Hello! A bit of a different article today. I'm talking about why natural deodorants are better for you.
There are many "natural" alternatives available these days, like crystal deodorants (apparently not so good for you, see below), but I've chosen to write about the four brands here. These natural deodorants are all vegan and cruelty-free.
When I use the term "natural", I mean that these products do not contain nasties like parabens, sulfates etc and are generally made from natural ingredients like for example patchouli leaf oil.
Disclaimer: All of the photos here are taken by me. You cannot use them without obtaining my written permission first. These are my personal views and I do not any way guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any message and will not be held responsible for the content of any message.
Here the four brands that I will be discussing with you (I've also included links to where you can purchase them):
A'Kin Geranium & Cedarwood Natural Deodorant - shop it at Priceline here.
Axilla - click here to shop it.
Kopari Coconut Oil Deodorant - click here to shop it.
Myaura Organics - click here to shop them.
I've tested them over a period of a few months.
These were PR Gifts, but this is not a sponsored post.
WHY CHOOSE NATURAL DEODORANTS?
For one, generally most natural deodorants do not contain aluminum. Aluminum is typically found in antiperspirants ("Antiperspirants block sweat glands, reducing perspiration and depriving odor-causing bacteria. Deodorants use antimicrobial substances to kill off bacteria directly"). There is much debate on the "negative effects" of aluminum and how the use of deodorants containing aluminum may lead to cancer and/or Alzheimer's.
Most studies on the bad effects show a correlation between the use of aluminum-based antiperspirants with breast cancer.
To quote a a study by P.D. Dabre, "Aluminium, antiperspirants and breast cancer":
"Clinical studies showing a disproportionately high incidence of breast cancer in the upper outer quadrant of the breast together with reports of genomic instability in outer quadrants of the breast provide supporting evidence for a role for locally applied cosmetic chemicals in the development of breast cancer. Aluminium is known to have a genotoxic profile, capable of causing both DNA alterations and epigenetic effects, and this would be consistent with a potential role in breast cancer if such effects occurred in breast cells." (to read the full article click here).
In another study by Gloria Yiu, "Rapid Communications: Antiperspirant Induced DNA Damage in Canine Cells by Comet Assay", it has been:
"shown that antiperspirants cause DNA damage on a single-cell level. Additionally, our data showed us that in general, Secret Platinum for women and Old Spice for men, produced equivalent damage. Crystal Natural, marketed as being safer or less damaging, induced the most extensive damage of all three antiperspirants tested." (YIKES, not good news if you are into crystal natural antiperspirants).
However, in a fact sheet by the National Cancer Institute has noted that further study is required to determine if indeed the use of aluminum based deodorants do increase the chances of having cancer. (source: click here) This "inconclusiveness" also applies to concerns about using such deodarants contributing to Alzheimer's. One such study that notes this is by Amy Borenstein Graves; Emily White; Thomas D. Koepsell; Burton V. Reifler; Gerald van Belle; and Eric B. Larson: "The association between aluminum-containing products and Alzheimer's disease" (source: click here).
In an article about this issue on livescience.com which included an interview with Dr. Susan Massick, a dermatologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Dr Massick noted that the "The claim that aluminum-containing antiperspirants cause cancer is a myth that has been debunked in the minds of doctors and scientists...". To prove her point, Dr Massick, referred to a study conducted in 2014: "Systematic review of potential health risks posed by pharmaceutical, occupational and consumer exposures to metallic and nanoscale aluminum, aluminum oxides, aluminum hydroxide and its soluble salts." The conclusion of this study was that:
"Aluminum has been held responsible for human morbidity and mortality, but there is no consistent and convincing evidence to associate the Al found in food and drinking water at the doses and chemical forms presently consumed by people living in North America and Western Europe with increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Neither is there clear evidence to show use of Al-containing underarm antiperspirants or cosmetics increases the risk of AD or breast cancer." (click here for source).
