I started using natural deodorant during my first pregnancy because I wanted to start taking care of my body, in case I chose to continue the pregnancy. I knew my then-partner/now-husband preferred using natural deodorants because his skin would flare up in a rash any time he used anti-perspirants. From the interactions with people I've had online, he's not the only one.
From my beauty training, we were taught when learning about anatomy and massage about lymph nodes, and how they assist in dispelling any unwanted toxins from the area. We have lymph nodes in and around our armpits, which is also why we sweat there--to release toxins. I thought: "why are we trying to prevent ourselves from sweating then? why are blocking this really good thing that our body naturally does? just to smell good? surely there is another way."
You can learn about the potentially harmful ingredients in regular deodorant and cited studies on them in a previous blog post I did. Click here to read it or save it for later.
So I enlisted the guidance of my (now) mother-in-law who was already using natural deodorants and she led me to my first brand: KIND-LY. Over the years, I have tried many from supermarkets, pharmacies and online health or beauty stores. Below, I have ranked them for you so that you can feel confident in making the switch.
I will be grading them on things like Application Type, Scent Longevity, Ingredient Quality, what Season I recommend using it in (based on the scent longevity and application type, as with natural deodorants some ingredients can withstand heat both in the container and on the body without melting, and others cannot). I will also note which particular Scent I tried and where I Bought it from. They will be ranked from least to most effective.
(note: the link to each deodorant brand's website has been hyperlinked to each title if you'd like to do your own investigations into the brand and ingredients)
No. 8: MyAURA
Application Type: Paste Stick
Scent Tried: Rose, Vanilla & Jasmine
Ingredient Quality: Organic
Bought from: Woolworths or Coles
Scent Longevity: 0/5
Season Recommendation: Winter
Australian: Yes
I love a gentle rose scent. This guy was one of the first deodorants I tried because it was easily accessible and low on price. I don't recommend this one simply because I recall that the scent wasn't strong and it did not keep its scent for long, however if it is your only choice and you don't mind a bit of your own natural smell, go for gold.
Application Type: Cream/Paste in Tub
Scent Tried: Rose & Frankincense
Ingredient Quality: Organic
Bought from: (gifted to me, but can purchase online and in some Health stores)
Scent Longevity: 3/5
Season Recommendation: Autumn & Winter
Australian: Yes
Another rose scent! This was the first deodorant I used in tub form: where you have to take a little amount on your fingers and rub on your pits. I didn't like this at first but eventually became accustomed to it, and actually enjoyed giving myself a bit of a massage.
I noticed after a few hours it would no longer hold it's scent and became a little bit pungent, especially in the warmer months. I noticed that the paste in the tub also started "sweating" and it would do the same on my armpits. Applying less product might work and this is why I'd recommend it for the cooler months. Another thing to note is that this product contains Bicarbonate which can irritate those with sensitive skin. Something to be mindful of if that's you!
Another note is that sometimes 'paste in tub' deodorants seem to leave a liquid residue on the skin which can feel annoying to me personally and transfers quite easily onto any clothing tight under the armpits.
Application Type: Cream/Paste in Tub
Scent Tried: BICARB FREE Original Citrus
Ingredient Quality: Natural, Sustainable, Essential Oils are Organic, Bi-Carb Free
Bought from: Woolworths
Scent Longevity: 3/5
Season Recommendation: Autumn & Winter
Australian: Yes
This one and the Noosa Basics deodorant are on the same page, and I had the exact same experience with it as written above. The only things that make No Pong superior to Noosa Basics is that NP is (1) more easily accessible, (2) more affordable and (3) bi-carb free!
Application Type: Liquid Roll-On
Scent Tried: Rose & Australian Sandalwood
Ingredient Quality: Natural, Bi-Carb Free
Bought from: Woolworths or Priceline
Scent Longevity: 4/5
Season Recommendation: Spring, Autumn & Winter
Australian: Yes
Now onto one of my favourites! The scent is strong (and of course, in Rose) AND it is just like a regular roll-on deodorant. I did find in summer that I had to re-apply one more around midday or after rigorous exercise, and I noticed that if I applied directly after shaving my armpits there would be a slight sting. This is likely because of the high alcohol content. If you are too afraid to try a paste and want something easily accessible, affordable, that smells good and you don't mind carrying it around with you during the day, then this is the one for you.
Application Type: Liquid Roll-On
Scent Tried: Rose & Geranium
Ingredient Quality: Organic, Natural & Probiotic, Bi-Carb Free
Bought from: Chemist Warehouse, NourishedLife (online) or eBay
Scent Longevity: 4/5
Season Recommendation: Spring, Autumn, Winter
Australian: Yes
You never forget your first! I was lucky that this one wasn't a dud. I originally bought this from an online natural wholesaler called Unique, however it was difficult to access and they stopped selling it. And I just found out in researching today that they sell it at Chemist Warehouse now!!! YAY!
I loved the scent, it kept well, very similar to the Akin liquid roll-on and does potentially need re-application, but what makes KIND-LY just that bit better is (1) the ingredients are organic, (2) they include probiotics (the bacteria that is good for your skin) and (3) I don't recall it ever stinging my underarms after a shave. Highly recommend this one.
