Hot or Not? Natural Deodorants
Your Ultimate Guide to Natural Deodorants.
NEWS FLASH! About 60% of chemicals applied to the skin can be absorbed into the body. So careful consideration must be placed on topical substances used on our skin. In comes natural deodorants, a great alternative to traditional antiperspirants that often contain aluminium and other potentially harmful ingredients. They work by neutralising odour-causing bacteria, rather than blocking sweat glands as antiperspirants do (P.S. yes, there is a difference between antiperspirants and deodorants. We'll cover that in another post. Stay tuned).
Pictured below: Fresh Balm, a natural deodorant offered by JaRoma Natural.
Many natural deodorants also have nourishing and skin-soothing properties, making them a great choice for those with sensitive skin.
One of the key ingredients in many natural deodorants is baking soda, which is effective at neutralizing odour and absorbing moisture. However, some people (like myself) find that baking soda can be (very) irritating to the skin, leading them to search for alternatives or simply create one because why not? If you're like me, don't worry – there are plenty of natural deodorants on the market that don't contain baking soda. One prime example is our very own Fresh Balm.
All Natural Baking Soda Alternatives
One such option is a deodorant made with cornstarch and kaolin clay. Cornstarch is a gentle yet natural absorbent that helps to keep skin dry, while kaolin clay is a natural detoxifier that reduces odour-causing bacteria. Together, these two ingredients can effectively neutralize odour and absorb moisture without irritation.
The combination of coconut oil and arrowroot powder can also leave you feeling fresh and dry all day. Why? Coconut oil is a natural antifungal and antibacterial agent that can help kill odour-causing bacteria, while arrowroot powder is a natural absorbent that helps keep skin dry.
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Plant-Based Alternatives
There are also natural deodorants made with plant-based ingredients like tea tree oil and witch hazel. Tea tree oil is a natural antifungal and antibacterial agent that can help kill odour-causing bacteria, while witch hazel is a natural astringent that helps reduce sweating. As they are derived from plants, this makes them a great choice for those with sensitive skin.
Our Solution
Fresh Balm by JaRoma Natural is our combination of all-natural and plant-based ingredients formulated for sensitive skin. The key ingredients for this natural deodorant are coconut oil, arrowroot powder and magnesium hydroxide.
So we already told you about coconut oil and arrowroot powder. Now let's get you acquainted with the MVP, magnesium hydroxide. This is a naturally occurring compound. We chose it as our alternative because it has antimicrobial, skin-soothing, odour-neutralising properties AND does not absorb into the skin. When applied to the skin, it can help to kill bacteria that cause body odour and neutralise unpleasant odours on the surface of the skin.
In addition to its antimicrobial and odour-neutralising properties, magnesium hydroxide was also selected for its skin-soothing and moisturizing effects. It balances the body's natural pH and can help to reduce irritation and dryness, making it a good option for those with sensitive skin.
With all of this information, you probably want to know, what's wrong with baking soda? After all, it is both aluminium free and natural. IT IS ALKALINE! It has all these great properties AND neutralizes bacteria, however, baking soda is alkaline. The total opposite of the acidity of the skin. Basic chemistry will tell you that this is a no-no. When added to the skin, baking soda strips the skin's moisture barrier which results in dryness, irritation and discolouration. Not to mention the potential for allergic reactions, especially for persons with sensitive skin. A lesson I learnt very painfully.
After a lot of trial, error and testing we formulated our Fresh Balm, our handmade natural deodorant. We are pretty excited about it and would love for you to give it a try and leave us a review. P.S. We also have an unscented version for those with fragrance sensitivities. We always want to hear from our customers so we know how we're doing and can improve our products.
If you're looking for a natural deodorant that doesn't contain baking soda, there are plenty of options to choose from. Whether you prefer a deodorant made with cornstarch, kaolin clay, magnesium hydroxide, arrowroot powder or other such ingredients. Just like baking soda, any of these may not be suitable for everyone. Based on sensitivities, some people may find that one or all causes irritation or other skin reactions, so it's always a good idea to patch-test any new product before using it on a larger area of the skin. Through research, you can find a natural deodorant that works for you. So go ahead! Ditch the aluminium and baking soda and give natural deodorants a try – your body (and your nose) will thank you.
Would you try natural deodorants?
- 0%Absolutely
- 0%I don't know
- 0%Maybe
- 0%No