Eco Swaps #4

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

When I started looking at ways to cut the amount of plastic packaging I generate in my home, I noticed that natural deodorants were cropping up in my Instagram feed with increasing regularity, I took it as a sign and investigated further.

I was worried about the effectiveness of natural deodorants, but thought if the occasion called for it I could go back to my tried and (thoroughly) tested Dove antiperspirant for a day if necessary.

But the more I read about it the more I began to discover that once you switch, you need to stick with it. There's a whole thing about detoxing your armpits, riding your body of the build up of pore clogging nasties from mainstream products.

Despite the fact that I wasn't looking forward to this detox period, I decided to just go for it. My chosen natural deodorant turned up just as the hottest weekend of the summer was about to kick off. Nothing like throwing myself in at the deep end!

I bought the Your Nature Natural Deodorant Stick in cedarwood and grapefruit. The scent was pleasant enough. I did feel a little damp under the arms on a few occasions, I had to keep reminding myself that it wasn't an antiperspirant, nevertheless I was impressed with this from day one.



I was paranoid about odour, but a few quick secret armpit sniffs set my mind at ease and I stopped worrying about it. I couldn't believe I'd been lucky enough to find a natural deodorant that suited me so easily, some people have a reaction to them and have to try loads of options before finding one that suits.

The stick lasted a decent amount of time. I think I finished it in early November, so about four months.

I decided to try a different product, this time opting for a solid deodorant from Lush, mostly because I could pick this up instore locally. This had no packaging at all so I was hoping that I would love it. But I didn't. The scent wasn't all that pleasing but I could've forgiven that if it had worked. I felt smelly on several occasions, and became really self conscious. After a time my armpits became red and felt uncomfortable. Bearing in mind that I was using this in cooler temperatures than the first product, it really didn't do well in comparison.

After about three weeks I gave up and decided to try something else.



Next I purchased a We Love The Planet deodorant stick in mighty mint. I love the smell of this, and so far I've really liked it. I don't think I would've gone for a minty scent before, but this is really unusual. I sometimes catch a whiff of mint and it's actually rather pleasant.

I would've preferred a solid deodorant, without any packaging at all, and I'll keep looking (please leave any recommendations in the comments), but for now I'm happy that I've found a few natural deodorants that work for me, and that have fully recyclable cardboard packaging - better for me, better for the environment.

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14 comments

  1. You're doing so well as finding alternatives to mainstream personal hygiene products. I think deodorant is a tricky one as we really don't want to be smelly, even during the trial and error period, so you've done really well finding new products so quickly which work for you.

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    1. I have been lucky, and I'm not sure I would've tried it if I hadn't worked from home. Being at home meant that if it didn't work I could grab a shower and whack on some of my old Dove deodorant.
      I did tell a few friends that I was trying a natural deodorant, and asked if they would be honest and tell me if I began to pong!
      xx

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  2. whilst on holiday I went without completely - I didn't notice any odour on myself/clothes more than a couple of times, I think we over use products on our skin and our bodies do need to sweat, especially when it's very hot. something that smells nice and is natural is far better than something clogging up our pores. The ones you have tested look interesting, I wouldn't mind smelling of mint :)

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    1. I really like the minty one!
      I agree that we probably use too much on our skin. The aim of the natural deodorants is to allow you to sweat but to combat the odour caused by bacteria. I'd been using mainstream products for years without knowing or thinking about what is was doing to my body. Sweating is made to seem so undesirable though isn't it? We start wearing deodorant as teenagers when a bad smell or a sweat patch is the ultimate social faux pas, and we don't look back, or question it. And all this from just wanting to reduce plastic!
      xx

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  3. I haven't tried a natural deodorant yet, but I'd been thinking of trying the solid Lush one. Your review has definitely put me off that one ... I'll be on the lookout for something else. Our local chain of drugstores does seem to stock more and more natural products, so it would be nice if I could try one I can get in store, as I try to avoid buying on-line as much as I can. xxx

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    1. I'm sorry that I put you off the Lush bar, the thing is it might work better for you, it has some rave reviews.
      I prefer to buy instore but most of my natural products are ordered online. I try to do a bulk order to keep packaging down, but until my high street catches up, it's all I can do.
      Good luck in your search, I hope you find something!
      xx

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  4. What a shame you didn't get on with Lush. I'm a big fan of their deodorants. Sunflower being my favourite.
    I'm like Betty, I rarely use any when I'm travelling. I think we've all been conditioned into thinking we need all these toiletries when in reality we don't.
    The packaging on yours is so pretty!

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    1. The packaging did help in my selection process, I have to admit. I know from my adventures in skincare that less is more and I've found that these natural deodorants are mostly more than enough.
      xx

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  5. A deodorant surely isn't going to replace an antiperspirant? I find this confusing.

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    1. It doesn't. I'm using it instead of an antiperspirant, there don;t seem to be any natural antiperspirant available, probably due to the aluminium content.
      The idea is that the ingredients in the natural deodorant kill the bacteria in sweat that creates the odour. So while you sweat you don't smell, rather than stopping the sweating altogether, we're meant to sweat, it's a natural bodily process, and is said to be healthier for the body. I've got on OK with them, excluding Lush.
      xx

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  6. I've never tried one of these deodorants (thought I have switched to lip salve in similar packaging). A few years ago, I got fed up of not being able to find a deodorant I liked that wasn't full of nasty things, so I simply stopped using it! I thought I'd smell really bad, but to my surpise, I've not had any trouble! I do sometimes get a little smelly, but just a tiny bit, nothing that anyone else would notice!

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    1. That's interesting. We do forget that sweating is a natural process, something that we're meant to do. It's been interesting to find out more, it started as an exercise to reduce plastic packaging but it turned into a bit of a learning experience.
      xx

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  7. Reading the above comments-I always smell when I don't use deodorant!!!!
    Which Lush one did you try? I was going to buy one but haven't done yet!
    I really liked the Your Natural one- I WISH the Refill room had continued selling them- I really liked that best. I have been using the ones from the Isle of Wight- they are really nice- the Rose and Jasmine is the nicest- not so keen on the lemon and tea tree. I'd like to try the Mint!

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    1. I tried the Aramatico (or something like that). I wish it'd been better, and zero packaging solution would've been awesome.
      The Your Natural one is the best so far I think, but I'd prefer to find something I can buy on the high street. I try to put in a bulk order for my eco swaps to save on post packaging and Peace With The Wild are all plastic free, so I probably shouldn't worry too much.
      I like the sound of Rose and Jasmine, Peace With The Wild stock that so it might find it's way to me this year. The mint is nice, and very unusual.
      xx

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