Application Type: Paste in tub
Scent Tried: Axilla BARRIER BOOSTER for Sensitive Skin (a creamy scent with citrus and subtle oakiness)
Ingredient Quality: Certified Organic, Natural, Bi-Carb free*
Bought from: ActiveSkin (can also get from AdoreBeauty)
Scent Longevity: 5/5
Season Recommendation: All Seasons
Australian: Yes
The holy grail (almost) of natural deodorants. This one came highly recommended and it did not disappoint. It was a paste in a tub, much like No Pong and Noosa Basics, however the scent on Black Chicken was stronger, more versatile for men and women, and the way that is felt applying it onto the armpit was amazing. It is both a moisturiser and a deodorant, thanks to the shea butter and coconut oil. Over-application will lead to excess residue on the skin and clothing, so keep true to their pea-size recommendation. The specific one I chose--Barrier Booster for Sensitive Skin--does not contain bicarb, however the regular version does. To top it off, this deodorant now comes in a plastic-free version!
The good thing about this brand is that they have a sample size, so if you want to trial it before buying the big tub you can!
The only reason this is not number one or two is simply because of a personal preference for stick deodorants as opposed to a tub, and because I have never trialled this deodorant in a sauna before to compare, unlike...
Application Type: Paste Stick
Scent Tried: Patchouli & Ylang Ylang
Ingredient Quality: Organic, Natural, Bi-carb Free
Bought from: Kissing Chickens website
Scent Longevity: 5/5
Season Recommendation: All Seasons
Australian: Yes
This is the newest one I've tried and I enjoy it. The texture is very pleasant when applying to underarms. It is in a tube, like a roll-on deodorant, however it has the texture of a paste if it were dry. I think of very finely crushed arrowroot biscuits! The scent longevity is VERY strong, even after showering I can still smell the scent lingering. The way the deodorant settles into your skin, probably due to the oils, means that you can still feel the residue on your armpits when washing in the shower. This is a personal sensory annoyance and is easily fixed with a double wash of the armpits.
The reason Kissing Chicken's is superior to Black Chicken Remedies is due to the personal preference in application (stick vs. tub).
I wore this deodorant to a sauna session--what I call the sauna test--and when I came out the deodorant smelled exactly the same as it did in strength as when I entered!
Application Type: Paste Stick
Scent Tried: Sport Luxe (vanilla freesia lemon)
Ingredient Quality: Organic, Natural, Bi-carb Free
Bought from: ActiveSkin and AdoreBeauty
Scent Longevity: 5/5
Season Recommendation: All Seasons
Australian: No
This deodorant in the Sport Luxe version has stood the test of time, for both me and my husband! We have been using it for over 2 years now and we haven't found another one like it. My husband plays a lot of sport and has reactions to anti-perspirants, so we needed to find a deodorant that could stand that. It is a very smooth paste in wind-up stick form. The scent is great for both men and women. At first, my husband and I were applying way too much and so in Summer if we got really sweaty, we noticed foaming at the armpits. To fix this, we simply do one slow swipe down our entire armpit and it hasn't happened since!
After the sauna test, the deodorant scent was still there, just not as strong.
I have also tried the Vanilla Grapefruit scent, however it is formulated differently, and the scent longevity wasn't as good as Sport Luxe.
The only downside to this deodorant is not the deodorant itself--it's simply a personal preference for supporting Australian owned businesses, but when your first switching to natural deodorants, you want a deodorant you can trust, and this is the one.
SUMMARY
Personally I would recommend you try all deodorants for yourself and gather your own knowledge and experience. I highly recommend trialling deodorants 1-4. I will also continue to trial new deodorants as they are recommended to me!
When switching to natural deodorants, you must remember WHY you are doing it. A reminder, to motivate you when you feel called to choose the comfort of an anti-perspirant, as well as using the Why as a compass for you to navigate these reviews. You must choose what aligns with your needs and wants, not just basing your decision off the numbers I choose.
For example, if you are switching and want to support Australian businesses, keep that in mind when going through my reviews and let that be your basis for your choice of deodorant. If you are low on money and don't want to pay for shipping, choose one more easily accessible to you. If you are intensely sensory and hate liquid roll-on, try a paste stick, and vice versa. If you like massage, try a paste in a tub. If you are making the switch for the health benefits, keep yourself educated on the toxins in anti-perspirants and stick to the deodorants in this list that are organic. If you have sensitive skin or an allergy, choose one without bi-carb.
You must also remember that your natural odour is not bad. I love catching the smell of my husband's natural stench without deodorant (not intense body odour after a gym sesh), and he loves my natural musk too. Let this become a part of your life whilst simultaneously preventing intense body odour through the day with natural deodorants.
If your body odour is pungent without sweating, that is a cue from your body for you to look into the health of your body and potentially your hygiene, and no amount or type of deodorant is going to change that for you unless there are other lifestyle changes too.
If you have severe allergies to deodorant (a rash, welts, swelling, etc.) please take due diligence when trialling deodorants. Be sure to do a test patch on one part of the armpit after your nightly shower and monitor the area before going gung-ho.
Did this intrigue you or help you at all? I would love to know! Share this to your Facebook or Instagram and tag @ashsbeautytherapy (facebook + instagram) and @ashlopezherbaut (instagram), or simply shoot me a message.
Lots of Love,
Ash xx
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