My conclusion from my research on the matter is that it seems that the link between aluminum-based antiperspirants and in increasing the chances of cancer and/or Alzheimer's disease requires further study. My thoughts are that as there are natural alternatives, why chance it?
I also note that the natural deodorants I discuss in this article, in addition to not having aluminum in them, do not contain the nasties which have been found to be toxic (or potentially toxic in high dosages), such as parabens; sulfates; zinc and triclosan. I have included the full ingredients list for each one below.
If you are very concerned about toxic chemical exposure (even more so in the case for women trying to conceive; are pregnant and/or are breast feeding). There is a very interesting book by Gillian Deacon "There's Lead in Your Lipstick: Toxins In Our Everyday Body Care And How To Avoid Them".
THE FOUR NATURAL DEODORANTS REVIEWED
Most of the natural deodorants that I have seen available in "natural health food" stores come in a paste form or in the more conventional wind-up tube.
Most people complain about the "crumbly" nature of natural deodorants. I think once you are used to it and work out how best to apply it for yourself, the "crumbly" concern goes away pretty fast.
I also roughly timed how long each one lasted per application. Uhmm, you might know that genetically most East Asians do not have the same gene that Caucasians have which encourages "unpleasant arm-pit smells" (click here for source). I'm of East Asian origin and I generally do not smell, uhmm, unpleasant. So I did ask a Caucasian friend of mine (who shall not be named) to test them too. Let's call this lasting power: "ANTI-SMELLY POWER"!
Please note: all of the four I discuss here are vegan and cruelty-free.
I am a lazy person. So the fact that A'Kin Natural Deodorant comes in a "spray-form" makes me happy. It comes out as a fairly forceful spray (not a mist).
This one smells heavenly. The name gives it away of course: "Geranium & Cedarwood". It has a fresh woody scent, much like a a garden after the rain. I like smelling like this!
ANTI-SMELLY POWER: 4-5 hours
This deodorant does not have:
aluminum;
zinc;
triclosan
parabens;
sulfates;
ethoxylated cleansers;
PEGS:
Phthalates
mineral oil
artificial colours
synthetic fragrances
animal derivatives
A cool thing is that the ingredients list is quite short. The ingredients are:
Ethanol*, Water (Aqua), Glycerin*, Triethyl Citrate*, Glucose*, Rapeseed Acid*, Pelargonium Graveolens (Geranium) Flower Oil*, Pogostemon Cablin (Patchouli) Leaf Oil*, Cedrus Atlantica (Cedarwood) Wood Oil*, Benzyl alcohol, Limonene^, Linalool^
*from Botanical source, ^natural component of essential oil.
Your can purchase it from Priceline - click here to shop it. You can also head to A'kin's website: https://www.akin.com.au
I really like that the ingredient's list of Axilla Deodorant Paste is quite short and made from mostly certified organic ingredients.
The ingredients list is:
Vitellaria Paradoxa* (Shea Butter), Cocos Nucifera* (Coconut oil), Camellia Oleifera seed oil* (Camellia Tea oil), Sodium Bicarbonate, Maranta Arundinacea (Arrowroot), Kaolin Clay, Vegetable Glycerin* - not derived from palm oil, Mentha Piperita* (Peppermint essential oil), Melaleuca Cajeputi* (Cajaput essential oil), Citrus Reticulata* (Mandarin essential oil), Eugenia Caryophyllata Thunb (Clove essential oil), Pelargonium Graveolens (Rose Geranium essential oil), Citrus Aurantifolia* (Lime essential oil), Lavandula Angustifolia* (Lavender essential oil) and Cedrus Atlantica* (Cedarwood essential oil), Mixed Tocopherols (Vitamin E). *certified organic ingredients.
It is a thick paste. It does get a bit crumbly. I've worked out that the best way to use this is to use a spatula, take a bit out and warm it between both hands and then apply it. I use a spatula because I'm adverse to having things stuck under my nails.
