Everything You Need To Know About Natural Deodorants (FAQs)

Why You Should Consider Switching To Natural Deodorants

There are many reasons why you should consider switching to natural deodorants. Firstly and most importantly, they are healthier for your body. Most of the ingredients found in conventional deodorants have been linked to a variety of health problems, including breast cancer.

Natural deodorants have no chemicals, artificial fragrances, or preservatives and are often made with organic ingredients. This means that they are safer for your skin and will not irritate it like many conventional brands can do.

The second reason is that they last longer than the products found in shops today. Conventional deodorant only lasts a couple hours before you need to reapply it again while natural deodorant can last up to 24 hours or more depending on the brand used.

Thirdly, to help reduce single use plastic. Many natural deodorants are wrapped in eco-friendly packaging which is more than recyclable, it’s 100% domestically compostable.

What’s the difference between an Antiperspirant and a Deodorant?

The main difference between deodorant and antiperspirant is that deodorants do not stop sweat, but instead mask body odor by killing bacteria. Antiperspirants, on the other hand, stop sweat by drying it up.

A few things to keep in mind when switching from an antiperspirant to a deodorant:

- Antiperspirants contain aluminum which can cause irritation or inflammation of skin and may be linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

- Deodorants don't contain aluminum and are generally preferred for those who suffer from skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.

Is it Safe to Wear a Natural Deodorant While Pregnant or Breastfeeding?

Some pregnant and breastfeeding mothers have concerns about the safety of wearing a natural deodorant.

A study from the journal "Neurotoxicology and Teratology" found that pregnant women who wore antiperspirants indeed had a higher risk of having babies born with birth defects. The study also found that these mothers had a higher risk of having children with behavioral problems like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

The jury is however still out on whether or not it is safe to wear a natural deodorant while pregnant or breastfeeding but it is best to avoid deodorant with essential oils.

Are There Any Concerns Regarding How Long I Can Use A Single Stick Of Natural Deodorant?

As a general rule a natural deodorant will last 18 months to 2 years.

How does it look? Is it starting to crumble?

How does it smell? Has the smell changed at all? 

Storing your deodorant correctly will extend the life of the product

1. Keep them in a cool place out of direct sunlight.

2. Don’t open a deodorant until you’re ready to use it.

3. Make sure you keep the lid on when you’re not using it. Prolonged exposure to air will cause oxidation of the ingredients making it go bad faster.

How Do I Switch from an Antiperspirant to a Natural Deodorant?

Week 1 - You might not notice much of a difference during the first week since the aluminium in antiperspirant 'plugs up' your pores, preventing you from sweating. 

Week 2 - There will be an increase in the growth of bacteria under your arms. You will notice an increase in the armpit moisure as your body flushes out the toxins.

Week 3 - Your bacteria levels will begin to subside and the bacteria that occurs naturally under your arms begin to re-balance and stop overproducing odour. You should also notice that you sweat less. 

Week 4 - Your body should have adjusted to your new natural deodorant. Whilst you will still sweat (because that is healthy), by continuing to use a natural deodorant you can neutralise any possible odours.

If you’re finding that your armpits still get irritated, try to avoid applying deodorant right after shaving. 

My last tip for you while transitioning to natural deodorant is to stick it out! I promise, if you can get past the first few weeks of detox, you will not regret it! It may take a few weeks for your pits to detox from the toxins after using traditional antiperspirant/deodorant. After you’ve gone through the detox period, your natural deodorant will begin to work and you will never look back! 

Rated best on the BBC Shop Well For The Planet programme, Scence deodorant is the perfect way to transition from conventional deodorant to a 100% natural option.   

Our Perfect Rose Deodorant Balm is a soothing, softening vegan deodorant balm for everyday use that should last you 2-3 months. All the ingredients are natural and ethically sourced – coconut oil, mango butter and essential oils along with magnesium to deodorize, and organic arrowroot to absorb moisture. 

Scence deodorants contain no bicarbonate of soda, to minimise skin irritation. These plastic free deodorants are cruelty-free, made in the UK and poured into 100% recyclable compostable tubes.

Want to buy natural deodorants? Take a look at our full deodorant range.

It may seem scary or even a lot of faff but trust me, natural deodorant is worth the swap.  It's healthier and better for your body, sustainable and environmentally friendly. Your body and our planet will thank you for it!