There is no doubt that consumers have started to smarten up to excessive amount of chemicals in our daily grooming routines. Instead of blindly purchasing a tube of toothpaste or a face cleanser that promise the best results, many of us are looking beyond the pretty packaging and zeroing in on that lengthy list of ingredients. Except, it seems, when it comes to all-natural deodorant. I'm often asked by friends and family who have legitimate concerns about breast cancer, "Does natural deodorant, like, even work?" Fortunately, natural companies are getting better at those anti-stench products every day.
Here's the thing: We sweat to cool down our bodies and it's pretty important that we keep sweating. Contrary to popular belief though, sweat is mostly odorless, and it's the bacteria creepin' up in our sweat glands that makes for those stinky moments. Still, most OTC deodorant wearers are looking for a high antiperspirant which really just deals with the moisture.
Those same OTC deodorants, with a few exceptions, market their product to our insecurities. Ain't nobody tryin' to smell bad or have permanent pit stains on all their clothes, which means most people would rather have their deodorants pried from their cold, dead hands before they ever let a little thing like harmful chemicals stop them from this essential purchase.
There are constant arguments being made about linking breast cancer to antiperspirants in deodorant and those of us that have breast cancer in our families are starting to frantically rethink their deodorant routine. The key to addressing this valid concern isn't to ditch deodorant all-together. Instead, you want to get with an all-natural deodorant that has a firm grasp on the understanding of natural ingredients that 1. balance your pH level to further keep that bacterial stank at bay, 2. control sweat glands naturally by increasing blood circulation, and 3. smell delicious.
Of course, you can make your own natural deodorant at home specific to your hormones and needs, but there is one company that, I think, is doing all of the above impeccably well. Meow Meow Tweet is a Brooklyn based company that makes all-natural, vegan beauty products, including, of course, deodorant cream.
Meow Meow Tweet Tea Tree Deodorant Cream, $18, Amazon
Since I'm usually dripping in mango butters, rose water, and/or coconut oil, it's not exactly bad body odor that I'm worried about. My issue is that no matter HOW good I smell or HOW cold it is, I tend to sweat like I've just finished a marathon. That's just how I roll and unfortunately, it means that I typically have to apply those dangerous deodorants a few times a day. Natural deodorants have previously failed me, leaving me in a pool of my own sweat and disappointment. I used Meow Meow Tweet's Tea Tree Deodorant Cream and found that it certainly smelled good (unlike my last natural deodorant that smelled like cough syrup) and, more importantly, it provided dryness for a solid four hours.
Baking Soda Free Deodorant Cream With Lavender, $18, Amazon
My sister was lucky enough to get my mother's sweat glands. This girl can do a 90-minute spin class and leave with just a few adorable sweat beads on her forehead while I look like I was left out in the rain for three days. I figured it would only make sense for her to try to Baking Soda Free Deodorant Cream by Meow Meow Tweet and of course, she was absolutely all about it. The ingredients in the baking soda free cream focuses even more on a balanced pH level and it's perfect for sensitive skin, which my sister has. Not only was skin irritation non-existent with her new natural deodorant, but it kept her underarms dry and smelling delicious.
It's important to keep in mind that we have been conditioned for all-day, harsh protection. If you've used chemical-based deodorants for most of your life there will be an adjustment period to any natural-based deodorant and applying more than once a day does not mean your new, nontoxic deodorant isn't working. IMHO, it's worth a little extra effort to keep your pits chemical-free.
Image: Kyle Jones/Flickr; Giphy; Meow Meow Tweet; Kristin Collins Jackson
