I've always had difficult pits.
I don't exactly remember when I started wearing antiperspirants (commonly refer to as deodorants), but I'm assuming it was roughly around the time my body entered puberty. I was thrilled about the boobs and not really worried about the periods, but the body odor? I was NOT prepared.
Underarms, or armpits, typically smell because of the bacteria that live there. Don't worry, I'm no special case - you have them too! These bacteria thrive on the warm, dark and moist environment beneath our arms.
I have since tried more brands and formulas than I thought existed. Dove, Secret, Arm & Hammer all came and went. It felt like my armpits would adapt to the deodorant over the course of a few months to a year, rendering them useless against my stank. Please understand - I scrubbed the hell out of my pits. I shaved bi-weekly. I was mindful of my diet, stayed hydrated, but could never really shake the issue.
I decided to try something a little different in 2018. I went for 'natural' antiperspirants - those free from aluminum. This became important to me as I learned that antiperspirants work by plugging our pores with aluminum. They literally stop us from sweating. No moisture means no bacterial funk. There is speculation that this could lead to cancer, but I am not looking to validate those claims with this post. I simply was curious as to whether less was more.
i.e.: Can I be fresh and free without pore-clogging metals and other chemicals?
I gave it a go and tried 4 different natural deodorants (not antiperspirants, as these did not claim to stop the sweat). Here are my thoughts:
Crystal Essence Mineral Roll-On Deodorant in Chamomile & Green Tea
Price: $3.59 - $4.75
Base: Water & Mineral Salts
Perks:
Travel-friendly
Easy to seal
Clean, subtle fragrance
Hypoallergenic
Drawbacks:
Lightweight, water-based formula
Must be applied to dry, freshly washed armpits only
Not long-wearing
Repurchase: Nay
Schmidt's Natural Deodorant in Lavender & Sage
Price: $8.99
Base: Shea Butter & Coconut Oil
Perks:
Can be applied to damp armpits
Invigorating fragrance
Vegan & Cruelty-free
Drawbacks:
Must be kept relatively cold due to coconut oil
Can feel greasy
Can be difficult to seal due to residue
Repurchase: Yay
Lone Natural Deodorant in Sweet Lavender
Price: $9.95
Base: Sea-salted Water & Cocoa Butter
Perks:
Cruelty-free
Soothing fragrance
Reduces odor on contact
Drawbacks:
Wet on application
Tricky packaging (can easily dispel too much product)
Repurchase: Yay
Kopari Natural Deodorant in Coconut
Price: $14
Base: Coconut Oil & Coconut Water
Perks:
Tropical fragrance
Easy to seal
No residue
Travel-friendly
Drawbacks:
Must be kept relatively cold due to coconut oil
Must be applied to dry, freshly washed armpits only
Repurchase: Nay
So now that you've gotten the rundown, I bet you're wondering what ultimately sold me on my top two deodorants.
I am a big fan of lavender scents and feel they gel well with my natural body scent. Though I'm all about saving coins, I need a product that will work...but I'm not going to break the bank if I can find something cheaper that works just as well.
Lone and Schmidt's both have products that smell great, are cruelty-free and moisturize as they protect. I still feel their packaging leaves some things to be desired, but maybe they'll see this review and seek out even better ways to dispense their products.
Are you considering a switch to natural deodorants? Let me know your thoughts and what I should try next!
Much love,
Bria