I do recommend applying this BEFORE you wear your clothes to avoid crumbs on your clothes. Please note that you won't get much crumbs - very few in fact. I've just noted this for your information.
This has a herb-ey scent. It smells like peppermint, rose, lavender, and cloves. Whilst it does contain coconut oil, I can't really detect that scent.
It did take some getting use to - this paste-in-tub format, but you do quickly get over it.
ANTI-SMELLY POWER: around 3 hours.
Hello coconut oil! This is too is free from aluminum and Vegan. It is non-GMO. It contains 100% plant-based active ingredients.
It's kinda cute huh? I like the colour. I like the colour contrast too.
The scent is lovely. It is "coconutty" of course, and there is a touch of floral. Of all the paste/tube ones, I found that this one was the least "crumbly". Must be the coconut oil keeping it fairly emollient.
On application, it reminded me of those cleansing balms - the ones that melt down to oil.
The ingredients list is also fairly short. The ingredients are:
Propylene Glycol*, Water/Aqua/EAU, Sodium Stearate, Propanediol, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Fragrance (Parfum), Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sodium Caproyl/Lauroyl Lactyl Lactate, Silica, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-5 Oleate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Triethyl Citrate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Liquid Endosperm, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Oil, Glycerin, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Juice, Glyceryl Laurate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil**, Sodium Anisate, Citric Acid *Biobased/Base Végétale **Organic/Biologique
You can purchase this at:
ANTI-SMELLY POWER: roughly 3-4 hours
These pretty babies areby MYAURA Organics. There are four different scents:
bergamot lime coconut
lavender sage rosemary
Rose Vanilla Jasmine
Ylang Ylang Rose
They are smell really good and just like how they are described. They are free from aluminum; zinc; preservatives and palm oil. They contain aloe vera; vitamin E; shea butter; and essential oils (which give you the natural fragrance of each one described above).
They are described as having a "dry touch formula". To be honest, I did not know what that meant UNTIL I tried the Kopari one. The "feel" is somewhat similar to the Axilla Deodorant Paste. It is a bit crumbly. I found the best way to apply it was to leave it against my armpit to warm up the product a bit. That helped a bit with the "crumbly-ness".
As you can see in the photo above, it has an interesting texture. You can smooth it out when you apply it, but there might be bits of crumbs falling off. I do recommend applying this BEFORE you wear your clothes, for the obvious reason: to avoid crumbs on your clothes. You won't get much crumbs, maybe a little bit. Hardly any some days.
I really like the fact that they all have that clear plastic cap. It helps form the deodorant back into a nice flattish-form, which in turn helps reduce any waste from bits falling off when you apply it. Good thinking!
MYAURA Organics is also eco responsible and they do state that: "All the products are formulated using natural, herbal, organic and environmentally low-impact raw materials."
I could not find the full ingredients list online, so I've typed them out below (the font was a bit tiny so fingers crossed I got them all - I've also avoided the scientific/latin names):
Arrowroot powder; coconut oil; soy wax, bi-carb soda, shea butter, carnauba wax; candelilla wax; natural Vitamin E; aloe vera leaf extract; rosehip seed oil; jojoba seed oil and the essential oils that fragrance the deodorants - so for the Lavender Sage Rosemary one, the fragrance is naturally derived as the ingredients include lavender; sage and rosemary oils.
MYAURA Organics ships Worldwide - click here to shop it
In Australia, they are also available in Coles and Woolworths (the two major supermarkets in Australia).
ANTI-SMELLY POWER: roughly 3-4 hours on me, but about 2 hours on my Caucasian friend
FINALE
Out of all of them, my favourite is the A'kin one, Not only does it smell lovely, it is also easy to apply. My second favourite is the Kopari one.
So I hope you enjoyed this article and found it useful. I'm pretty much on my social media platforms in some way or fashion 7 days a week. I hope you enjoyed this review.
我希望这篇文章有用！ 谢谢你的阅读。 我几乎每天都在社交媒体上，所以请订阅我的社交媒体平台！
You can find me at:
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