Is there any way to be less stinky? Asking for a friend, of course!
So, you've got this friend. And this friend doesn't wear deodorant. He says, "Deodorants are full of toxic chemicals and pore-clogging aluminum." Well, you couldn't argue with that... So, you gave him a natural deodorant... But after a week, he said, "This doesn't work, I'm better off without it. Plus, this isn't even natural, it's just a bunch of greenwashing!" Again, maybe he's right... But you've already decided that you both can't be in the same car together anymore. There will be no more driving with your head out the window just to avoid suffocating. It's dangerous. So, for the sake of your friendship, you've got to find a solution. What will it be?
Okay, maybe it's not that serious. Regardless, we've got a few home remedies that can help to reduce odors, at the very least. Let's look at the pros and cons of each.
1. Apple cider vinegar
Pros: The acidity of the vinegar helps to prevent bacteria from taking up residence in your armpits. The bacteria there prefer a less acidic environment and do not survive well at such a low pH.
Cons: Many people don't like the smell of white vinegar. But let me tell you, the smell of apple cider vinegar that's sat on your skin for a full day is not good either. Essential oils will help, but even then...
2. Lemons
Pros: Like apple cider vinegar, lemons are great at fighting bacteria thanks to their acidity. Rather than acetic acid, lemons contain high amounts of citric acid, as do many fruits. The advantage of lemons, though, is that they contain much less sugar than most fruits. The result is a less hospitable environment and less food for those hungry bacteria.
Cons: You better stock up on fresh lemons! Usually, you don't have to slice your deodorant before you put it on, so the convenience factor here is a little off.
3. Witch hazel
Pros: Witch hazel is an astringent, meaning that it can can tighten the pores of your skin. The real odor-eliminating properties, however, come from the alcohol present in most witch hazel extracts. (So, if the witch hazel doesn't have alcohol it probably won't help much with odor.) The advantage of using witch hazel compared to, say, rubbing alcohol is that it is much less irritating. Witch hazel contains properties from the witch hazel plant that help to soothe your skin.
Cons: As mentioned, alcohol does the main odor fighting, but it only contains 14%. Is this enough to keep bacteria (and odors) away? Is a higher percentage irritating to your skin?
4. Magnesium oil,
Pros: Some people swear by magnesium oil, which is actually a solution of magnesium chloride flakes, for eliminating odors. However, its efficacy is not well studied.
Cons: Some individuals can experience an itching or burning sensation, especially during the first few applications. For this reason, we suggest that you use only a small amount of a diluted magnesium oil to see how it works for your body before trying it as an odor eliminator. As you get used to the oil, the itchy reaction should disappear.
5. Essential oils
Pros: Essential oils don't just smell great, but they can fight against odors, too. Most essential oils, including tea tree and lavender, are highly antibacterial and can help eliminate odor-causing bacteria from your skin.
Cons: You do NOT want to apply essential oils directly to your skin! High concentrations of essential oils can cause burning and other types of skin irritation. Be sure to dilute the oils with either a carrier oil, like sweet almond oil, or with another liquid, like water. You may find that using essential oils in conjunction with another one of the odor-eliminators listed in this blog can be much more effective than either option by itself.
6. Homemade deodorant
Pros: This is the next step if the other options just aren't cutting it. Oftentimes (talking from personal experience, here), you need something a bit stronger. This is when you'll want to turn to a baking soda deodorant, a baking soda-alternative deodorant, or an alcohol-based deodorant. There are thousands of recipes for DIY natural deodorant, but make sure to stick with something simple. You should recognize the ingredients and they should contain a known odor-eliminator like baking soda, diatomaceous earth, or alcohol.
Cons: This takes time and effort. Making deodorant is a lot like baking: one small mistake and you end up with a chewy brick, rather than banana bread (or deodorant). Something as simple as overheating the ingredients can ruin your whole batch. So, if you enjoy the art of crafting a perfect recipe, go for it! But if not, or if you just don't have the time, there are always natural options out there ready for you. Just make sure you know the 4 Steps to Choosing a Natural Deodorant so that you can avoid those impostor "natural" deodorants and choose the one that will work best for you!
Curious to see what kind of ingredients we use in our deodorant? Check them out here!
Want to know more about armpit irritation? We got you covered! Check out our article on Angry Pits: Common Causes of Armpit Irritation.
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