By Rebecca Hitchon
The boom of the skincare market, brought on by lockdown’s effect on our skin and looking at ourselves more thanks to Zoom, has made us extra mindful about what we’re putting on our skin. The fact that our skin absorbs 60% of product makes it even more crucial that we’re careful with what we use.
But did you know that our armpits absorb more product than other parts of the body?
Now that we’re in the hot (fingers crossed) summer months and with the UK lifting almost all restrictions, our calendars look busier than ever. And we want to stay fresh but still be mindful about what we’re putting on our skin, right?
Welcome natural deodorant into your beauty routine. I’m sure we’ve all heard about natural deodorants, mainly because of the bad reputation they get i.e. they don’t work. As a natural deodorant user myself, let me tell you that is not representative of the whole market. That’s why I’m going to be taking you through our selection of the best natural deodorant brands to use this summer.
But first, let’s address why natural deodorants are the way forward, not only for our skin but also for the environment.
What is the problem with traditional deodorants and antiperspirants?
Traditional deodorants and antiperspirants vary in what they do, with deodorant masking the smell of sweat bacteria and antiperspirants stopping sweating altogether. While the chemicals in both products achieve these functions, they can have a harmful impact on our bodies.
Triclosan is the ingredient in deodorants which kills odorous bacteria. The problem is that triclosan works by killing all bacteria it comes into contact with, whether good or bad. It has been banned in some areas, with hormone interference being one of the health problems linked to the chemical.
Antiperspirants are made up of aluminium salt compounds instead, which dissolve to create a gel that blocks your sweat glands. Although this sounds simple enough, sweating is a healthy and natural bodily function that we need to regulate our body temperature and eliminate toxins. It also helps to improve circulation and reduce stress hormones. Plus, aluminium has been linked to a long list of health issues, including breast cancer and kidney disease, by some research studies. You can read our article on aluminium-free deodorants here.
So, how are natural deodorants different?
Natural deodorants allow a normal flow of sweat but like sustainable perfume, they don’t compromise on smelling good as natural ingredients neutralise odours and absorb moisture. The transition to natural deodorant may cause an increase in odour, due to the fact that toxins built up under the skin will be released. But this will only occur for a few days or weeks and regular applications of your natural deodorant in this period will do the trick.
Another benefit of natural deodorants is their reduced environmental impact. Many of the ingredients in traditional deodorants and antiperspirants affect ecosystems when they enter waterways. Triclosan is one of these ingredients, which when exposed to sunlight in water turns into a toxic compound. With zero waste beauty more accessible than ever, there is also the issue of how sustainable deodorant packaging is.
The UK uses around 600 million aerosols each year, with one of their main uses being for deodorants and antiperspirants.
Despite typically being made of recycled metal and plastic, the only way to process an aerosol is if it is empty, clean and dry. Making this possible and managing the compressed liquid or gas that it contains uses lots of energy and is expensive. The gas propellants in aerosol deodorants and antiperspirants contribute to air pollution and climate change too.
In a world where words like natural are thrown around like confetti, Schmidt’s is committed to being truly natural. The certified natural deodorant brand uses condensed formulas with 100% natural origin ingredients. Being ethical is important to the business, disclosing full ingredient lists so you know exactly what’s going on your skin. And they promise effectivity, after trialling hundreds of recipes until the ultimate 24 hour odour protection formula was found.
What we love about the Natural Deodorant Co.’s collection of balms and creams is that they suit every lifestyle. The Clean Deodorant Balm is suitable for all skin types and the silky soft Gentle Deodorant Cream targets sensitive skin. There is also the Active Deodorant balm, a light but hardworking formula that you’ll be wanting in your gym bag and when on-the-go. All manage to perfectly blend nourishing and antibacterial ingredients to soothe underarm skin whilst neutralising odours.
After using Wild to transition to natural deodorants, there’s no going back for me. I recommended the brand here before but there’s not much to fault. Focusing on a growing trend: refills, Wild is an accessible natural deodorant option in terms of how long-lasting and inexpensive each refill is. Their formulas are super moisturising and with refills packaged in 100% biodegradable bamboo pulp and cases made from durable aluminium and recycled plastic, there’s lots to feel good about.
Founded by two West End performers, Akt is the result of years of formulating a deodorant that would withstand their intense schedules. Receiving only positive feedback from dancers and athletes, it’s guaranteed that Akt’s balms will instantly absorb and keep you fresh. The brand is for all genders and is one of the only companies in the world to use forever recyclable aluminium caps (not plastic) for their natural deodorant tubes.
Many of us have found bar soaps and shampoo bars becoming staples of our beauty routines of late. But did you know about natural deodorant bars? Let us introduce you to Earth Conscious’ zero waste deodorant option, ‘bare bars’. Alongside these, the family business has a range of balms and sticks which use biodegradable and recyclable packaging. Earth Conscious is also a philanthropic brand, donating 10p from each sale to the UK’s Marine Conservation Society.
If natural deodorant is part of your beauty routine, let us know what brand you’re using in the comments. Or if you want to transition to a natural deodorant, comment what brand you are going to use!
Rebecca Hitchon
Rebecca is passionate about cultivating a sustainable lifestyle and enjoys being able to mix this with her love of writing. She has recently completed her final year of studying Journalism with Media Studies at the University of Portsmouth. You can find more of her work at rebeccahitchon.wordpress.com.
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