When you walk down the beauty aisle or stroll past a drugstore display, it’s hard to miss all the natural deodorants now available. Thanks to advancements in biological chemistry, these aluminum-free products have found a way to stop odor-causing bacteria without using chemicals or blocking your sweat glands with antiperspirants.
During the first week of switching from antiperspirant to aluminum-free deodorant, your body will need time to get used to not plugging your sweat glands. Applying your new deodorant frequently during this period, especially after a shower or bath. Wearing light, breathable clothes that don’t stick to your underarms will also help during this time. And remember, some people have a “detox period” where they sweat more than usual while they adjust to life without aluminum. Visit https://www.thelittlehomesteadco.com/ to learn more.
The biggest reason for switching to an aluminum free deodorant is to avoid the white marks left behind on clothing from the aluminum that’s found in antiperspirants. These stains are caused by the aluminum rubbing off your underarms onto your clothes and then mixing with moisture to create an odor that’s difficult to remove from light fabrics. Thankfully, our natural aluminum-free deodorants are formulated to prevent these stains and leave your skin feeling soft and fresh instead of sticky and irritated.
Aluminum-free deodorants are made with a wide variety of clean ingredients and are gentle on your skin, so they won’t clog pores like regular antiperspirant. Plus, they don’t contain the chemicals that can cause irritation and are often packaged in hard-to-recycle plastic. Our goat milk deodorant stick, for example, is aluminum-free, comes in a clear roll-on bottle and contains skin-beneficial ingredients that keep your odor under control while being gentle on the underarms.
Some research links aluminum to increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and cancer, so for many people, an aluminum-free alternative simply makes sense. For others, it’s about avoiding the unnecessary toxins and making sure they’re not using a product that could possibly be causing harm to their health.
Either way, more and more people are becoming conscious of what they put on their bodies, including the ingredients in everyday products like deodorant. And with the growing pile of evidence suggesting that aluminum-based products can be harmful, it’s easy to see why more and more people are choosing to switch to aluminum free deodorant.
Prevents White Marks on Clothes
The aluminum found in antiperspirants and deodorant-antiperspirants creates a gel layer over the sweat ducts that blocks the flow of perspiration, but it also has been linked to breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. While experts haven’t determined a direct link, some are choosing to avoid the ingredient entirely in favor of a more natural, skin-friendly option.
However, deodorant without aluminum can leave white marks on clothes if it contains baking soda or powders like arrowroot and talc. The best way to prevent this is to choose a deodorant that goes on clear and doesn’t have a chalky texture. Our top picks below all pass the black shirt test, so you can feel confident they won’t leave streaks behind when you wear them.
If you do notice a white stain on your clothes, try soaking the area in a mixture of one-to-one water and distilled vinegar. This will help remove the white residue and brighten your shirt up for a clean, fresh look.
Many conventional deodorants contain preservatives that can cause irritation to the skin and disrupt your body’s natural microbiome. This can lead to a number of health concerns, including irritated and itchy armpits and other problems. Our aluminum free deodorants use natural ingredients that won’t irritate your underarms or alter the balance of your skin microbiome.
Another problem with conventional deodorants and antiperspirants is that they often contain toxic chemicals such as triclosan, which kills the bacteria that causes odors but may also increase your risk of certain long-term health issues. Our aluminum free deodorants are made with safe, effective ingredients that keep you smelling great without causing any health issues.
We know you care about what you put on your body, so we’ve selected only natural products that use organic and non-GMO ingredients, cruelty-free and vegan. We also only work with brands that are environmentally conscious and donate to charitable organizations. And, because the packaging is made from recycled plastic, you’re reducing your carbon footprint with every swipe.
Reduces Underarm Irritation
If you’re switching from antiperspirant to aluminum free deodorant, it is possible that your underarms may experience some discomfort. This usually occurs when you’re switching to a new product that contains ingredients that your skin isn’t used to, such as fragrance, talc, baking soda and other chemicals. The good news is that it typically won’t last long and it doesn’t mean the aluminum free deodorant isn’t working. If you notice that your underarms are red, itchy or irritated, you’ll want to identify which ingredient or combination of ingredients is responsible for this reaction and find an alternative.
If underarm irritation is a concern for you, this aluminum free deodorant from Dove will keep you feeling fresh all day and night without any of the extra chemicals you don’t want on your body. This formula is gentle enough for the most sensitive underarms and is formulated with nourishing shea butter and glycerin to keep your pits soft, smooth and healthy. It’s infused with the brand’s signature alpine caribou moss complex to penetrate deep into your pores and provide lasting odor protection.
The formula is free from baking soda, aluminum, phthalates and parabens so it’s safe for most skin types. It also uses the brand’s advanced odor-fighting technology that combines thyme oil and mandelic acid to neutralize body odor caused by sweat and other everyday sources like food, stress and smoke. It’s dermatologist tested and even helps prevent white marks on your clothes thanks to its anti-staining properties.
Many people experience a detox period when they stop using their old antiperspirant and switch to an aluminum free deodorant. This happens because years of aluminum salts plugging up your sweat ducts means that you have to recalibrate to your natural sweating process again. This can cause your underarms to feel drier than usual and can lead to unpleasant odor.
If you’re experiencing this, try switching to a different scent of this Dove deodorant or use it every other day to avoid the detox feeling and allow your underarms to get used to the aluminum free deodorant. It may also help to re-think the way you wash your underarms and consider adding in some abrasive exfoliation to keep them looking clear of excess buildup.
Stops Odor
When you use traditional antiperspirants, aluminum salts form a temporary gel-like plug over your sweat ducts, which inhibits your body’s natural process of regulating perspiration and reduces unwanted odor. Unfortunately, this method of preventing body odor can cause skin irritation and is also linked to health issues such as Alzheimer’s and breast cancer. For these reasons, many people have chosen to switch to aluminum-free deodorants, which are just as effective in controlling odor but do not interfere with your body’s natural process.
However, as you make the transition to a new deodorant, it is important to note that it will take time for your body to readjust to a natural approach to sweating and odor control. This is often referred to as an armpit detox phase and can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. This is normal and can be helped by choosing a cooler season to start and keeping some cleansing wipes on hand to use in between applications of your new deodorant.
Additionally, you may notice that your shirts smell a little strange for a short amount of time as the bacteria in your pits adjust to the change in chemicals. This will soon disappear as your body becomes accustomed to the aluminum-free deodorant.
Deodorants without aluminum do not block perspiration but rather eliminate odors by targeting the underlying bacteria that live off of the body’s naturally occurring sweat proteins. These deodorants can be found in a variety of scents to suit your personal preferences and are usually made with natural ingredients such as coconut oil, corn starch and aloe vera.
It is also a good idea to avoid odor-control products that contain astringents such as alcohol, which are very drying for the skin. Our aluminum-free deodorants are free from these ingredients and are instead made with gentle botanical extracts and nourishing coconut oil that soothe the skin.
Although it will take a few weeks for your body to adjust to a new aluminum-free deodorant, the results will be well worth it. You will be happier with your skin and more confident in your body’s ability to regulate itself than you would be with the potentially harmful effects of traditional antiperspirants.