I Switched To Native Deodorant. Here’s How It Went.
It’s no secret: tons of beauty products contain all kinds of toxins that we shouldn’t be putting on our skin. But making the switch to green and natural products is a bit of a process, I decided to begin the process in 2020 starting with a natural deodorant, here's a guide on how I Switched To Native Deodorant.
What you should know about me?
The two big things that have prevented me from trying natural deodorant in the past are my sensitive skin and the fact that I work out and/or run about 5 days a week. I know that my skin does not always react well to oils, and, while I don’t really care about sweating, I obviously don’t want to smell like someone who just went running for an hour!
How did I choose Native Deodorant?
There are so many natural deodorants out there, that it can be overwhelming to pick the one that will work best for you. Since they’re similar in ingredients, the biggest factors in my decision were positive reviews and price points; I don’t know anyone personally who has tried Native, but they have thousands on thousands of glowing reviews. I also like that they don’t use any of the common toxic ingredients (like aluminum and parabens), they don’t test on animals, and the price is low enough that I’ll be able to continue purchasing regularly if it’s a winner.
Of course, there are a few things I hope the company will improve on in the future, like moving to plastic-free packaging (though the whole container is, at least, totally recyclable).
EDITOR'S NOTE: Native announced recently that they would be going plastic-free on some of their deodorants. It'd be great to see them phase plastic out altogether.
I Switched To Native Deodorant — Day 1
I definitely still have residue from my previous deodorant, despite trying to scrub it off in the shower. I’m really excited to see if Native will eliminate this gross pore-blocking effect of regular deodorant. I’ve applied Native on top for now, but I feel like this first week will be about getting rid of the residue and toxins.
Day 3
My armpits are still full of residue but I haven’t noticed any body odor or strange reactions so there’s that? Definitely no noticeable reaction to the oils and butter used in Native. I still think I need to wait this out a little longer, though.
Day 5
I feel like a lot of the pore-blocking residue is gone, at least to the touch. How disturbing that it’s taken 5 whole days to notice a difference, though! It really reinforces my decision to make the switch.
Most natural deodorant companies suggest using the new product for at least a week before making any judgments because it generally takes at least a week for your body to adjust. I definitely see why now.
Day 7
I really put the deodorant to the test today! I went on a 70-minute run and you know what? I was only a little sweatier than usual, and I smelled wonderfully of lavender and rose! I am super impressed.
Day 10
I made the terrible mistake of wearing a very thick sweater in 7-degree January weather today (climate change!) and I definitely noticed that I sweat a little more than I’m used to — but I’m taking that as a sign that my body is getting rid of the toxins from previous antiperspirants. Our bodies are supposed to sweat, so this is definitely progress. I was just heading home, but, if I had been going back out, I probably would have reapplied the product after a full workday/being too warm on my commute.
Day 13
Ok, my armpits are super soft now, too. A bonus side effect of using a product containing coconut oil and shea butter.
Is Native Deodorant Available in stores?
You can find Native Deisoadnt in big box shops like Walmart and Target. These are not sustainable stores, but it's good to see green products in places like these.
Is Native Deidorant an anti-perspirent?
No, it's not, it does not contain aluminum the most common ingredient found in most antiperspirants. Aluminum is used to stop your armpits from sweating, not exactly the healthiest thing. Antiperspirants block your body's sweat ducts. Natural deodorants like Native work to reduce and neutralizes odours.
Final thoughts on I Switched To Native Deodorant
I will definitely be repurchasing this product! It smells nice, it’s easy to put on, it works, and it doesn’t leave a gross residue. Even though I had to reapply the product after an 8-hour day, that seems like a very small concession knowing that I’m no longer poisoning my body with harmful chemicals.
Update: Native is also moving towards plastic-free options, giving us zero-waste deodorant options! YAY!
If you found this post helpful, please help someone by sharing this article – sharing is caring 🙂!
Priscilla
says:I use regular old Barbasol shaving cream to clean deodorant off my pits. It cleans off deodorant,which is designed to be water and sweat proof, better than soap and water alone. Not only do you get a closer shave, but you put your deodorant on clean skin instead of having layer upon layer of old deodorant. So your deodorant can work better and you’re not hoarding bacteria in your pits, which is what makes you smell in the first place.
Candice Batista
says:Thanks for sharing 🙂
Barbara Beals
says:I started using Native deodorant about 2 years ago and love it, People ask if you can use it on other area’s. I use it under my breasts in the summer and notice i don’t feel wet under breast when really hot out. 1 package of deodorant lasts me almost a year.
Candice Batista
says:Thanks for sharing Barbara. I am going to give that a try!
best,
Candice
Victoria
says:I’m glad you made the switch to Native and that it works for you! I’ve spent 25 years of my life using harmful deodorant {not knowing its effects} and never heard of natural deo until this summer. I eat pretty healthy so my transition wasn’t as smelly. Their deodo works wonders. The first one I tried was Coconut and vanilla and now Lavender. I love it!
Candice Batista
says:Thanks for sharing your journey with me Victoria. Love the coconut too. 🙂
Jodi
says:We use Routine too and love it. The glass jar packaging was a big selling feature for us and that one jar lasts for months. That a company uses recyclable plastic and is intending to make the change to better packaging in the future is no longer good enough. Routine all the way.
Candice Batista
says:Thanks for sharing Jodi,
we feel the same,
best,
Candice
Valerie
says:I have extremely sensitive skin, and have tried everything out there that I could get my hands on (including Native) and they either did not work or I had a reaction to them. I’m on my second jar of Routine now and it works really well. I never need to re-apply It during the day. It did seem different at first to rub deodorant on with my fingers, but it was an easy adjustment, and one jar lasts for months.
Candice Batista
says:Thanks so much for sharing your journey, I am so glad you found something that works for you.
all my best,
Candice
Tara
says:I use Routine. Absolutely phenomenal products, and one of their glass jars will easily last me over 1/2 a year.
I have also noticed that the soap I use will make or break the performance of any deodorant I try. My go-to now is a bar from France: Pré de Provence – Milk and Green Tea being super effective. Again, initially expensive but is very dense soap and will last for months if not left soaking. #Terra20
I switched from anti-perspirant to natural products decades ago. The first week of detoxing was truly impressive and unpleasant. I didn’t exercise then, but exercise (sweating) seems to be a bonus for moving more quickly to a pleasant new normal.
Candice Batista
says:Hi Tara,
thanks so much for sharing your journey. I will check out Pré de Provence and Routine.
best,
Candice
Katarina
says:I use Routine as well. I brought it to my family to Europe and my sister is on board. She said that is the best natural deodorant ever and you don’t have to reapply it during the day.
Candice Batista
says:I will have to give that one a go!