Natural Deodorants - Facts

Are natural deodorants effective? How do they function? What do deodorants contain and are they different to antiperspirants?

Why do you sweat?

Perspiration is a natural bodily process. It regulates body temperature and protects itself from overheating - the body's own air conditioning system, so to speak. This is important and healthy. Heat, stress, exertion, fear or fever can also set this process in motion and cause beads of sweat to form on the skin. What many do not know is that fresh sweat is completely odourless. The decomposition by bacteria causes an unpleasant smell to develop.

Deodorant or antiperspirant?

Deodorant is the ideal choice when it comes to preventing the odour-causing bacteria from doing their job and thus counteracting unpleasant sweat odour. Antiperspirants are only found in conventional cosmetics because they contain synthetic aluminium salts that narrow or even close the pores in order to inhibit the natural perspiration process for a few hours or more. Don't worry, these ingredients are not used in natural cosmetics!

How does deodorant work?

Organic deodorants can prevent excessive sweating and prevent odours. A good deodorant can ensure this over the long term. It is important that deodorant is only used on clean, healthy and dry skin. There are numerous natural active ingredients in natural cosmetics that can keep us dry and smelling good:

Alum: Potassium alum as listed in the INCI, is a natural salt that prevents excessive perspiration and is used in crystal deodorants.

Sodium bicarbonate: Sodium bicarbonate is extremely effective at neutralising acids thanks to its basic properties. It prevents odours and has a lasting effect. Baking soda is mostly used in solid deodorant sticks or in deodorant creams. However, sensitive skin may react with itching or redness. The good news is that there are mild deodorants for sensitive skin too, such as the Acorelle Soft Deodorant Stick that does not contain any baking soda.

Essential oils: They can inhibit the reproduction of odour-causing bacteria and thus counteract the unpleasant odour. Lavender, palmarosa, tea tree, sage or cypress are particularly effective, but peppermint and citrus oils are also popular because they provide a fresh scent, as is the case of the HOMME Deodorant Spray by Florame. Essential oils are mostly dissolved in alcohol and diluted with a hydrosol.

Plant water: These are also called hydrolates and are ideal ingredients for a deodorant. Particularly astringent plant water, such as witch hazel water, are often used in deodorant formulas. But tea tree or peppermint water is also quite popular.

Starch: Mostly used in the form of corn or potato starch, it helps absorb moisture and keep the underarms dry.

Diatomaceous earth: Also known as infusorial earth, it consists largely of fossil diatoms shells, making it particularly rich in silicon, magnesium, calcium and other minerals and - ideal for sensitive skin. Thanks to its special, microporous structure, it can quickly absorb moisture and thus neutralise body odour.

These were some exemplary ingredients because organic deodorants also contain particularly nourishing ingredients that nourish the sensitive underarms and keep them supple or ensuring they have a particularly pleasant consistency.

Deodorants are also available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes: classic roll-on, spray, stick or cream. Furthermore, certain substances, such as aluminium, parabens or propylene glycol should be avoided when pregnant or breastfeeding. The following applies to breastfeeding: fewer fragrances are the better choice: fragrances can irritate the baby's nose. We recommend "breastfeeding-friendly" deodorants, such as Unscented Aloe Vera Deodorant by Florame.

Finally, a few tips:

• Deodorants should not be used on chapped, irritated or damaged skin.
• Solid deodorant sticks with baking soda are often easier to apply to damp skin, while all other deodorants should be used on dry skin.
• Cream deodorants should be applied with the fingertips.
• Natural deodorants have a different effect on everybody. Some last for hours while others need to be reapplied.