Wellness
4 Tips on Finding (and Using) Natural Deodorant
Share
If you’ve been around the wellness community for an asana or two, you’ve probably heard the buzz about natural deodorants.
However, even though many of us know that it’s important to seek out natural alternatives in our personal care, sometimes making the switch can be daunting or downright stinky.
The great news is that natural deodorants have come a long way in the past few years. You no longer need to compromise between feeling “hand-raising ready” and choosing a safe choice for your body and the environment.
What is the difference between conventional antiperspirants and natural deodorants?
Most antiperspirants, including the ones that your mom likely slid onto your shelves right after you had “the talk,” are formulated with aluminum and synthetic fragrances. Aluminum blocks the sweat glands in your armpits and synthetic fragrances mask odors caused by the growth of bacteria.
The bad news? Your armpits were made to sweat and purge toxins. When your body’s sweat glands are blocked, those toxins stay in your body and can lead to potential health complications.
The great news? The wellness community has been heard loud and clear, and there are now several alternative deodorants to choose from. Compared to antiperspirants, natural deodorants replace aluminum with natural moisture-absorbing ingredients and synthetic fragrances with essential oils (look for bacterial blasting tea tree).
Here’s a few tips for finding (and using) natural deodorants!
Prepare for a detox period.
Depending on your body chemistry, you can expect a 2-4 week detox period while your body gets used to living without an antiperspirant.
During this time, you may want to carry around your natural deodorant and touch up a few times a day, use a sauna to increase detoxification, and wash with antibacterial soap to keep stick causing bacteria at bay.
Try: Pacifica - Coconut & Charcoal Underarm Detox Scrub, $15
1
Prepare for a detox period.
Depending on your body chemistry, you can expect a 2-4 week detox period while your body gets used to living without an antiperspirant.
During this time, you may want to carry around your natural deodorant and touch up a few times a day, use a sauna to increase detoxification, and wash with antibacterial soap to keep stick causing bacteria at bay.
Try: Pacifica - Coconut & Charcoal Underarm Detox Scrub, $15
Look for deodorants with natural ingredients.
When looking at labels, aim to get as close to 100% natural ingredients as possible.
Look for plant-derived ingredients and natural clays and steer clear of aluminum, synthetic fragrances, and BHT (aka butylated hydroxytoluene, a cosmetic preservative).
2
Look for deodorants with natural ingredients.
When looking at labels, aim to get as close to 100% natural ingredients as possible.
Look for plant-derived ingredients and natural clays and steer clear of aluminum, synthetic fragrances, and BHT (aka butylated hydroxytoluene, a cosmetic preservative).
Adjust your products for sensitive skin.
Many people complain that natural deodorants give them a rash or irritate their underarms. This is generally because many natural deodorants use baking soda as an ingredient to aid in absorbing moisture. Baking soda can be effective for keeping sweat at bay; however, it’s also quite abrasive (think: baking soda based toothpaste and home cleaning products).
If you tend to have sensitive skin, seek out deodorants that have arrowroot powder or kaolin clay.
Try: CLN&DRTY Natural Skincare Lemon Eucalyptus Natural Deodorant, $16
3
Adjust your products for sensitive skin.
Many people complain that natural deodorants give them a rash or irritate their underarms. This is generally because many natural deodorants use baking soda as an ingredient to aid in absorbing moisture. Baking soda can be effective for keeping sweat at bay; however, it’s also quite abrasive (think: baking soda based toothpaste and home cleaning products).
If you tend to have sensitive skin, seek out deodorants that have arrowroot powder or kaolin clay.
Try: CLN&DRTY Natural Skincare Lemon Eucalyptus Natural Deodorant, $16
If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.
Don’t be shy to try a few natural deodorants until you find one that’s good for you. Test out a few different brands, scents, and ingredient profiles before throwing the towel in. And remember to give yourself the full 30 days to detox from aluminum and other chemicals.
Switching over to natural products can be overwhelming, so we encourage you to remember that it’s all about progress and not perfection.
Consider transitioning to one “clean” product per month rather than throwing out your entire medicine cabinet and starting from scratch. And remember, the natural personal care industry has grown so much in the past few years. You no longer have to compromise between being healthy and loving your personal care products!
Want to learn more about natural skincare? Discover tips, new products, and more at https://clnanddrty.com/ or follow @clnanddrty!
4
If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.
