Searching for a more natural deodorant is among the first clean beauty swaps many people make when switching to a cleaner approach to beauty and wellness. Finding one that works can sometimes be challenging. However, if you know the most beneficial ingredients that make the deodorant work for you, it will be easier to choose one!
Aluminum is one of the primary odor-blocking ingredients in traditional formulations. While it works well to block sweat glands, it has controversial side effects many people want to avoid.
With so many unique plant-based ingredients that benefit the skin and block odor, switching to more natural products is a no-brainer. Understanding the properties of natural deodorants and their benefits will make it easier for you to make a suitable choice free from potentially harmful chemicals. Plus, you can easily make natural deodorant recipes!
Many good options are available to buy, but it can be unclear where to start. Be prepared for trial and error until you find a good fit.
Natural deodorants can be in the stick form we are most used to, but many creams, powders, and sprays are as effective. Some people swear by lemon or lime juice, others by vodka! You can even buy a rock crystal*.
Read on to discover the most beneficial ingredients you should look for in natural deodorants and how they can benefit you and help keep the skin dry and healthy!
How To Choose An Effective Natural Deodorant?
When choosing natural deodorants, reading and understanding the label is essential. Natural deodorants contain ingredients that can naturally eliminate odor without nasty side effects or a build-up of chemical residues.
Not every natural product will work for you, especially initially; avoid ingredients like baking soda if you have sensitive skin.
Most natural deodorants often contain natural butter, natural oils, a moisture absorber, a wax to firm the product, and essential oils for fragrance.
Choose the ingredients that appeal to you, and know there is always a detox period when you may feel the product doesn’t work. Persevere; this phase goes away, and you will soon find that almost all-natural deodorant works well for you. You can even go without it for a few days.
Read this post on how to get natural deodorants to work to make this process easier!
What Ingredients Make Natural Deodorant Work?
It is essential to understand why ingredients are in products and their use. If you look at a bath or body care item label, you wouldn’t know half the elements without needing a chemistry lesson. Are these active ingredients or just fragrances or compounds to help with the product’s look and feel?
Natural deodorants offer fewer, more recognizable and beneficial ingredients, making them easier to understand. They also block sweat glands to stop perspiration and tackle odor-causing bacteria.
What Are The Most Commonly Used Ingredients In Natural Deodorants?
If you look at the ingredient list on some of the natural deodorants for sale, you will commonly see certain beneficial ingredients, such as;
Other helpful ingredients are things like;
- Bentonite clay helps to detox the skin.
- Witch hazel tightens pores and reduces inflammation.
- Charcoal has antibacterial properties that can lift toxins from the skin pores.
- Shea butter has moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties.
Understanding the benefits of the most widely used ingredients in natural deodorant can help you determine if they suit you or help you look for substitutions for anything your skin can’t tolerate.
These ingredients are great to know, too, if you want to make DIY deodorants! Try these recipes!
The Benefits Of Baking Soda In Natural Deodorant.
Baking soda, sodium bicarbonate, is commonly used in natural deodorant formulations. It helps minimize and neutralize odors, absorbs sweat, and has antibacterial properties.
While baking soda in the correct ratio can be well tolerated and works well for many, it can also be a significant source of skin irritation for many people.
Baking soda has a PH of 9. It is pretty alkaline, and optimal skin levels are 4.5-6.5. Therefore, anything that disrupts the skin’s acid mantle can cause redness and irritation.
If you notice irritation, look for formulations without baking soda, as this ingredient could be the culprit; however, it works well for many people without too many issues. Magnesium is an alternative odor-blocking ingredient to baking soda.
Make this natural deodorant recipe using Tea Tree oil and kaolin clay. It’s a fantastic natural formula with no baking soda!
Depending on your preference, you can buy natural deodorants with Baking soda, like Native deodorant, or without, like these by Lume!
The Benefits Of Magnesium In Natural Deodorants.
Magnesium oil, magnesium flakes mixed in water, is often seen in natural deodorants. It works well to neutralize odor instead of baking soda.
Mineral salts are a natural odor blocker with many benefits when used topically. Body odor is often worse when we lack certain minerals, and many find that bathing in magnesium chloride flakes makes a massive difference in how they feel and smell.
Considering we no longer bathe in mineral-rich oceans or freshwater streams, and most people are deficient in this mineral, it can make sense to try it and see if it benefits you.
Magnesium Chloride has a PH of 7, so it is considered neutral.
