If you follow me on Instagram, you've probably seen many posts lately about all of the chemicals in our self-care products. I know that we don't have unlimited budgets, so we have to make a lot of these changes slowly. But if I had to pick one swap you need to make immediately, it's your deodorant.
Firstly, let me point out that sweating is healthy. It's our body's way of secreting toxins, supporting proper immune function and acts as a self-cooling system.
Mainstream deodorants like Secret, Dove, Degree, etc not only have lots of harmful chemicals which are known carcinogens, but they also have Aluminum in them, which has been shown to cause many health issues including kidney problems and has been linked to Alzheimer's Disease. It also interferes with your estrogen levels, which puts you at a higher risk for breast and prostate cancer. Many deodorants also have parabens, which act as estrogen in your body and can again disrupt your hormonal balances. Other scary ingredients that might be lurking in your deodorant include TEA (Triethanolamine) and DEA (diethanolamine), which are banned in Europe because they are known carcinogens.What's worse is that many "natural" deodorants still have some of those ingredients above.
Remember, if you wouldn't eat it, you shouldn't put it on your skin! That being said, I don't want to pump my body full of chemicals, but I also don't want to stink or have sweat stains on my shirts. And I'm assuming you feel the same.
I have spent the last two months trying out TONS of natural and chemical-free deodorants. I'm excited to share with you my top 4 picks. Please keep in mind that we all have different chemistry, so what works for one person may be different than what works for you. But if you're seeking a top-performing product without sacrificing your health, this is a great place to start. I like all of these for different reasons, which I'll highlight below.
Some of the brands listed below sent me product samples to try. Some have also kindly offered a discount code so that you can try them too! Please note I have no affiliation with any of these brands, but I highly recommend supporting businesses like these who are committed to producing high-quality and safe products for us!
In no particular order...
Favorite scent: Jasmine
Lasts on me: Approximately 6-8 hours
Cost: $15 for a 2oz jar (use code HOLISTIC25 For 25% off all deodorants)
This deodorant balm smells SO good... like I wish I could eat it (don't worry, I didn't- but technically I could because the ingredients are so clean... just sayin). Plus, out of all the deodorants I tried, I could use the least amount of this one while still being effective. It's made with organic ingredients and essential oils, so it's super clean. And it gets better- this is a small company out of Lafayette, LA and they bottle their products in glass and get their labels from an eco-conscious company. So you're not only helping your health, but supporting a small business and being environmentally conscious!
Favorite scent: Coconut Vanilla
Lasts on me: Approximately 8-10 hours
Cost: $16 for a 2.5 oz jar (use code HALEY25 for 25% off one purchase)
This one lasted the longest for me! I wore it all day at work and went to a barre class after work. I find that a lot of natural deodorants help with odor but don't always help with perspiration- this one was an excellent antiperspirant, so I'd highly recommend this if you naturally sweat more than the average person (remember-sweating is good for you!!). This is another small business in Austin and Houston, so when you support them you are supporting our local economy!
Favorite scent: Citrus
Lasts on me: Approximately 6 hours
Cost: $16 for 2oz jar
This is a great one if you have sensitive skin, because it's baking soda free (which can irritate some people). I also like this one because it's the only one I've tried that has charcoal in it, which is a natural detoxifier. Because of the charcoal, it is darker in color so if you have very fair skin you'll want to make sure to rub it in really well!
and last but most certainly not least...
Favorite scent: Lemongrass
Lasts on me: Approximately 8-10 hours
Cost: $10 for 2.65oz tube (use code HALEY10 for 10% off)
I firstly liked this one because it's the only roll-on tube - my other favorites are creams (which doesn't necessarily bother me, but the tube is certainly convenient). They have a huge product selection with a ton of different scents and 3 different strengths. They even have a custom scent option! The Extra Strength lasted pretty much all day for me, and the Regular was about 6-8 hours. They are also very cost-effective compared to most natural deodorants. Bonus- they are relocating their HQ from Brooklyn to Dallas, TX, so again you'll be supporting the Texas economy by shopping with them!
Keep in mind, when switching to aluminum-free deodorants, you'll have to apply more often than you did with your old deodorant. Just keep the tube/jar in your purse, desk drawer, gym bag, etc- I promise the health benefits of using a clean deodorant far outweigh having to reapply your deo. :)
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XO
Haley