Choosing a deodorant was once a relatively easy process but, with increasing awareness of the harm that chemical ingredients can do to our health, it’s now a choice that can make you break out into a sweat.
To help make the process easier, we reveal what you should consider when switching to a natural deodorant.
Why use a deodorant?
The body produces sweat naturally to help cool the body and prevent it from overheating. We all sweat different amounts and some people, such as teenagers going through puberty and people affected by hyperhidrosis, may find that they sweat more than others.
Sweat is acidic and odourless, but when it leaves the body some strains of Gram-positive bacteria on the skin, particularly Staphylococcus hominis, feed and multiply on the salts and nutrients that sweat contains releasing an unpleasant smell commonly known as body odour (BO).
According to the NHS, the more bacteria we have on skin, the worse our BO can be, and for this reason they recommend regularly washing the skin under the armpits. [i]
Releasing BO can be considered anti-social and affect people’s confidence, so scented antiperspirants and deodorants were developed to keep our underarms dry and mask the smell of BO.
Roll-on or aerosol deodorant?
This is down to personal choice but, if you have sensitive skin, it is best to opt for a roll-on product.
This is because aerosols can contain chemicals that have the potential to cause skin irritation, allergic reactions and even breathing difficulties. Aerosol cans are also rarely biodegradable, making roll-ons an all-together more natural choice.
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Ingredients in our mineral and plant-based deodorants
When it comes to choosing a personal care product for your underarms, it is important that you check the label and consider whether the formula is right for you.
Green People products combine natural minerals and plant extracts to create refreshing, organic deodorants that restrict the bacteria that cause BO, whilst also caring for the delicate underarm skin.
Ingredients you’ll see on our deodorant labels include:
- Prebiotics: To promote the growth of beneficial, protective bacteria in the skin and inhibit the growth of bacteria that causes BO.
- Zinc ricinoleate: This mineral helps stop odour molecules from becoming airborn.
- Potassium alum: This mineral salt helps prevent body-odour causing bacteria from multiplying without blocking the pores.
- Aloe Vera: A plant-based ingredient known to help regulate the acidic balance of the skin.
- Shea Butter: This natural ingredient has anti-inflammatory properties to help soothe the skin.
Ingredients that you won’t find in our products include parabens, alcohol, aluminium or chemically-blended perfumes.
Instead we fragrance our range of organic deodorants using natural scents from essential oils, or if you have particularly sensitive skin, our Scent Free Deodorant is free from all essential oils.
How do antiperspirants and deodorants differ?
Antiperspirants work by blocking the pores and therefore the natural process of perspiration which is an essential function of the body. Most of our customers would not want this and it is not achievable by natural means.
In the past, this has been achieved by chemical ingredients, such as aluminium, which blocks the pores to trap sweat inside the body.
In recent years concerns have grown that applying aluminium-compounds to the underarm could not only make us sweat more by increasing our tolerance to antiperspirants, but could also contribute to causing health conditions such as breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease [ii].
For this reason, many manufacturers have taken the decision to remove aluminium from their products.
Deodorants do not prevent the body from producing sweat but instead target the bacteria that causes BO. In Green People deodorants, this is achieved through an organic formulation of Prebiotics, Zinc Ricinoleate and Potassium Alum.
Why should use avoid artificial antiperspirants?
- Blocking the pores with aluminium means that the body cannot eliminate toxins through perspiration.
- If sweat tries to escape from plugged-up pores it can cause skin irritation.
- Chemical ingredients can cause inflammation when the antiperspirant is applied.
How to tell if your deodorant is vegan
In recent years customers demand for vegan deodorants has increased with the retail giant Amazon reporting a staggering 900% increase in sales of such products [iii].
The easiest way to determine if a product is vegan is to look for the Vegan Society logo.
Each roll-on in the Green People deodorant range is Vegan Society approved and, to make sure you know exactly what you’re putting on your pits, we’ve clearly marked each of our deodorants with the Vegan Society logo.
What to expect when switching to a natural deodorant
Whenever you make a change to your skincare regime, you skin has to adapt, and this can take time.
At first, you might find that switching from a chemical-based antiperspirant to a natural deodorant causes changes to the amount you sweat.
This is natural and should resolve quickly, leaving you with soft, fresh underarms with pores that can breathe.
The safe natural earth minerals and plant extracts in Green People’s range of seven roll-on deodorants work together in a three-way action and, when used together with good basic hygiene, they’ll provide you with safe, scented, natural freshness, free-from chemicals that suppress the vital function of perspiration.
Have you switched from an antiperspirant to a natural deodorant? Let us know how you got on at @GreenPeopleUK. If you have any questions our UK customer care team is happy to help. Just call us on 01403 740350.
[i] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/body-odour/
[ii] https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/myths/antiperspirants-fact-sheet
[iii] http://www.womenshealthmag.co.uk/beauty-style/skin/7812/vegan-deodorant-sales/
