Making the Switch to a Natural Deodorant?

Natural deodorants have a reputation for not working well. Maybe you've heard the rumors, or maybe you've tried one and it just didn’t work for you. But why is that? Why do they work great for some people but not for others?

Conventional deodorants are often made with sweat-blocking and pore-clogging ingredients like aluminum, antibacterial agents such as triclosan, parabens, petrochemicals, and synthetic fragrances. When you switch from a conventional deodorant or antiperspirant to a natural deodorant, it's only natural that your glands and pores will start to unclog, open up, and function properly. During this transition time, your pores begin decongesting, breathing and releasing toxins from your body. This natural and healthy detoxification process may temporarily increase your body odour and make you wonder if your new natural deodorant is actually working.

Switching to a natural deodorant? Here are six tips to help make it a smooth transition:

1. Give it a Go
We recommend trying your new natural deodorant for at least 1-3 weeks to see if it works well for you. Our bodies vary significantly, as does the nature of our sweat, affecting how much is produced and how attractive it is to bacteria. The detoxification process takes time, especially after regular antiperspirant use, but once your body adjusts back to its natural state, the efficacy of your natural deodorant might surprise you.

2. Dry Brush Your Underarms
If you've been using an antiperspirant, there may be a buildup of chemical residue and dead skin in that area. Before your shower, gently dry brush your underarm skin to loosen the buildup and delicately improve circulation.

3. Start Clean
You may need to clean more than you're used to for a while, now that you're sweating as nature intended. Wash your underarms with warm soapy water to help remove any unpleasant scents. Leaving a soap lather on your skin for up to 30 seconds can help reduce lingering scents and remove unwanted bacteria.

Rocky TIP: Deodorizing essential oils found in our bar soaps soaps are best for washing (our favourites are Minty Tea Tree, Fennel & Charcoal, Lemongrass, or Patchouli).

4. Sweat it Out
Exercise, saunas, hot showers, and other sweat-inducing activities will help get your sweat glands functioning properly again. Initially, you may notice your underarm sweat is thicker than expected. This is because underarm sweat glands excrete amino acids, not just water and salt like other glands. After regular antiperspirant use, these glands haven't been able to excrete amino acids, leading to a buildup that is now being released.

5. Stay Hydrated
With all this sweating, it is important to fuel your body with fluids. Staying hydrated will also help to "thin" out your sweat. With less amino and fatty acids in your sweat, bacteria will have less to feed on, and less scent will be produced.

6. What You Wear
Natural fabrics like cotton, bamboo and hemp will help wick perspiration away from your body and keep you dry while synthetic fabrics like acetate and polyester trap sweat and give bacteria a pleasant place to live and grow.