The Natural Deodorant Difference
When I committed to my first Whole30 journey last September, I also decided that I wanted to make a conscious effort to clean up the products that I was using on my skin, starting with my deodorant!
Believe it or not, your deodorant really does impact your overall health! Sweating is crucial in regulating body temperature and releasing toxins, but the antiperspirants and chemicals in conventional deodorants prevent these important functions from happening. During a workout when our body temperature rises, our pores open and any product that we put on will be more greatly absorbed into our systems, and ultimately, directly into our bloodstreams. Some studies even suggest that the anti-perspirants in conventional deodorants may contribute to the development of breast cancer. For these reasons alone, it is so important that we use a clean deodorant, especially when we’re LEVELING UP daily!
But don’t sweat it (pun intended)! Thankfully, I have tried practically every natural deodorant on that market and have landed on one that I swear by. Native Deodorants are free of aluminium, parabens, and sulfates, and are sold at affordable price points. They also come in so many fresh fragrances that you’re sure to find one you love. Native even has fragrance-free and sensitive skin options available, too! Some of my favorite scents are Cucumber & Mint, Lavender & Rose, and Pink Grapefruit & Elderflower.
Native’s clean ingredients work together to keep you healthy, while still withstanding the test of an intense LEVEL UP session. The coconut oil, milk of magnesia, and baking soda have natural antibacterial properties; the tapioca starch acts as a natural antiperspirant, while the shea butter and coconut oil keep your underarm skin hydrated.
Disclaimer: be prepared for a slightly-smelly-transition! It can take at least a week (or longer) to detoxify, especially if you have been using conventional antiperspirant deodorant for years. You might find that you’re a little more sweaty than usual as your body transitions to natural deodorant, but that’s okay! Just reapply as needed throughout the day while your body adjusts. This slight, temporary, inconvenience is SO worth it for a healthier you and for the protection of your long-term health. Plus, there’s no better time to make the transition than while we’re still quarantining/social distancing!
I’ve found that a charcoal bar of soap really aids in a smooth transition to using only natural products. Charcoal is a naturally detoxifying agent that rids the underarms of contaminated build-up from conventional antiperspirant/deodorant, while acting as a gentle exfoliant.
All-in-all, it’s a healthier choice to use clean, chemical-free products! Especially while LEVELING UP, we need to be mindful of both what we put in and on our bodies so that we can be the healthiest, best versions of ourselves.
