I've been using natural deodorant for the past few months and I can honestly say that I'm happy with the decision I've made. I'll never go back to using antiperspirant deodorant for reasons I've explained in my previous blog post (check it out here: Why I made the switch to natural deodorant). Finding a natural deodorant that works, is affordable, and can be purchased in store has been a long time mission of mine. It's taken me a couple of years, but I'm happy to say that I found two that fit the criteria. I'm genuinely pleased with each of these deodorants and use them interchangeably, otherwise I wouldn't be speaking of either on my blog.
Before I expound on these two deodorants, let me just say that switching to natural deodorant takes some adjusting. Your underarms will be a little more moist than you're used to, they might even smell a little funny, emphasis on the might. Don't be alarmed, your pores are simply getting used to breathing since they are no longer being plugged by aluminum. As you already know, sweating is a normal bodily function. It's how the body cools and detoxifies itself, just because your underarms are slightly more moist than you're used to, doesn't mean that you stink. Without further a do, lets jump into these two affordable natural deodorants that keep you smelling fresh by fighting odor and absorbing moisture.
Schmidt's Deodorant:
Schmidt's is an all natural deodorant with all natural ingredients that help neutralize odor and absorb wetness. It does not contain aluminum, propylene glycol, or any artificial fragrances. The Schmidt's deodorant line has several fragrances to choose from including a fragrance free option. I'm currently using the lavender and sage scent which smells lovely. To be honest, I really wasn't expecting to find this deodorant at Walmart. On the contrary, I thought I'd find it at a health food store retailing for $9 (its original retail value). However, Walmart sells this product for only $4.72 and I'll take $4.72 over $8.99 any day. That may seem a little pricey for deodorant, but when you compare five dollars to ten or seventeen dollars, in the realm of natural deodorant that's a steal. Not to mention, you don't have to pay for shipping because Schmidt's is sold at Walmart and Target.
You might be thinking, "Yeah that's cool and all but does it work?" The answer is yes. A little goes a long way, it's long-lasting, and holds up well even on gym days. When I wear this deodorant I hardly ever need to reapply because it doesn't lose its strength throughout the day. Although I prefer a gel formula, this deodorant is a solid deodorant. The directions for use advise you to hold it momentarily to your skin. This way your body heat can soften it on contact when applying. Do follow the instructions! This product is grainy in texture and if you don't warm it up by holding it to your skin for a few seconds, it will feel rough when you apply it onto your underarms.
Schmidt's is also a unisex brand meaning that it is suitable for both sexes. My boyfriend is currently using the charcoal and magnesium scent, and his only complaint is that it stains his shirts gray in the underarm area. This could be because the charcoal and magnesium deodorant is dark gray as it contains charcoal, but it does come off when washed. I didn't have any staining issues with the lavender and sage scent.
Arm and Hammer Essentials Deodorant:
Arm and Hammer Essentials Deodorant is a natural deodorant made with natural plant extracts, and pure baking soda that fights and absorbs odor. This deodorant does not contain aluminum, parabens, colorants, or animal-derived ingredients. Arm and Hammer Essentials can also be found at Walmart for $1.88 and at Target for $2.89. I'm currently using the Fresh scent and the name of this scent describes it perfectly. This deodorant is also a unisex brand and my boyfriend prefers this deodorant over the Schmidt's brand. He is currently using the Clean scent which smells like fresh linen, there is also an unscented option. The Arm and Hammer Essentials deodorant has a gel formula, which I love because it's light and goes on smooth. The lasting power this deodorant has is pretty decent. I do bring it with me throughout the day so that I can reapply it after a few hours as it does loose a bit of strength.
Most natural deodorants, such as the Arm and Hammer Essentials deodorant use baking soda to absorb moisture in the underarm region. This can cause irritation of the skin for some people. I experienced some irritation when I applied this product after shaving my underarms. I felt a burning sensation strong enough to make my eyes water but it subsided after a few seconds. Sometimes this reaction happens because your underarms are adjusting to the baking soda or because your underarm region was sensitive due to shaving. It has been said that it is safe to continue the use of natural deodorants that contain baking soda, even though a reaction occurred as the pH level of your underarms will adjust. However, if a continual reaction happens and it is painful, discontinue your use of the product. You can opt for the sensitive skin formulas, or the fragrance free options. Both options are normally formulated for sensitive skin.
Although the Arm and Hammer Essentials deodorant does not contain aluminum, parabens, colorants, or animal-derived ingredients, it does contain propylene glycol and its by-product dipropylene glycol. I've done some extensive research on these two chemical compounds and what I have found is that research on both of these ingredients are pretty obscure, but they are deemed safe by the FDA when used at the correct concentration. Some companies use propylene glycol that are produced from petrochemicals while others use propylene glycol that are manufactured from a plant-based by-product of the biofuel industry (blog.honest.com). In regard to the Arm and Hammer Essentials deodorant, their website states that "all the ingredients are safe at the levels used." Being that they use natural plant extracts in formulation of this deodorant, one can assume that they use plant-based propylene glycol, but there is no statement of this on their website. However, this information does not make me dislike the product.
As I stated earlier, I use both of these deodorants interchangeably and I'm pleased with each. I tend to gravitate more towards the Arm and Hammer Essentials deodorant because of its gel formula. I have always enjoyed using gel versus solid deodorant but that's just my preference. However, if I know that I'm going to be in a humid environment for most of the day and I don't want to have to reapply, I will wear the Schmidt's natural deodorant because its lasting power is a little stronger than the Arm and Hammer Essentials deodorant. This might be because the Arm and Hammer Essentials deodorant is a gel, and since it's a gel it's lighter than the Schmidt's deodorant. The Schmidt's deodorant is solid in consistency making it a bit thicker and less soluble. However, this doesn't mean that the Arm and Hammer Essentials deodorant wears off easily. If you apply enough it does hold up, but after a few, hours it might start to lose some strength. The same goes for the Schmidt's deodorant, only it might not loose strength as easily because it's thicker in consistency.
I've had these deodorants for two months now, and it doesn't seem as though I will be needing to hit the store for repurchase anytime soon. What I love the most about these deodorants is that they don't buildup on my skin. In the past, when I used antiperspirant deodorant it was tough to remove, soap and water wasn't cutting it. Regardless of how well I thought I cleaned my underarms, the day-to-day layers of deodorant where sitting on my skin with questionable chemicals. That's no longer a problem for me thanks to the Schmidt's and Arm and Hammer Essential deodorants.
So there you have it, two of the most affordable, effective, natural deodorants that can be found at your local drugstore. If you can't find either of these at your local drugstore, you can purchase them on their respective websites or on the Walmart and Target websites. I recommend purchasing both deodorants from Walmart as it offers the most affordable price for each. I hope this blog post was helpful to you if you've been on the hunt for an economical yet effective natural deodorant.
Love,
Des.
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