My 3 best tips for transitioning to natural deodorant, how to detox and my best suggestions for smelling good – minus the toxins!

Recently I did a poll on my Instagram stories to collect all of your most frequently asked questions when it comes to using natural deodorant – and it turns out the HealthNut community had a LOT of questions about natural deo! I actually addressed a lot of these questions in a recent live stream as well, but since it seems this was such a popular topic I thought I would also do a blog post. 

What’s in conventional deodorant that makes it so bad?

Once you find a good deodorant that you like, I know it can be hard to make the switch. So let’s talk about those toxic ingredients that can be found in conventional deodorant, and the health concerns linked to these ingredients! Some of the worst offenders include: fragrance (parfum), aluminum, phthalates, talc, BHT, and mineral oil. 

These ingredients have been linked to many health issues including hormonal imbalances, infertility, respiratory irritation, allergic reactions, cancer, and autoimmunity. Artificial fragrance is one of the first things to look out for, as it typically contains a cocktail of thousands of chemicals which have been linked to chronic health issues. A great resource is Think Dirty or the Environmental Working Group Healthy Living App – which you can use to scan products and see how clean or toxic they really are!  

Exposing yourself to these chemicals on a daily basis could have serious health risks especially over a long period of time! Especially since we apply deodorant to such a sensitive area of your body. This is why it’s so important to use non-toxic deodorant and personal care products! If you’d like to learn more about toxins in skincare and text your knowledge, try taking the quiz:

1. Expect to Sweat

One of the most frequently asked questions I’ve been getting about natural deodorant is “Do natural deodorants work as an antiperspirant?”And the answer is no. But don’t sweat it (pun intended) – that’s a good thing!I think there’s a big misconception out there that sweating is gross and bad. Advertising for conventional anti-perspirant have been leading us to believe this for years. But antiperspirant actually contains aluminum, which stops you from sweating. This blocks your pores and actually traps harmful toxins in your body! We sweat for a reason – it’s part of your body’s natural detoxification process. Research has shown that aluminum exposure has been linked to several chronic diseases, and heavy metal toxicity. No thank you! 

Once you detox from conventional deodorant, you will sweat less AND you won’t stink as much because you’ll have detoxed all those toxins, which are actually contributing to those stinky pits! And some other good news – arrowroot powder naturally soaks up moisture. So when you’re switching to a natural deodorant, look for arrowroot as an ingredient because it will help to keep you a little more dry! We’ve included arrowroot powder in our Pit Refresh deodorant, and it works so well.

2. Expect to Detox

During the transition to using a natural deodorant, you may find that you get a reaction (itchy pits, or a rash). If you’ve been using conventional deodorant or antiperspirant for years, it can take 2-4 weeks to detox and release all of the aluminum in your pits that’s been preventing you from sweating. 

During this time, you might notice that you’re a little more stinky than usual. While sweat doesn’t actually stink, the bacteria on your skin that breaks down acids in your sweat is what produces the B.O.! You may be able to help your body along during this detox phase by applying either a clay mask or activated charcoal mask to your pits. To do this, you will need about 2 tbsp bentonite clay or activated charcoal + 3-4 tbsp of water. Mix them together and apply the paste to your pits (just like you would with a face mask). Let the mask sit for 10 minutes on your pits before you wash it off, and repeat daily or as needed while you detox from conventional deo!

3. Stick it Out

My last tip for you while transitioning to natural deodorant is to stick it out! I promise, if you can get past the first few weeks of detox, you will not regret it! It can take a few weeks for your armpits to detox all the toxins from conventional deodorant. After you’ve gone through the detox period, the natural deodorant will begin to work and you will never look back! If you’re finding that your pits still get irritated, try to avoid applying deodorant right after shaving. A good idea is to shave at night and let your skin heal & breath, then apply your deodorant in the morning. And lastly, don’t forget to moisturize your pits because they need love to!

Finding the Best Natural Deodorant

Another one of the most frequently asked questions I get when it comes to natural deodorants is “how do I find one that actually works?” Well, HealthNuts I’ve taken the guess work out for you! If you’re still looking for a perfect natural deodorant that actually works – you need to try BeautyNut Skincare Pit Refresh! Formulated with all-natural ingredients such as organic safflower oil, arrowroot powder, shea butter and 100% pure essential oils. Infused with bergamot, lime, and blood orange essential oils for a refreshing citrus aroma.

Pit Refresh is the perfect way to transition from conventional deodorant to a 100% natural option. To apply, use a dime-size amount of cream deodorant onto your fingertip and apply it evenly to your underarm until smooth.

If you liked this post, you might also enjoy reading about My Simple & Natural Skincare Routine for more natural & non-toxic skincare swaps! You can also check out my Natural Beauty page to see all of my skincare favourites!