If anything is ingrained in our life pattern it is the use of deodorant. Aerosols with that heady smell or bottles of sticky sealant. After all, you want to go through life as fresh and sweat-free as possible. What you may not know is that those standard rollers and sprays contain special ingredients that even we, by now, turn our noses up at. Because if you need to detox from a deodorant that you have been carelessly using for years, the place smells pretty bad.
Ever since adolescence you have undoubtedly emptied, sprayed and rolled hundreds of tubes, aerosols and deo sticks. Of course, as you got older, you had to keep it smelling like flowers under your armpits. Or that very pungent perfume smell that just barely blinded you and those around you.
Maybe for once it would be good to know exactly what you are spraying, smearing or rolling under your arms. That this, in the long run, is actually not a very good idea to keep doing. After all, it can be much more natural, effective and healthy.
Also check out our article on the' Top 10 best natural deodorant for men'.
How come your sweat stinks?
Everyone sweats. A little less in winter but in general, perspiration takes place 24/7. Even when you sleep. Which is a good thing, because waste products need to pass through your pores. Sweating also keeps your body temperature stable. Sweat itself doesn't smell. However, the bacteria that feed on sweat do.
As the bacteria mix with the sweat, waste products are produced and then excreted by the bacteria. It is precisely this chemical process that can create an intoxicating odor in the armpit area.
The scalding under the armpits creates fats that convert sebum and sweat into butyric acid, caproic acid and mercaptans. The latter 3 unfortunately cause that violently penetrating odor. By the way, food also affects excessive sweating. Garlic, for example. Of course, you can't rub your whole body with (natural) deo. But let's focus on the 2 odor spreading islands: the armpits
What bad substances do you find in home, garden and kitchen deodorants?
What you find in the most commonly sold deodorants are parabens, aluminum, alcohol, S(L)ES and triclosan, for example. These are foreign to the body and therefore harmful substances that acutely eliminate odor bacteria but can also harm your health in the long run.
For example, aluminum clogs the pores under the armpits, preventing you from sweating, which is a necessity for a human body. Let's name some of the properties of the above ingredients.
- Aluminum: is also absorbed by the skin and enters your system where DNA can cause damage. Bones and nervous system can also be affected if too much is accumulated. There is even a link to the presence of aluminum in the body and Alzheimer's disease.
- Triclosan: not only kills the bad bacteria that cause the smell but also the good bacteria in our body. It can also wreak havoc on hormone balance.
- Parabens: also called synthetic preservatives. Parabens are found in many personal care products. Not all parabens are necessarily bad, but there are harmful varieties. Not proven, but the components in parabens could be harmful to organs and affect hormone levels.
- S(l)ES: in full Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. This stuff degreases and dries out the skin. It can also make you itch and cause the skin to flake.
When you consider the above, you have to ask yourself whether you should add these chemical deodorants to your shopping cart. Fortunately, there are also plenty of ways you can tackle foul sweat odors without all these grim ingredients.
You can do so naturally and organically. Although your body will have to adjust to that. The body will have to detox from all the harmful substances that you have actually been using all your life before the natural DEO becomes 100% effective.
What you need to know when switching to a natural deodorant?
We will let you out of the dream right away that when you switch to a purely natural deodorant there may not be an immediate effect. You can get lucky of course but generally the body has to get used to the new way of sweat management.
Most standard products, due to the bad ingredients present, made you stop perspiring under the armpits. By clogging pores or using overpowering perfume. Your body has gotten used to that over the years and that will have to be phased out. So when you stop using deo you just start sweating again. Develop odor. It is actually very good for your body that it can flow under the arms again.
How do you survive this detox perspiration phase?
No doubt it takes some getting used to when you stop using the usual products and at first you will sweat like hell when you are at a birthday, wedding party or in the office without the standard sweat protection but are equipped with the natural variety.
You have to go through that for a while. The detox process takes about 2 to 4 weeks. By the way, the effect is different for each individual. Some bring with them a fresh smell of sweat and others are not affected at all.
Tips
- Whenever you have the opportunity try to freshen up under the armpits during the day. Washcloth & water for example. Perhaps there is an opportunity to exercise at work? Take advantage of that opportunity. Provided there is also a shower, of course. Have some natural block soap handy and clean up.
- Apply some natural deodorant in between.
Of course, we at The Alpha Men are those guys who like to smell fresh. So we moved away from the usual standard deo products a while back. Purely natural or deodorants without aluminum, alcohol or parabens.
So below we pick out a few phenomenal deodorants for you that they are sure that once you start using them you will never pull a Deo with harmful substances off the shelf again in the short term.
SALT & STONE - Santal & Vetiver (Formula Nº 2)
This 100% organic and vegan deodorant from Salt & Stone is designed for all types of skin. The hyralonic acid in this deodorant moisturizes and conditions the skin. The deodorant contains no aluminum, alcohol, parabens, baking soda, dyes and synthetic fragrances, prevents inflammation and helps soothe the skin. Also, this deodorant does not leave stains, neutralizes foul body odors and makes you smell fresh all day long. The deodorant has the scent of sandalwood, vanilla, jasmine, tonka and amber.
Note: One rub under the armpits is enough. If you use too much, you will get a thick layer under your armpits that cannot be absorbed by your skin. This causes the product to get into your clothes which can eventually cause stains.
Grown Alchemist - Roll-On Deodorant
This vegan roll-on deodorant from Grown Alchemist, with no harmful chemical components, prevents the smell of sweat under the armpits and provides a fresh aroma. The animal-tested deodorant has an aluminum-free plant-based formula, making it suitable for sensitive skin as well. The deodorant is rich in natural active ingredients that absorb sweat, eliminate odor and leave a fresh scent. Also due to the presence of coumarins and triglycerides from Tamanu seed oil, this superior deodorant ensures an optimal microbial balance. The soft scents of sandalwood, orange and Icelandic moss make it a very exclusive deodorant.
Malin+Goetz - Bergamot Deodorant Stick
The iconic Malin + Goetz. With ditto deodorant. The ultimate. This hyper-natural deodorant provides clean and effective armpit odor protection without the use of aluminum, alcohol, baking soda, parabens or synthetic fragrances. Natural bergamot extract inside and probiotic enzymes to neutralize sweat odor. Corn starch on board to absorb excess moisture.The stick glides on smoothly and without residue to keep armpits fresh all day. Suitable for all, and especially sensitive, skin types. It contains a natural and heavenly scent of bergamot, fruit and citrus.
This brand's deodorants are, quite rightly, in almost every top list of best natural deodorants on the market. Malin+Goetz deodorants contain no aluminum, alcohol, baking soda, parabens or synthetic fragrances, making even the most sensitive armpits embrace this deodorant. The bergamot extracts and probiotics really know how to keep foul odors away, and the deodorant also contains a cornstarch that absorbs excess moisture, making your armpits less wet from sweat. So less wet spots under your arms! The roller glides easily over the skin, does not stain and manages to keep odors away all day.