Do natural deodorants really work?

Natural deodorants could also be a good alternative for people who have tried many conventional antiperspirants and deodorants and have discovered that their skin is sensitive to them. However, once again, it's important to remember that natural aluminum-free deodorants do not prevent sweating, they only mask its smell.

Natural deodorant

is no better or worse for your health than traditional deodorant or antiperspirant. Before we can continue to discuss the switch to a natural deodorant, we need to clarify something.

Antiperspirants and deodorants work differently in their methods to reduce body odor, says Aragona Giuseppe, MD, GP and medical advisor to Prescription Doctor. In a nutshell, an antiperspirant will contain aluminum. The function of aluminum is to reduce perspiration by preventing sweat from leaving the body, thus stopping adverse odor and keeping the body dry. On the contrary, a deodorant works to neutralize natural body odor by masking it.

Ingredients such as witch hazel, shea butter and beeswax have soothing agents for burns caused by the razor and can also help reduce pores. Other ingredients you'd want are soothing, creamy ingredients, such as coconut oil and moisture-wicking vegetable powders, Raff says. Water, alcohol and glycerin are also warning signs. These are fillers and mean there are fewer odour-fighting active ingredients in the formula.

These filler ingredients also introduce bacteria into the formula and then require the use of preservatives, which are no longer natural, Raff says. How to find out what your dreams really mean Signs that your loved ones might be trying to contact you from the other side Download the Watch OWN app and access OWN anytime, anywhere. Watch full episodes and live stream OWN whenever and wherever you want. The Watch OWN app is free and available as part of your OWN subscription through a participating TV provider.

You may go a couple of days or even a week without noticing much difference between your antiperspirant and your natural deodorant. In terms of personal care, natural alternatives, from toothpaste and deodorant to shampoo and body lotion, seem to be everywhere. Some natural deodorant brands have touted their products as “microbiome friendly”, stating that they are not only good for skin health, but they also minimize odor by promoting the growth of “good bacteria”. Because normal, natural deodorants don't contain aluminum (which is what helps antiperspirants minimize sweating), they generally rely on ingredients such as fragrances and baking soda to mask body odor.

Now, 10 years after my transition to natural deodorant, I finally see natural varieties that give free rein to conventional hygiene. Experts said they weren't aware of any studies that reliably looked at how well natural deodorants work. My choice to switch to a natural deodorant was simple, but the transition didn't go as well as I had planned. Finding the right natural deodorant for you can involve a bit of trial and error, like looking for a favorite pair of jeans.

And while natural deodorants may contain seemingly healthier ingredients than conventional pharmacy antiperspirants, they can also contain substances that can irritate the skin. Natural fibers such as cotton, bamboo and linen are your new best friends, since natural fibers are much more breathable and both sweat and bacteria won't be trapped inside. Worse, “you'll often see someone get a rash with a natural deodorant and put on balms and other 'natural' remedies that contain more of the same ingredients, Dr. However, although the experts were not aware of any rigorous, face-to-face studies comparing the effectiveness of natural deodorants.

Compared to antiperspirants, it stands to reason that they don't counteract odor in the same way an antiperspirant does. .