The transition to natural deodorant stinks – literally. But trust us, it's well worth the effort. If you're reading this, chances are you already knew that, or at least you're considering making the move. You also probably already know why we encourage people to ditch the nasty stuff and make the switch to a natural deodorant for the sake of their pits and their overall health. If not, we suggest you give another one of our blog posts a read too: Natural Deodorant – Make the switch for your pits!
Finding a natural deodorant that works means you don't have to block your sweat glands and your co-workers don't have to block their noses. That's a win for everyone. We create ours with a unique alkaline formula to control odour-causing bacteria from throwing a (pit-ty) party.
Making the switch, for some, may come with a few temporary challenges. For others, they don't notice any negative side effects at all. But to make your transition as smooth as possible, here are our best tips for deo-do's and deo-don'ts when you're making the switch.
Expect a detox period.
Preparation is the most important tip. When swapping from an antiperspirant you've used for years to an aluminium and phthalate-free natural deodorant, there is going to be a purging process. This is where we like to manage expectations. We hear from a few customers who start using our natural deodorant after a long history of antiperspirant use, that the deodorant isn't working... This is usually because they're not used to sweating at all and haven't adjusted yet. Let's be clear here, deodorants don't stop you from sweating! Others let us know that they've became a bit smelly. While this sounds bad, it's actually a good thing. It means that your sweat glands are starting to detoxify after being clogged up for so many years. Hallelujah! Like rehab for your armpits, it may not be pleasant but it's the best thing for them.
Re-apply as needed.
We found that there's a transition period of about 2 weeks as the body adjusts to the new glorious freedom of natural deodorant. In that time, to help your body get a handle on the BO, we recommend reapplying our Natural Deodorant up to 3 times throughout the day. Give the bottle a shake and roll it on as often as you feel you need! The ingredients are so natural and gentle that there's no issue with repeated and extended use. Once your body has adjusted to the deodorant, you can go back to applying in the morning, once a day and before exercise.
Sweat it out.
The toxins don't want to be in there and we certainly don't want them in there either so what do you say we speed up the break-up process? The only way those toxins are coming out is through your sweat, so start sweating baby! If you work out often and intensely during your purge, you'll find that the transition will be much quicker.
After the detox is done, don't quit the gym. Regular exercise is essential in helping to promote the healthy, natural removal of toxins, just even more so during a deo transition. If you have access to a regular or infrared sauna, give these a go too and set those toxins packing.
A detox mask for your pits.
Yes, you read that right. Now, this is a nifty tip that will help the process immensely so don't dismiss it so quickly. Create your own DIY clay mask for your underarms! Why should your face get all the love? Whatever clay you like, we like Kaolin clay because although it's gentle and suitable for sensitive skin, it's still absorbent and helps to draw out impurities effectively. Get your clay powder and mix it with water and a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar (if you've got super sensitive pits, skip this ingredient). Slather it on, awkwardly wait for 10 minutes with your arms above your head and then rinse. Enjoy those silky-smooth, detoxed pits!
If you don't have any clay handy, grab your Gentle Micro Exfoliant instead. It contains bentonite clay to help you deep clean and will give your pits a gentle little exfoliation too (handy if you ever get ingrown hairs too).
Adjust what you eat.
What we put in will change what we sweat out. Adjusting your diet during this process will help flush out toxins even further. Start by minimising or eliminating processed and refined foods while adding in extra leafy greens and whole foods. Yes, this includes alcohol. Another important thing to do is make sure you're chugging down lots of water. This is your natural plumbing system and is crucial to effectively flush everything out.
And lastly don't give up!
We encourage you not to give up after a few days. It may be a little challenging at first but with a bit of perseverance and a few clay masks, you'll be glad you made the swap away from antiperspirants and their unknown long-term effects. Sweat is sadly just misunderstood. Just think of it as a friendly cleaner who just wants to clean your house (your body) and remove all your toxins. Sure, it gets in the way when you're watching tv and rearranges some furniture but ultimately the house is much better off with its help. If you're really struggling with scent during this time, grab our Aroma Balm, its a soft but solid perfume balm that smells divine so will surely mask any smells.
Happy rolling!