Don’t be shy to try a few natural deodorants until you find one that’s good for you. Test out a few different brands, scents, and ingredient profiles before throwing the towel in. And remember to give yourself the full 30 days to detox from aluminum and other chemicals.
Switching over to natural products can be overwhelming, so we encourage you to remember that it’s all about progress and not perfection.
Consider transitioning to one “clean” product per month rather than throwing out your entire medicine cabinet and starting from scratch. And remember, the natural personal care industry has grown so much in the past few years. You no longer have to compromise between being healthy and loving your personal care products!
Want to learn more about natural skincare? Discover tips, new products, and more at https://clnanddrty.com/ or follow @clnanddrty!
Beauty
Black-owned Beauty and Wellness Businesses to Know
Share
February is Black History Month—a celebration of the achievements and contributions of African Americans in society. As the beauty and wellness industry becomes a more welcoming and inclusive space for all, we are taking this opportunity to continue to shine a light on the gap of inclusivity and diversity in our industry, and take action to promote, empower, and honor the Black community that shapes and grows wellness.
While the beauty industry is making improvements—it's important to showcase and support Black businesses and the creatives in this space every day. To honor them, we're shouting out some of our favorite Black-owned beauty and wellness businesses to support.
1. Beauty Bin
Beauty Bin is a full-service day spa and dry bar located in Asheville, NC. With a focus on inclusivity for people of all backgrounds, genders, and races, their MO is to match the outer beauty of every client to their inner beauty. From eyelash extensions and hydrafacials to waxing and massage, Beauty Bin is a one-stop-shop for all the spa services.
2. KIKA Stretch Studio
The KIKA Method® is a gentle assisted stretching process that loosens up tight muscles freeing your body from pain and stress. By practicing this method, clients can experience decreased muscle tension, increased energy, enhanced flexibility, a substantial reduction in stress, improved posture and relaxation, and increased mental clarity. While its headquarters is located in Las Vegas, NV, they have multiple locations sprinkled throughout the US, including Atlanta, New York City, and Dallas—just to name a few.
3. Kimberly Coleman Salon
At Kimberly Coleman Salon, their philosophy begins with promoting healthy tresses, elegant sets, unique accouterments, perfect pampering of hands and feet, and precision cuts. Known for working with models and celebrities, they fully appreciate and celebrate the diversity of their clientele which also includes super moms and warrior dads.
4. Pressed Roots
Pressed Roots was developed with the simple concept in mind—that everyone deserves access to easy, and quality hair care. What started as a single pop-up shop in Boston, grew to a multi-city pop-up tour, and is now slated to be the largest national hair salon franchise specializing in the care and styling of highly textured hair, they launched their first flagship location in Dallas, TX.
5. SW3AT
Jersey City resident, Alyza Brevard-Rodriguez started SW3AT. The company began as a fitness apparel line in 2015 but evolved into a sanctuary catered to health and wellness now known as SW3AT Sauna Studio—the first infrared sauna studio in Jersey City. The healing power of infrared heat therapy is a phenomenal option for holistic health proven to strengthen the immune system and provide relief from joint stiffness and muscle pain. It is also supportive of any fitness program as it aids in weight loss (you can torch up to 900 calories in a 45-minute session) while also detoxifying your body from some of the most harmful toxins.
6. The TEN Nail Bar
Kelli Coleman and Anika Jackson opened The TEN Nail Bar in Detroit to address a void in their city. They saw a need for a quality, modern nail bar that could also serve as a fun social space for Detroit’s residents and professionals. They designed the TEN to provide their clients with a #Perfect10 experience—where you can relax, enjoy music, a drink, your friends, a clean and precise manicure, and a much-needed break from all your hectic days.
7. Bettye O Day Spa
Located in the beautiful downtown Hyde Park Chicago area, Bettye O Day Spa specializes in first-class treatments. They aim to nurture and relax each of their clients with individualized and innovative therapeutic techniques. From body wraps and massages to facials and hydrotherapy, this day spa promises to be a safe place for healing to occur.
Looking for more businesses to support? ClassPass has also created a list of Black-owned business to check out all year-round. While both of these lists are a great start to get you familiar with many of the Black-owned businesses either in your neighborhood or around the globe, we have only scratched the surface. We'd love to keep these lists growing.If you have any businesses you'd like to see on this list, click here to submit a Black-owned business we should be highlighting as well!
