Are all natural deodorants the same?

Unlike commercial deodorants, natural deodorant ingredients do not contain aluminium, the main ingredient that blocks sweat glands preventing perspiration. Natural deodorants contain antibacterial agents such as bicarb soda and essential oils which reduce odour caused by bacteria on the skin.

Natural deodorants have exploded in popularity over the last few years, and for good reason: they're better for your body, for animals and for the environment. They're made with ingredients you can pronounce, and don't contain any of the potentially harmful chemicals found in conventional deodorants. But when it comes to natural deodorants, there's one question that keeps coming up: are they all created equal?

The answer is no. Natural deodorants are not all made equal. In fact, there are many different kinds of natural deodorant that you should know about - and if you're using one that isn't right for your body, then it might be time to switch things up!

Why choose natural deodorant?

Most people tend to choose natural deodorants to avoid the long list of harmful chemicals found in conventional deodorants. Many deodorants are also antiperspirant deodorants. If a deodorant says it can reduce the amount of sweat or moisture (and not just odour) you produce, then it likely has aluminium based ingredients to temporarily block your pores and stop sweat from being released. A natural deodorant, however, doesn’t use aluminium, alcohol and other chemicals. Instead, natural deodorant uses plant based extracts that help with odour and moisture absorption. These include bicarb, arrowroot, coconut oil and essential oils.  

Does natural deodorant work?

Yes, it does! The best natural deodorants work just as well as their conventional counterparts. In fact, many people find that natural deodorants are more effective than antiperspirants because they don't block your sweat glands. The trick is finding one that works for you and isn't loaded with harmful chemicals.

The first thing to look at when choosing a natural deodorant is whether it has an aluminium free formula. Aluminium is used in many commercial antiperspirants because it helps block the sweat glands and keep you dry. But most experts agree that aluminium can be harmful to the body when applied topically on a daily basis over long periods of time (more than six months). So if you're concerned about what's going on beneath your armpits, look for an aluminium free option!

You'll also want to make sure your deodorant doesn't contain any ingredients that could irritate your skin or cause breakouts (like essential oils). If you have sensitive skin, look for a hypoallergenic formula tat won't cause irritation or rash.

Most people think that natural deodorants are the same as antiperspirants. But they're not. Antiperspirants use aluminium salts to block pores and reduce perspiration, while natural deodorants simply reduce odour by preventing bacteria from growing on your skin.

Finally, before buying any product, check out reviews from other customers who've tried it before.

Natural deodorant vs antiperspirant

Natural deodorant are not the same as antiperspirants.

It's important to understand the difference between natural deodorant and antiperspirants before choosing a product. Natural deodorants do not prevent sweating. They do not contain aluminium, which is found in most antiperspirants and is thought to be harmful to the body. Natural deodorants are made from a variety of ingredients, including baking soda, coconut oil, shea butter, and essential oils. In fact, many people with sensitive skin find that natural deodorants help relieve irritation by allowing them to sweat naturally. They're also less irritating than antiperspirants because they don't clog up your pores like their harsh counterparts do.

Antiperspirants contain aluminium compounds that physically block your pores, preventing sweat from coming out. Natural deodorants don't contain these compounds - they just use ingredients that help neutralise odour and absorb moisture at the same time. So when you apply them, they don't stop sweat from coming out of your pores; they simply make sure it doesn't smell bad when it does come out!

If you're looking for a natural alternative, there are plenty of aluminium free deodorants out there that don't contain aluminium salts or other chemicals that could be harmful for your health.

Can natural deodorant cause a rash

The short answer is yes. And the reason is because of the ingredients in natural deodorant.

Natural deodorants use baking soda and/or arrowroot powder as their active ingredient, which is a natural mineral salt. When you apply it to your armpits, it draws moisture from your skin, which in turn helps neutralise odour causing bacteria. Sounds great, right?

The problem is that the process of drawing moisture from your skin can also dry it out, causing irritation (especially if you have sensitive skin). And while most people won't experience any issues at all with natural deodorant, some people may notice mild irritation after using it. If this happens to you, try switching to another brand or formula until your skin adjusts to the product.

When you're looking for a deodorant that won't irritate your skin, bicarb free deodorant is the answer. We have many bicarb free deodorants, which are made with natural ingredients, including shea butter and coconut oil, so it doesn't contain any harsh chemicals that could lead to an allergic reaction.

Types of natural deodorants 

Roll on 

A natural deodorant roll on is a liquid based deodorant that has a roller for application. A natural roll on deodorant uses coconut oil and other antimicrobial ingredients. These ingredients help to neutralise bacteria produced from sweat which contributes to body odour.

