Natural Deodorant

 Transitioning & Detoxing

Antiperspirants & Deodorants

Antiperspirants have various purposes and work in different ways. Some shrink sweat glands while others clog pores. This action hinders the sweat glands’ primary function of regulating temperature, release sweat, and expelling byproducts related to metabolism. Scientific discoveries explain how aluminum compounds contained in antiperspirants possess a number of possible health risks such as hormonal imbalances and a higher risk of Alzheimer’s. While antiperspirants are accompanied by unpleasant side effects, the simple actions of deodorant are to inhibit bacteria and provide fragrance to the underarm. This is why the use of deodorant is believed by many people to be the safest and the healthiest option.

Making the Switch

When switching from antiperspirants to deodorant, your pores and sweat glands will begin to unclog and function properly. During this transition phase, referred to as “deodorant detox”, lots of toxins and other accumulated body fluid are being pushed out and there’s a possibility of noticing a slight increase in body odor. As a result, people assume the deodorant isn’t working, revert back to using antiperspirants, and are unaware of the changes taking place. Because we firmly believe that antiperspirants should be avoided, we’ve developed helpful tips to make the transition phase much smoother.

NOTE: Deodorant detoxing SHOULD NOT cause rashes. If you are noticing a rash when making the switch to a natural deodorant, and the seller tries to convince you that it's related to detoxing they are unaware and inexperienced about underarm physiology. If you need more information about what causes underarm rashes, feel free to contact us for help.

Deodorant Detox Tips

Our FUNK-FREE Pit Cleanser helps restore your pH balance and eliminates odor causing bacteria. The less bacteria you have to start out with, the less odor you'll end up having by the end of the day.

When switching from antiperspirants, use the new deodorant for at least a week before deciding if it’s the best option for you. ​

Detox! If you normally use antiperspirants then your underarms have harbored a lot of junk – chemical residue, dead skin cells and etcetera. Try dry-brushing your underarms before you hit the tub/shower to slowly increase blood flow and circulation. Another option is to use an exfoliating mitt or loofah under your arms while in the tub/shower. Avoid using anti-bacterial detergents (commercial soap). If possible, only use natural soap to clean your body.

Work, work, work, work, work! Sweat. Exercise. Hit the sauna. Take hot baths. This will cause you to perspire and help your sweat glands to function correctly again. You may notice that sweat under your under your arms is thicker than other areas of the body. This is because the sweat glands in the armpits aren’t the same as other glands. These glands release amino acids in addition to water and sodium. There’s a possibility that toxins have accumulated and are being released since your glands have not been able to excrete amino acids for some time.

Drink lots of water and stay hydrated. Now that you’re perspiring more, replacing the lost fluids is a necessity. Also, the density of your sweat decreases when you are more hydrated. Lowering the amount of fatty and amino acids in sweat creates a difficult environment for bacteria to thrive.

Choose proper clothing. Natural fibers such as hemp, bamboo and cotton will help rid the body of perspiration. Synthetic fibers such as polyester and acetate retain sweat, allowing bacteria moisture for breeding. Sweat is retained in synthetic fabrics, which allows bacteria to start growing in your clothes.

Change your diet by eliminating (or minimizing) red meat. In 2006, a group of researchers based in the Czech Republic tested the theory that consuming red meat leads to increased body odor. Perspiration samples were taken of men who ate red meat and those that don’t. Based on this study, consuming red meat gives you a more unpleasant and pungent smell. Consuming red meat contributes to higher levels of fatty acids. Thus, more fatty acids and proteins are released through the apocrine glands and provides more “food” to aid in the growth and multiplication of bacteria. The result is a more intense body odor. However, meat eaters aren’t the only ones with body odor issues. There are still a lot of smelly vegetarians and vegans. Genetics has a big effect on our body odor, so it may boil down to what works best for you.

Stay as clean as possible. Because you’re sweating more, you may need to clean more than before. Be sure to wash your underarms thoroughly with soap and warm water. It’s VERY important that any odor be completely washed away while bathing or showering. Let the soap to stay on your body for at least 30 second before rinsing with water. This helps to remove bacteria and extract odor.