Natural deodorants have come a long way. With 17 options now in the Raw Living range, there’s never been a better time to make the switch, and never been less reason not to. This guide introduces the brands we love, the ingredients they use, and why what you put under your arms is worth thinking about.
🌿 Natural Deodorants: Smell Good, Feel Good, No Compromise
Gone are the days of having to choose between being sweet-smelling, or using unwanted chemicals in one of the most sensitive spots in the body, the armpit. Which we are sure is welcome news on holiday, in the gym and at the club!
🧬 Why the Armpit Matters
The lymphatic system is composed of vessels, nodes and fluid, and is an integral part of the body’s immune system. There are lymph nodes sited under the armpits, so when we put chemicals there, it’s worth being mindful of what we put there.
What we can say is that the armpit is not somewhere we want to be putting unnecessary chemicals, and thankfully, we no longer have to.
There are now 17 different natural deodorants on our site, many with multiple 5-star reviews to assure you of their efficacy.
🌹 Living Libations
Taking the top spot are Living Libations, whose Poetic Pits products are a cult favourite. Designed to augment your natural body scent, rather than mask it, they alchemically transform you into a fragrant bouquet. Cami says of the rose scent: “My all time favorite deodorant. Works better than any other I have ever tried. Small but lasts an eternity.”
There’s seven different fragrances on offer, all equally luxurious. You can find them all here.
Living Libations also do an underarm cream, crafted from some gorgeous essential oils. You can find the four different scents available here.
✨ Simply Divine Botanicals
Equally popular is Simply Divine Botanicals, who use angstrom silver and zinc, as well as 24k gold, to formulate a strong but safe underarm spray. Best-selling is Keeping Abreast Of It, Nina says: “I have been using this for years now and will never use any other one, it’s simply the best.”
They come in handy spray bottles and five different scent options, all available here.
🌀 PurO3
We also have a couple of deodorants from PurO3, who use ozonated jojoba oil to create a gentle, effective roll-on. Vivien says: “Could this be it? The first natural deodorant that works? I tried so many natural deodorants over the years and at first most of them seems to work but then you get used to them and you realise they don’t last the whole day, constant reapplication is required, they let your odour come through, etc. etc. But this seems like it’s working. Works much better than most Sodium bicarbonate based deodorants. Plus, it’s a roll-on, so no messy hand applications! Highly recommended!”
You can find them here.
🌿 The Clay Cure
Our friends at The Clay Cure make two sodium bicarbonate and coconut balms (pictured above). The Clay Cure hand-makes all of their organic, natural balms in Totnes, Devon. One is scented with white rose & lotus, the other features frankincense.
🥗 The Inside-Out Approach
And remember, the best way to be naturally sweet-smelling is to eat a diet high in organic raw plant foods, and cut out the processed foods and synthetic additives that can affect how we smell from the inside out!
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between a deodorant and an antiperspirant? A: A deodorant works by neutralising odour-causing bacteria, allowing the body to sweat naturally. An antiperspirant works differently, using compounds like aluminium salts to physically block the sweat glands and prevent perspiration altogether.
Q: Why is the armpit particularly sensitive to chemicals? A: The armpit sits directly over a cluster of lymph nodes, part of the lymphatic system, which is an integral part of the body’s immune system. The skin there is also thin and often freshly shaved, making it more permeable than other areas of the body. For these reasons, many people prefer to keep what they apply there as clean and natural as possible.
Q: How long does it take to transition to a natural deodorant? A: Most people find there’s an adjustment period of anywhere from one to four weeks when switching from a conventional antiperspirant. During this time the body readjusts to sweating naturally after having its sweat glands blocked, which can temporarily mean sweating or smelling more than usual. Sticking with it through this period is worth it, most people find that once their body has recalibrated, a good natural deodorant keeps them fresh throughout the day.
Q: What is sodium bicarbonate and how does it work as a deodorant? A: Sodium bicarbonate works as a deodorant by neutralising the acidic compounds produced by odour-causing bacteria. It’s one of the most widely used ingredients in natural deodorants, effective and completely free from synthetic chemicals.
Seventeen natural deodorants, zero unnecessary chemicals. Find your perfect match in the Raw Living natural deodorant range.
