Shortly after changing the way I ate and cleaning up that aspect of my life, I started to notice a lot of improvements in the way I felt. The migraines I would often get suddenly stopped occurring, and I was sleeping better with more stable energy throughout the day. So many things were looking up, I wondered what else I could change to make things even better. Fueled by my positive results with my diet, I sought natural deodorants. I was hesitant to try because I work out a lot and get sweaty. I was also hesitant because I had once tried a deodorant (non-antiperspirant) that wasn’t even totally clean, and it was a total fail. That said, I was determined to give it a go because in addition to wanting to feel my best, I also have a prevalent family history of cancer, both thyroid and breast cancer. It seemed like getting rid of the toxic aluminum (breast cancer causing) ingredient was for the best.
Shopping for Natural Deodorant
And so I did, I hopped online at Thrive Market, which has lots of healthy stuff for reasonable prices compared to other retailers, and picked out a brand with decent reviews. I even got Justin one, too. Our little package arrived in the mail, and we started out the next day with our natural deodorants. If you have done some research you know that they all say you have to stick it out for a few weeks for your body to adapt, and then things will start looking up. Well, for more than three weeks I stuck it out, rolling on the slimy and sticky stuff. It wasn’t too pleasant. I just didn’t like the way it felt and the way it never really seemed to dry up. I also was not too fond of the scent. Anyway, after about a month I went back to my old ways and pulled the Degree out of a drawer. Disappointing, I know.
And then another try
Fast forward to a few weeks later…I figured I just needed to try another brand, so I did. And I started digging my finger into a pot every day and applied the next brand with my finger. Ok, that was a little weird, but it worked. I could work out, get ready for work, and then head to the office and not be stinky. Score. However, after a few weeks, I noticed my armpits were breaking out and seeming to have an adverse reaction to the deodorant. Wait…what?! How could the natural stuff be causing a reaction. I thought it was better for you? Confused, I did a little research and learned the baking soda in some natural deodorants can irritate your skin. Yep, that is what happened. Ugh…and again I resorted to my old ways. Degree to the rescue, luring me back.
And another round
Still convinced I could find the right fit, once my pits healed I was back at it with another brand, and then a couple more. Yes, I tried many brands and wasted a lot of money on natural deodorants. They are not cheap compared to their toxic counterparts. For your benefit, I will fast forward over the months it took to find a few brands worth trying, and tell you what I think works best. Now, you will likely have to do a little trial and error of your own, but my hope is that these three options will help to cut out a lot of angry pits and money down the drain. First off, my tip is to try options with and without the baking soda. It is effective, so that is good, but too much can irritate your underarms and some people are more sensitive than others. Second, go for the unscented options. I have found that the scented kinds just end up smelling not so stellar by the end of the day and often times made my clothes smell even worse. No bueno. Third, rotate your deodorants. I have found three that I like, and I rotate between them. Two of the three do not have baking soda which gives my pits a break so they don’t get angry. I feel like rotating between brands keeps them effective and working hard for you.
Fast forward to what works for me
Alright. Drumroll please….My top three recommendations for natural deodorants are explained below. Please note this is my personal experience and opinion and not sponsored by any of the products featured below.
Schmidt’s
Schmidt’s Natural Deodorant – I start with this one because it is readily available in most health food stores, like Whole Foods and New Seasons, and it is also a local Portland company, which makes me feel good. It costs $10-$12 depending where you buy it. You can get it in a pot or in a stick format. I bought the sensitive skin, unscented stick. The main con for this one is that it is pretty hard and can be a little abrasive on your pits, so you have to let your body warm it up a little, and then dab it on more than roll it on. Seriously, don’t go right in for the roll. It will feel like sandpaper. Hold the deodorant against your body for a few moments. Then, dab it on versus using a traditional rolling on. Not sure if this is a deal breaker, but it definitely takes a little getting used to.
Primally Pure
Primally Pure – I am a little obsessed with this company. I love their story, their mission, and use a number of their products. I have recently become a brand ambassador of theirs because I simply live their products so much and really believe in what they are doing! Love. I get their sticks in charcoal, geranium and lavender, and I rotate between the three of them. It costs $14-16 for a full sized stick. You do have to pay for shipping (unless your order is $100+ then it’s free shipping and if you need suggestions on some of my other favorite Primally Pure products just let me know – email me at beauty@realsimplegood.com). The shipping is the only con I can think of. I don’t really have anything negative to say about this one. It rolls on much more naturally than the one above, so if that is a big deal for you, this may be a better fit. Their formula contains just the right amount of baking soda, which keeps my pits very happy and makes the deodorant effective. You may need to try the various scents and unscented to see what works best for your body. It’s different for everyone, but I’m confident at least one of them will work well for you! If you are interested in shopping Primally Pure, I’d love your support of my ambassadorship, which you can show by shopping with my link => Erica’s Primally Pure Shop.
Primal Pit Paste
Primal Pit Paste – This stuff just works. It’s good stuff. It comes in a stick and rolls on naturally. I purchased the regular unscented stick. It does have baking soda, so I used it for a while with minor irritation, but don’t currently use it. They do have an option called happy pits, but it only comes in a scented version. This one costs $10.95, plus shipping. You can get this one on Thrive Market though if you are a member, and if you spend $49 or more you get free shipping, so that is nice if you have other stuff to order.
FATCO
Another option, one that I don’t currently use but have in the past with some irritation is from FATCO, formally known as Fat Face. It is called Stank Stop, and it comes in a little pot. You rub it on with your finger and sometimes you need your body heat to heat it up a little if you store it in a cool place. This one worked well for me, but ended up irritating my skin with prolonged use. However, my grandmother has had a great experience with it and prefers this over some of my other favorites. It just goes to show that you will have to do a little trial and error and find what suits you and your body best, but it is worth the effort to find a safer product.
In the end
This is my rundown of natural deodorants. I think we all know that it is safer and better for our bodies to use them. However, finding the right one can be a challenge. I hope these options give you a solid starting point and help to cut out the run around and money wasting I experienced. Let us know what you think about this post and our recommendations. I’m so curious to learn if these three are as effective and well-liked by you. Leave a comment below, and let us know what you think.
