Clean deodorant.
That phrase reminds me of the scene from the Lion King when the hyenas are saying "Mufasa" and shuddering [toddler mom alert]... because clean deodorant was one of the BIGGEST pain points for me on my safer swap journey. It makes me shudder! (Also my kid is obsessed with the Lion King).
Psst.. if you need help getting started on your own journey check out my How to Ditch + Switch to Safer Products post.
Eventually, I landed on Primally Pure's charcoal deodorant but didn't love the darker color and I still got really nervous about wearing it for "public" or "important" events. Note - I still do recommend this option, it just had a couple areas of improvement for me.
Mid-2020, Beautycounter sent their new deodorant to consultants and I crossed my fingers. PLEASE let this solve my natural deodorant problems.
At first, I was disappointed. As it can happen sometimes, there is a learning curve with a new product.
You need ONE SWIPE. Truly, 1 swipe per pit.
When I started wearing it, I was using 2-3 swipes and it was piling/rolling into balls and I was so sad. Until I thought about skincare - the same thing can happen when you have too much - too much is not a good thing.
So I tried one swipe and I was happy with the performance! I had 0 irritation and no smell (even for a scented deo, I prefer unscented actually).
My Pros:
- EWG verified and leaping bunny certified #safeandclean
- Neutralized any body odor
- Passed a workout test (no smell and not overly sweaty)
- Underarm feels soft and smooth
- Refillable container >> super excited about this!
- Keep underarms pretty dry (sweating isn't a bad thing - more on that below)
My Cons:
- I wish there was either an unscented or more gender-neutral scent. Right now, I use the coconut (there are 3 - clean rose, fresh coconut, soft lavender).
- A little pricey (but more manageable with a consultant discount or member perks). However, being refillable and lasting a long time with minimal product needed may be an off-set (haven't run the math yet).
Even if you have been sensitive to natural deodorants in the past, I'd give this option a try. 100% of users say it was non-irritating, does that like ever happen!? Beautycounter has a wonderful free 60-day return policy (no questions asked) if you don't love it. Shop Clean Deodorant >
The Clean Deo
Safer. Sustainable. Stain-Free.
This long-lasting natural deodorant is designed to neutralize odor and absorb sweat to keep you feeling fresh all day! NO aluminum or synthetic fragrances. It will easily glide on without white residue and won't stain your clothes!
Why The Clean Deo is Great
Cornstarch and baking soda: work together to help absorb wetness and keep skin dry, while also helping to neutralize body odor.
Coconut oil and shea butter: natural emollients rich in essential fatty acids and nutrients to help skin feel hydrated, nourished, and smooth.
Candelilla wax and beeswax: aid in conditioning and hydrating skin.
Refillable case
EWG Verified and Leaping Bunny Certified
Great for all skin types
Why is it a Safer Deodorant?
Safer Ingredients: Formulated without aluminum—which can potentially clog pores and hinder the body’s natural detoxification process— plus, no synthetic fragrances.
Stringent Screening & Safety Testing: All the fragrances in Beautycounter products are rigorously screened. The Clean Deo fragrances were tested for trace contaminants to ensure they meet BC's rigorous safety standards. All fragrance ingredients are also disclosed on the ingredient list, so you know exactly what is in each one.
Sustainability: By making this deodorant refillable and recyclable, its water, fossil fuel, and greenhouse gas emissions are cut by an estimated 47%; the refillable case helps minimize waste in landfills.*
*BC uses a leading Life Assessment tool to compare the environmental impacts of packaging alternatives.
If you are new to natural deodorant, we have to chat. It's not exactly a 1-1 swap. Think of removing sugar from your diet, there's usually a transition period. The same is true when swapping to natural deodorant. (I briefly mentioned this in my Clean Up Well: Personal Care Product edition post.)
Why + How to Transition to Natural Deodorant
Why switch to natural?
1) You have a lot of lymph nodes in your armpits. You are putting ingredients onto/into those glands with every application.
2) There are a lot of harmful ingredients in deodorants. For example:
aluminum (heavy metal + neurotoxin)
triclosan (pesticide according to FDA and probably carcinogen by the EPA),
propylene glycol (the active ingredient in antifreeze!)
Switching can be a process and you may go through a transition phase. During the transition, you may notice:
an increase in sweat. Now that aluminum is out, often found in antiperspirants, your glands are no longer blocked and can release fluids. This is actually a good thing for our detox pathways and health, not so great for our social life.
an increase in odor. Another not so fun side effect, but the increase in moisture and sweat can interact with odor-causing bacteria. Plus, your hormones and what you are detoxifying can cause odors.
Try to remain positive - ultimately, it is GREAT to switch to a natural deodorant, truly.
To speed up the process, use Beautycounter's Charcoal Facial Mask 1x a week on your armpits and wash daily with the Charocal Cleansing Bar (charcoal can help with detoxification!) You could alternatively use the Counterman Charcoal Body Bar or Body Wash.