Have you ever wondered… Does natural deodorant really work? The answer is YES, but not everyone finds it easy to make the change from conventional to natural right away. Changing what we know works can be scary, but trust me, some of the ingredients found in conventional deodorants are even scarier, so we’ve put together a guide on how to make the switch to natural deodorant.

What should you expect?

If you’ve decided to trade in your old stick, keep in mind that you may need to tweek your body care routine to make sure the transition is a smooth one. Natural deodorant users swear by an armpit detox (think of it as a clean start). For some people, the thought of a detox may seem too scary to embark on, but it’s so worth it when you realise that for the rest of your life, you will have the security of knowing you are making a healthier life choice every single day.

First, it’s important to understand that many conventional deodorants double as antiperspirants as they have ingredients such as aluminium to help prevent sweating – natural deodorants differ as they are aluminium-free, instead using antibacterial ingredients to help reduce odour without stopping sweat.

How to detox

An armpit detox helps unclog any residual chemicals, toxins and bacteria the area has accumulated before introducing a new deodorant. This may consist of applying purifying masks or moisturisers to help combat sensitivity and reduce any issues that may arise. It’s not necessary, but some people may experience sensitivity when changing from conventional to natural deodorant due to the difference in ingredients.

We recommend mixing bentonite clay, apple cider vinegar, and a bit of water to make the mask. You can also exfoliate your armpits once a week with oat flour (mix flour 1-to-1 with oil or water), then moisturise daily with unscented oil, like coconut, to help with absorption.

The low down

A 2 to 4-week transition period can be expected when making the switch from a conventional deodorant to a natural deodorant.

Week 1

You may go a couple days or even a week without noticing much difference. This is due to the fact that the aluminium compounds in antiperspirant form a gel-like plug and constrict your pores in the underarm – this is what prevents you from sweating!

Week 2

When you stop using antiperspirant, you will experience a substantial increase in growth of odour-causing bacteria. You may also feel additional moisture because your body is sweating, but this is the body’s natural way to flush out toxins.

It’s important to remember that this odour-causing bacteria won’t last forever, it is just a natural part of the detox that happens when you discontinue using antiperspirants.

Week 3

Your bacteria levels may begin to subside. What this means is that your body will stop over-producing odour-causing bacteria and any odour issues you may have noticed will start to decrease.

Week 4

Your body should have fully adjusted to natural deodorant. It can take up to 30 days for your body to regulate itself, though for some the detox stage will be shorter.

Now what natural deodorant should you use?

All Woohoo Body deodorants are award-winning, certified organic, eco-friendly, environment friendly and vegan society-approved suitable for teens, women and men. They melt easily into the skin while soothing and moisturising your skin. Say no to blocked pores!