Magnesium hydroxide occurs naturally as the mineral brucite and is a common ingredient in many natural deodorants. These salts also supplement magnesium levels in the body.
Making DIY deodorants has many benefits. You can experiment to find the most effective ingredients.
Read here to try these three natural homemade deodorant recipes using Magnesium.
Or look for natural deodorants formulated with Magnesium, like those from Magsol Organics*.
The Benefits Of Coconut Oil In Natural Deodorants
Coconut oil is often one of the main ingredients in natural deodorants; almost every DIY recipe uses it. It is a versatile, soft, mildly scented oil with many beauty uses.
It contains the fatty acids capric, caprylic, and lauric, which possess antibacterial benefits and offer soothing, moisturizing, protective, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Coconut oil has a melting point of around 78F to remain stable at room temperature, depending on climate, making it an excellent oil for natural formulations. Plant butter and beeswax are also beneficial ingredients that make the formulations feel firmer.
Look for coconut-formulated natural deodorants like this one from Kopari*.
The Benefits Of Beeswax In Natural Deodorants.
Beeswax is a common ingredient in many natural deodorants and is very beneficial in stabilizing the product. Its melting point is 144F—147F, giving the deodorant firmness.
It has many other skincare benefits, as it has many of the same antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties as honey.
Beeswax, used for centuries for its skin-soothing and healing properties, locks in skin moisture and forms a protective barrier on the skin.
Beeswax is an all-natural, highly beneficial ingredient that can provide a gentle, sweet honey scent. Beeswax is high in vitamin A, has skin-regenerating properties, and is non-comedogenic, meaning it doesn’t clog pores, making it an excellent product for natural deodorants.
Suppose you are allergic to honey products or are looking for vegan formulations. In that case, it is best to avoid beeswax and look for natural deodorants that do not contain it, like ECO ROOTS* Natural Deodorant. Look for other plant waxes like Candelilla wax*.
The Benefits Of Arrowroot Powder In Natural Deodorants.
Arrowroot powder* is a starch made from the roots of several types of tropical plants. It is widely used for its nutritional and medicinal benefits and is a thickening agent in foods.
Besides its ability to thicken, it has beneficial antibacterial properties and has been used for years as a herbal remedy to reduce skin infection and irritation.
It doesn’t just thicken the formulations; its antiseptic properties and ability to absorb excessive sweat and moisture make it a natural ingredient to add to deodorants.
Look for natural deodorant with Arrowroot, like Hey Humans* Banana Aloe-vegan deodorant.
The Benefits Of Essential Oils In Natural Deodorants.
Essential oils*, from soothing lavender to uplifting lemon, are highly beneficial in natural deodorants because of their beautiful aromatic scents.
However, it is not just the scent of these oils that makes them so beneficial; they also have fantastic antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, deodorizing, and skincare properties!
The Most Beneficial Essential Oils To Use In Natural Deodorants.
Many essential oils are beneficial to use in natural deodorants; some of the most popular are;
Tea tree oil has a slightly medicinal smell, is antibacterial and antiseptic, and is a favorite for its skin-healing benefits. Manuka oil has similar properties but a sweeter, lighter scent.
Look for Tea tree oil natural deodorants like Tom’s of Maine’s* long-lasting natural deodorant.
Lavender: This herb is a favorite for its soothing, calming properties and gentle scent. Its essential oil is high in antioxidants and vitamins A and E, which are beneficial for irritated skin.
Try Each & Every* Natural deodorant with lavender and Lemon essential oils!
Rosewood*: This oil is very gentle on the skin and works well for most people. It has a mildly sweet, delicate floral aroma. It is beneficial for skin treatments because of its antiseptic, antibacterial, and deodorant properties.
Citrus essential oils are common ingredients in natural soaps and cleaning products. Lime, tangerine, Grapefruit, orange, and bergamot combine well in natural deodorants. They are sweet, tart, refreshing, and have excellent antibacterial and inflammatory properties.
Try EO Organic Deodorant Spray* with Citrus and other organic botanical extracts.
Sage* has an uplifting, spicy scent. It is a skin clarifyer and conditioner, and it has antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
There are so many other essential oils with unique benefits and scents, so have fun experimenting, but remember to patch test skin for irritation and consult a dermatologist.
When choosing a natural deodorant, you will discover which ingredients work best. Experiment with different recipes and buy formulations that appeal to you until you find a few that work well.
Finding and using ingredients that benefit the skin and are kinder to the environment is well worth the trial and error.
Read this for tips on how to make natural deodorants work better!
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