Transitioning to natural deodorant can be a hassle, especially if you've never done it before! This guide will help you successfully get you off of toxic antiperspirants and onto natural deodorants even in the sweatiest months.
For many who don't know my story, I actually suffered with excessive sweating to the point I would sweat through sweatshirts even with antiperspirant on. It was so embarrassing and I highly considered botox for my underarms. Thankfully at the time I was deathly afraid of needles so I never did but it sent me down a path of researching why this happens to people.
For me, I realized my body was sending me a signal. Sweat is one of the main detox pathways in our body - it helps remove toxins from the body and when we try to stop that through antiperspirants it can make things worse. This changed my perspective on sweating completely - I WANTED to sweat but not this much and also not smell, so what do I do?
Our lymphatic system is like our internal filter and many lymph nodes are located around the breast and armpit area. When we stop perspiration, it can back these toxins up into our breast tissue which is dangerous long term. The smell can come from what we eat, like ultra processed foods, greasy food, fried food and even healthy foods like onions, garlic etc. What goes in must come out, but thats what deodorant is for in those cases. Smelly sweat can also be bacteria under the arms that needs to be cleaned better or it can be hormonal (hence why pregnant women tend to smell a little stronger) - so figuring out which you may be dealing with can help determine how to resolve it.
If you are someone who has been on antiperspirants for years, it may be helpful to start with a lymphatic detox supplement. Our Zuma Lymphatic Detox naturally and gently stimulates lymph so our bodies can push out toxins better as we transition to a natural deodorant. You can definitely use this simultaneously with a clean deodorant.
If you already are used to natural deodorants but feel in the summer you need a little extra help keeping the smell away you can try an underarm mask. This is usually done with a bentonite clay, a little apple cider vinegar and water, mix into a paste and lather onto your armpits for 10 minutes a night for 7-10 days. You can also opt for charcoal based products like our Rustic Maka underarm bar. Just simply wash with this daily to keep scent at bay and its amazing for acne prone skin. You can pair this with a charcoal exfoliant to rid your underarms for dead skin and leave them feeling fresh and smooth.
Next is choosing the right deodorant for you. Since we have so many here is a short cheat sheet.
Rustic Maka is our baking soda free line. Baking soda can help keep you dry but some people have found it can cause them irritation under the arms especially if you are more sensitive. This line has been a fan favorite with really amazing scents and 24 hour protection.
Nala is our baking soda line so they are considered extra strength. They have great scents and are definitely perfect for more sweaty people who aren't sensitive to baking soda.
Cleo+Coco is also a baking soda based deodorant and also comes in a spray deodorant option as well. They are considered extra strength and can be paired with their body + hair powders to keep dry on the go.
Our Kinfield brand released a fan favorite deodorant for active lifestyles. It is a baking soda free formula but has PH-balancing fruit enzymes for those of us who are smellier from working out or being active. It's a great gender-neutral scent perfect for anyone looking to switch.
Once you pick the right deodorant it can take from 4-8 weeks to fully be detoxed from toxic antiperspirants so definitely stick with it!
