Chances are that up until now you’re used to using an antiperspirant as most traditional spray or roll-on deodorants include this function too. An antiperspirant uses aluminium to block your sweat ducts. This is a cheap, effective way of stopping odour. However, many people are making the switch to natural deodorants because we’re realising we’re meant to sweat. Yes, we sweat from other areas too, but our armpits are the main ones and stopping them from sweating completely means stopping a natural process that removes toxins and regulates temperature (which is particularly important in a baking Australian summer). Aluminium is also a harsh ingredient that dries the skin out and can cause irritation, and it mixing with sweat is the cause of yellowy stains on clothes. By switching to natural deodorants in Australia, you can keep your normal bodily function and benefit from milder more natural ingredients that are kinder to your skin and your clothes.
When you switch to a natural deodorant, you’ll notice you stop seeing the word ‘antiperspirant’ used on the packaging. That’s because it’s not actually sweat that causes body odour but rather the bacteria that feeds on it. Natural deodorants target these bacteria leaving your skin free to breathe and sweat as it should but preventing odour.
There are so Many Options for Deodorant in Australia. Where to Start?
When you’re ready to make the switch to a natural deodorant you might be overwhelmed by the options and not know where to start. First of all, if you have sensitive skin we’d recommend looking for a hypoallergenic brand. Some natural deodorants still use harsh ingredients like alcohol to completely kill bacteria. This is effective but it also damages the protective acid mantle and dries out the skin which can cause irritation, especially if your skin is sensitive. Also be aware that sodium bicarbonate is one of the leading causes of skin irritation in deodorants. This is because of its high pH and high water solubility when applied to slightly acidic skin. Magnesium hydroxide, or milk of magnesia, is another popular one in natural deodorants. This has a higher pH than bicarb soda but isn’t as water soluble so less likely to cause irritation and is not recommended to be left on skin by a cosmetic ingredients review panel. When you move to all-natural deodorant in Australia you’re likely to swap to either a roll-on or a cream as there are very few natural sprays. We’re biased but we think Lavilin deodorant cream is the best choice you could make and is one of the more skin-friendly options out there. It may be an adjustment if you’re used to spray but when you get used to it there really is nothing like it. One application lasts up to a week even if you’re working, swimming, or exercising so it makes sense for your bank account as well as your skin. It can even tackle teenage BO and that’s really a test!
It is important to note that when you make the switch you’ll need to stick with it for a few weeks. It can sometimes take up to 30 days to get used to natural deodorants, although most don’t take that long. Aluminium seals up your sweat glands so for the first few days you’ll probably feel the same but once that seal breaks you’ll experience a large increase in bacteria which will lead to some odour. This doesn’t mean that your natural deodorant is not working, it’s just working harder to get those prolific odorous varieties of bacteria under control. The aluminium salts have been killing off the good non-odorous varieties of bacteria on the skin’s microbiome and they’re the ones we want!
You’ll probably also notice moisture under your arms which will seem strange at first as you’re not used to sweating but you will get used to it. If possible, taking a few days off all deodorant products before starting your natural deodorant can help with the transition as the microbiome rebalances and the chemical residues wear off. It’s important to remember though that sweat is natural and a couple of weeks of odour is a small price to pay for happier skin and more natural odour control.
We’re Here When You’re Ready to buy Natural Deodorant Online
We’re Livin Bio Balance Pty Limited and we’re the sole distributors of Lavilin in Australia. We searched high and low for something that could handle the stink coming from one of our founders. When we found Lavilin we knew we had to bring this natural deodorant to Australia. It’s hypoallergenic and contains ingredients such as castor seed oil to nourish skin rather than dry it out and has a low comedogenic rating compared to other popular oils, plus zinc, calendula and probiotics to look after the skin and target the odour-causing varieties of bacteria. We offer samples so you can see how it works for you before buying a whole jar (which lasts up to a year when using a tiny smudge twice a week). Get started dealing with BO naturally by heading to our shop here.
Why avoid commercial deodorants:
- Full of harmful chemicals
- Tend to contain aluminium (linked to Alzeimer’s Disease & Breast Cancer)
- Leave you with yellow underarm stains
- Masks your pheromones
- Lasts less than a day
Why choose Lavilin:
- Allows for pheromones to be free
- Lasts up to 7 days with one application
- One tub lasts up to a year
- No yellow pit stains
- Cruelty free
- No nasties
- Lasts longer than any other commercial deodorant
- You can put it to the test and test a FREE sample!