In recent years, the importance of using a natural deodorant has been a lot more prevalent. More so than 10 years ago, when it was not common for someone to be using a natural deodorant, let alone see one on the store shelf. It’s been promising to see, in the recent years, the significant shift towards natural, more healthy products in our everyday lives - from the foods we eat to the personal care products we apply to our skin. And this includes deodorant. Deodorant is a product every single person probably applies to their underarms - a very intimate part of their body - as least one time a day. And the importance of natural deodorant is a topic I’ve become very passionate about!

First - let’s break down the difference between a deodorant and an antiperspirant.

• Deodorant is designed to control odor and still allows your body to sweat naturally, which is a critical bodily function to detox and regulate your temperature. It’s healthy to sweat! Deodorant is a great option for those who want to avoid harmful chemicals.

• Antiperspirant is designed to reduce sweating itself and uses aluminum compounds to prevent sweat from reaching the skin’s surface. These will keep you dry, but also prevent your body from naturally detoxifying when it sweats, trapping the bacteria in your underarms.

The serious health concerns around the aluminum in antiperspirants have led many to prefer natural deodorants over antiperspirants. Studies suggest a possible link between aluminum and health issues such as breast cancer. 1 in 20 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. And less than 10% is genetically linked. Environmental factors, including environmental toxins we apply to our bodies, plays a role.

Now, there is sometimes a misconception that natural deodorant doesn’t work. But, I don’t think that is true. I honestly feel like there are so many more clean brands out there now and that the clean products keep getting better and better. Sometimes it’s just about finding them!! If you are looking for a great deodorant to try, when I first tested several brands in 2018 when I was making the switch, I tried the brand Primally Pure and quickly fell in love. It’s one of my top recommendations when I talk to someone about using a natural deodorant. It smells nice, applies smoothly and works really well. My favorite is the Blue Tansy, and the Charcoal and Geranium are close behind. You really cannot go wrong with any of them! I have a referral code URBANAPRON10 that will save you 10% off your order, too.

If you are thinking about making the switch to a natural deodorant, but have not yet. I want to list out the reasons why everyone needs to make the switch today. And why switching to a natural deodorant is a game changer.

Reasons to switch to a natural deodorant:

1. You will avoid harmful chemicals. This is the major reason I switched! Conventional deodorants and anti-perspirants at the store often contain a cocktail of chemicals that will prevent your body from sweating and mask any odor. Chemicals such as aluminum compounds (used in anti-perspirants to block sweat glands and linked to breast cancer), parabens (mimic estrogen and has been detected in breast cancer tissue) and phthalates (help fragrance last longer and can disrupt our endocrine function). Switching to a natural deodorant reduces your exposes to all of those chemicals, and that is enough reason for me to switch! Especially since you apply your deodorant every single day for pretty much your entire lifetime. One way to see if the deodorant you are wearing is safe is to download the EWG healthy living app, and you can scan any product and see it’s safety rating. EWG Verified is a great seal of safety to look for, too.

2. Gentle on your skin. Most conventional deodorants use ingredients that irritate skin, oftentimes causing it to be red or itch. Natural deodorants use more soothing ingredients and this also helps maintain healthier skin!

3. It’s a more eco-friendly choice. Most natural deodorant brands also prioritize sustainability in their product formulations and packaging. Oftentimes they use packaging that can be recycled or is compostable. Opting for natural brands that also are more sustainable helps our earth, as well as your health. You can usually find a brand’s mission and sustainability goals on their website. Being a B Corporation is also a great sign!

4. Supporting Transparent Brands. Every time we shop for a product, we are voting with our wallet and telling the market what we want. I have been advocating for 6 years with the brand Beautycounter and I have seen first hand how a market can shift if the consumers demand it. If we all buy natural deodorant that is transparent over the traditional harmful stuff, the big companies will have no choice but to change in order to sell their product. The personal care industry is full of secrets and there are products on the store shelf that are harmful to our health and most Americans have no idea. Supporting safe and natural brands is a step in the right direction to demanding better. When you purchase from a brand that prioritizes your health, you are also making a choice that may align with your own values. It feels really good to support brands who care about us.

TIPS IN MAKING THE SWITCH

When you switch to a natural deodorant, my biggest tip is to give it time!! It can take 7-14 days for your body to detox and get used to it. In this detox period, you may experience more sweating or odor - that is your body detoxifying!!! Also drink plenty of water to help flush out the toxins from your body as it detoxes. You can also reapply the natural deodorants as needed throughout the day. Sometimes I find I need to apply it again in the afternoon. Especially at the beginning when you are just starting out on using a natural deodorant.

Trust me, after you get past the detox period, you will be so happy you stuck it out and you can feel better each day knowing you are not applying harmful chemicals to your body. It’s a great healthy swap!!!

And share with others! If you try Primally Pure or find another brand you love, tell others about it! Switching to safe products takes a village and the more we share and the more we all know about these issues, the healthier we all are! Keep spreading the word! It can truly be a game changer for your skin and your health.

And if you switch, reach out and let me know how it goes! You can connect on Instagram here.

xx,

Anna