Are you looking for natural men’s deodorant? A good men’s deodorant is the Earth’s purities natural liquid roll on for him – this deodorant has organic coconut oil and jojoba for a nourishing deodorant. None of these natural roll-ons or deodorant stick options will block pores or prevent your body from releasing toxins.  

Deodorant paste 

A deodorant paste works like a regular deodorant in keeping you dry, yet unlike an aluminium based deodorant they don’t block sweat glands. Natural deodorant with charcoal, tapioca starch, diatomaceous earth, kaolin and bentonite clay absorbs moisture before it has a chance to breed bacteria causing an odour. If you are keen to try a deodorant paste, Black Chicken Deodorant paste is a must have. This was one of the first deodorant pastes developed and we call it 'the original' deodorant paste. It is available in a mini size, if you want to sample it first. The Black Chicken Axilla deodorant paste is available in two types: the original and the barrier booster which is bicarb free and more suitable for sensitive skin types.

Deodorant stick

If you like the idea of deodorant paste, but don't want to stick your fingers in a jar, Woohoo Deodorant has deodorant stick options for you. Woohoo deodorant is one of our favourite brands for natural deodorants that really work. A natural deodorant stick is essentially a deodorant paste but in easy-to-use stick formula. We love the Woohoo deodorant stick in Wild for those wanting a stronger natural deodorant. This Woohoo deodorant is great for the gym or warmer days.  

Deodorant spray 

Usually containing witch hazel and essential oils, a deodorant spray will help to reduce odour in the same way as a roll on. The benefit of using a spray is that the application is easy and hygienic. It is a good option to keep in your handbag or gym bag for a quick spritz to keep you smelling fresh without touching the bacteria on the skin. Natural sprays are more difficult to find and most deodorant sprays will, more often than not (especially supermarket brands) contain aluminium and we know that aluminium is not good for us as it blocks the sweat glands trapping the bacteria in your armpits. We love the Noosa Basics Deodorant Spray range as they’re all entirely bicarb free and chemical free, and they all smell amazing.  

​Bicarb free deodorants  

If you find your natural deodorant causing rash, you may be sensitive to the sodium bicarbonate. While natural deodorants are gentler than aluminium based antiperspirant’s, bicarb soda and some essential oils can cause a natural deodorant armpit rash in those with highly sensitive and reactive skin. If you find that a natural deodorant still irritates your underarms, a bicarb free deodorant  is the perfect option to reduce moisture and odour, keeping you feeling fresh and your skin calm.

New to natural deodorants?  

If you have been using an aluminium based antiperspirant deodorant and want to make the change to natural deodorants, you will get best results by doing an armpit detox first. By continually blocking sweat glands, one of the body’s natural detox systems, you may find that when you switch to natural deodorants your perspiration rate increases exponentially while it adjusts. By detoxing first, natural deodorant brands and organic fragrances will be more effective. Natural deodorant benefits the skin by allowing it to breathe and release toxins as it was designed to do. As deodorants without aluminium are so personal and are often a bit more of an investment than the commercial brands you might be used to, ordering a few samples to find a natural deodorant that works for you is a good idea for natural newbies. 

How to remove deodorant build up

If you're suffering from the stink of deodorant build up in your pits, it might be time to detox. We know, we know: Detoxing your armpits doesn't sound like the most fun thing in the world. But trust us when we say that this one is worth it.

You've probably heard of using activated charcoal to detox your body, but did you know that it can also help with deodorant build up? The activated charcoal acts as an absorbent and pulls out any toxins and impurities (like aluminium) that have built up on your skin. It also creates a gentle exfoliation effect that helps lift off dead skin cells and create new ones so that your armpits are ready for whatever comes next (i.e., not just another day of wearing deodorant).

After you've detoxed your pits, try out some natural deodorant. It's easy to find these days, and they work great! You don't have to worry about toxins leaking into your bloodstream through your sweat glands anymore!

If you’re in the market for a quick and easy way to detox your armpits, we recommend trying out Noosa Basics charcoal deodorant. It’s natural, antibacterial and antifungal, so it’ll help get rid of any bacteria or bacteria causing substances that have built up in your armpits over time.

Final thoughts

When it comes to choosing a natural deodorant, there are a lot of options out there. With so many choices, how do you know which one to go for? If you're ready to kick traditional antiperspirants aside and try something new, check out some of the best natural deodorants in Australia!

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