clammy.”
Most deodorants add powders to their formulations to help absorb excess moisture and keep you feeling as dry as possible. Futher prefers arrowroot powder, while other brands lean on cornstarch or baking soda (the latter of which also helps battle odour but is sometimes criticized for being too alkaline for sensitive underarm skin. The only way to know is to try it — just not on freshly shaved skin).
Now the next — and major — issue to tackle is odour. It’s vital to know that sweat itself is odourless; it’s the bacteria that thrives in the dampand-darkness of your pits that actually smells. Natural deodorants use a variety of methods to remove that bacteria. Kaia Naturals, for example, uses charcoal and probiotics to stave off bacteria, while industry heavyweight Schmidt’s uses the aforementioned baking soda.
Other brands use salts, essential oils and coconut oil to limit odour.
Which is best? I wish I could tell you with total certainty. “Some work for some people and some don’t, whether you’re talking about natural products or antiperspirants,” Futher says. “You won’t ever have a 100 per cent success rate, so there is likely going to be trial and error until you find what grooves with your body chemistry. And even then, it might change: I’m going through menopause, for instance, so I’m sweating more than I ever have in my life. My concerns are different now than they were a few years ago.” (Futher mentions that, after applying deodorant, she sometimes uses a powder puff to apply a little extra arrowroot powder to help absorb extra moisture and keep her comfortable. Cornstarch would do the trick, as well.)
There is a lot of debate about whether your body detoxes or experiences a transition period while you wean off antiperspirant. “You can expect a skin detox, because you’ve been plugging your pores and all that stuff has to go somewhere,” Futher says. What does that mean in real terms? You might have a flush of smell-inducing bacteria and you might sweat a bit more at first. (I didn’t experience these symptoms when switching, but everyone is different.) “A lot of people don’t expect a transition period and they just blame the natural product for increased odour, when in fact, it’s just the effect of not using antiperspirant anymore,” Futher says.
Give it a few weeks and your body will adapt, she explains. In the meantime, to avoid any body odour, make sure to wash your armpits carefully in the shower, dry the skin fully and wear loose-fitting natural fibres.
Switching to natural deodorant may seem like a little extra work, but I recommend it.
Send your pressing fashion and beauty questions to Kathryn at ask@thekit.ca.