Here's what you need to know when switching to a natural deodorant

Written by Guest Blogger Monica Budd - Co-Founder of the Aotearoad Brand

Vanessa and I often get asked about armpit detoxing and what to expect when switching to a natural deodorant. In the below blog we will cover conventional deodorants, antiperspirants, detoxing, detoxing masks, and the benefits of sweating.

Fragrance (parfum), aluminium, phthalates, talc, BHT, mineral oil and parabens: these ingredients have all been linked to health issues over the years, and yet we still happily slather them on our armpits when using most over the counter deodorants.

Artificial fragrances are one of the worst offenders, containing a cocktail of chemicals that, frankly, should not be applied to such a sensitive part of the body on a daily basis (if at all).

Aluminium, the star ingredient in antiperspirants, is amazing at blocking pores. But... wait... hold on a minute, this stuff blocks up your pores and traps harmful toxins in your body. We sweat for a reason – it’s part of the body’s natural detoxification process. Sweating is our healthy, built-in mechanism for temperature control and detoxification.

One of the most effective ways we eliminate waste through the skin is by sweating.

The narrative around sweating needs to change - if your sweat is clean smelling, it should not be a problem. That is where natural deodorant comes in.

When making the switch to a more natural and body-friendly product, you may encounter a transitional period (as your skin adjusts back to it's natural, healthy state).  You might find that you get a reaction such as itchy pits, or a slight  rash. You might notice that, initially, you’re a little more stinky and a little more sweaty than usual.

If you’ve been using conventional deodorant or antiperspirant for years - this is understandable! There's a LOT of stuff that needs to be cleared out from those pores.

It's important to remember, too, that many people won't experience side-effects when switching. For others, it could take a several weeks to properly detox and unblock all the aluminium that’s been plugging up those pits. Don't give up!!

One clever tip that helps shorten the detoxification is to apply a clay face mask to your pits! Clay face masks can do wonders for detoxing your pits faster. Yes, that’s right folks, apply a face mask to your underarms...

This draws out and removes the build-up of antiperspirant (aluminium). Look for a gentle detoxing facemask with bentonite clay or charcoal, slather on your pits, keep your arms up to let it dry for 10 minutes and then wash it off in the shower. This should help shorten any detox by at least several days and can be repeated if necessary.

As far as we're concerned, the benefits of letting your body function normally and healthily far outweigh any temporary side-effects of switching to a natural deodorant. Our Aotearoad range will allow you to stay clean, safe and continue smelling great. Here’s to happy pits!

How to use Aotearoad Eco Friendly + Body Friendly Deodorant, in 3 EASY STEPS!

Our deodorants take the form of a moisturising bar, and they couldn't be simpler to use! 

1. Remove the top of the cardboard tube and push your finger through the bottom. Expose the deodorant bar by a CM or so.

2. Gently rub the bar onto your skin, in 2 or 3 strokes. Alternatively, you can rub some deodorant onto your fingers, and rub this onto your skin.

3. Enjoy feeling smelling great, and feeling dry and fresh for hours (and without any of the chemical nasties!)