How To Switch To Natural Deodorant

Making the switch from aluminum-based antiperspirant to natural deodorant might be difficult but your body will adjust. 

      I received samples from Nubian Heritage to facilitate this post.
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 Several years ago, I decided to start eliminating toxic chemicals from my body. It all started with the knowledge that I received from attending an eco-friendly conference. The desire to start on my journey of eliminating bad chemicals from my home also was due to a child who had bad eczema and other sensitivities. My other kids had experienced eczema as a baby and baby lotions calmed the rash down but this did not work on my youngest child. The baby lotions made him scream in pain. This child also had mouth sores that would not go away, which I later discovered to be from a toothpaste ingredient. After I attended the health conference, I decided to make the switch to a safe natural deodorant.

What made me want to switch to natural deodorant?

 I had learned about ingredients that were in traditional antiperspirants that could be harmful to the body. The main ingredient was aluminum and I had found out that it may be linked to breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. After seeing my mother-in-law struggle with Alzheimer’s and dying from the disease, I knew that I needed to not purposely allow a toxic ingredient like aluminum into my body. Traditional antiperspirants also contain other unsafe ingredients that I did not like so I was ready to try a natural deodorant that was chemical-free.

 Here is a shortlist of the ingredients that are linked to problems:

Aluminum: It may be linked to breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.
Parabens: An endocrine disruptor that may interfere with our hormone production.
Phthalates: Another endocrine disruptor that may cause havoc in your body.
Propylene Glycol: A neurotoxin may be linked to kidney and liver damage.

The truth about using natural deodorant for the first time

  For many people, the first time that they use a natural deodorant, it is not a good experience. They will complain that they are sweating and still stink. The truth is that the toxic ingredient aluminum works by plugging up your sweat glands. So when you take the leap from antiperspirant to deodorant, your sweat glands will overcompensate from being plugged up for so long and start over-producing sweat and you will smell. Did you know that the aluminum in antiperspirant is also the reason why your shirts have yellow stains on them?

Sweating is good for you

 Our bodies were made to sweat and sweating is healthy Using products to stop the release of toxins from my body did not sound like a good thing to me but neither did smelling like a caveman. So I did some research and discovered that I needed to use an armpit detox to prepare my body for the transition to using natural deodorant. The armpit detox paste is supposed to help draw out the toxins that have been trapped in your armpits so your body will not stink when using a natural deodorant.

Give it time

 It may take your body a couple days or weeks to get used to natural deodorant but don't give up as you are doing a good thing for your health. You are not longer applying dangerous chemicals to your armpits that enter your bloodstream. So try these tips for making the switch to natural deodorant a bit easier. The smell will get better. For some people, the detox period takes a couple of days while for others it may take longer, up to a month. You will notice start to notice that the natural deodorant will begin to neutralize the smell of daily body odor.

TIPS TO HELP YOU GET THROUGH THE DETOX

1. Use a scented deodorant: While your body is adjusting, the scented deodorant will make your armpits smell better. Choose a scent that you enjoy like Mango Butter. This scent smells like delicious mangos and I love the fruity scent. If fruit is not your choice of scent, no worries as Nubian Heritage has many other awesome scents. Carry your natural deodorant with you and reapply throughout the day. If you can reapply your lipstick throughout the day so can you reapply your deodorant. Use your bathroom break time for this. I know that my deodorant is working when I smell a fresh mango scent.





2.  Apply a natural starch powder: Try applying a natural starch powder such as arrowroot powder or cornstarch, to the underarms after applying your deodorant. The starch will help absorb some of the excess moisture/sweat from your body and keep your clothes dry.

3. Take hot baths: Hot baths will help open your pores and encourage sweating to help to flush out toxins.

4. Use a natural antibacterial soap: The odor from your armpits is caused by bacteria so a natural antibacterial soap will help remove the extra bacteria and significantly improve issues with feeling stinky.

5. Exercise: Exercise will help your body sweat and help eliminate more of the built-up toxins in your armpits. Don't worry about smelling at the gym as other people are sweating too so they understand about stinky sweat. At the gym, all the weightlifting muscle head guys are causing enough stink so your body odor won't be noticed.

6. Wear other natural fragranced body care products: To help your body smell better during the transition period of switching from traditional antiperspirant to natural deodorant, use some other natural body care products that are scented with essential oils. I like to use Nubian Heritage’s Mango Butter body lotion. This lotion has a wonderful tropical fresh scent and it keeps my skin moist and supple. I love how this creamy lotion is rich in carotenoids and antioxidants to me healthier-looking skin.

All Mango Butter, made by Nubian Heritage, products are cruelty-free and do not contain parabens, sulfates, phthalates, paraffin, mineral oil, petroleum, DEA, synthetic fragrance or artificial coloring.

Even my boys use natural deodorant

 My youngest two sons never had to go through the antiperspirant detox process as I started them on natural deodorant from the start. When they started middle school, deodorant was on the school supply list for gym class. So I handed them a container of natural deodorant that had a scent that they liked. The best part was they had no noticeable body odor when they applied the safe natural deodorant.

 Have you switched to natural deodorant or have tried to? 

What was your detox experience like? I would love to know! Please leave your comments below so other readers can benefit.