At GMB, we take our deodorant as seriously as we take our food – meaning we make sure it’s all natural and made with REAL ingredients we recognise – because it’s something we’re putting into our bodies.
Strange ingredients lurking in commercial deodorants
Aluminium (to block pores and prevent sweating), parabens (chemical preservatives), steareths (emulsifiers that can irritate the skin), triclosan, propylene glycol, triethanolamine, artificial colours (TEA) & Diethanolamine (DEA)…say what?!
Keen to hop on the natural deodorant train but yet to find one that actually works?
We hear you and have done a lot of testing to find these natural deodorants that truly do the job.
But first, some natural deodorant pro-tips
DON'T give up on it after trying it just once! Your body may take one to two weeks to adjust to the absence of chemicals before allowing the natural antibacterial ingredients to start working.
Stay HYDRATED
Sufficient H20 might help speed up the release of accumulated toxins so that your natural deodorant starts doing its job sooner rather than later.
Natural deodorant helps you DETOX, because unlike aluminium-containing antiperspirants, it doesn't block perspiration. Natural deo's antibacterial ingredients still help stop BO though so you're all good.
JAMA
Born in Adelaide but available throughout Australia and NZ, ‘Safe – Effective – Affordable’ is JAMA’s motto (their deodorants range from $7.95-$9.95 a pop). Natural, vegan and aluminium free, the addition of tapioca starch to JAMA’s deodorant sticks have a fast-absorbing and drying effect. Tapioca starch is also less likely to irritate the skin than arrowroot (another natural drying compound used in natural deodorants). The natural scents in JAMA’s All Day Deodorants are heavenly – think Vanilla Grapefruit and Vanilla Lavendar, and we love that they do eco-friendly refills.
Find this awesome natural deodorant in our November 'Keep It Cleaner' Box
Black Chicken Axilla Deodorant Paste
Don’t let the fact that it’s a paste put you off – all you have to do is rub a pea sized amount onto each armpit with your finger (as if you are moisturising), which will warm the paste and help dissolve it into the skin.
Antibacterial, odour-neutralising coconut oil is the base ingredient for this deodorant paste, along with moisture-absorbing ingredients like kaolin clay, clove oil and sodium bicarb to neutralise odour. The soothing vitamin E and organic camellia tea oil makes the paste a great option if you have sensitive skin. It’s nice and cooling too and smells lovely thanks to the proprietary blend of antibacterial and antiseptic essential oils – including clove, mandarin, lime and lavender.
A Bit Hippie Natural Cream Deodorant
Unlike aluminium, magnesium is something that’s meant to be put into our bodies. Aussie-made brand A Bit Hippie have skipped the aluminium and have created a cream deodorant made with mineral magnesium and water, stuck together with food-grade gums. Magnesium helps to control the odour-causing bacteria, along with some help from essential oils like rosewood and geranium leaf oil.
Schmidt’s Charcoal + Magnesium Mineral-Enriched Deodorant
Another roll-on taking advantage of the benefits of plant-based powders moisture-absorbing arrowroot and baking soda to prevent BO! Activated charcoal has been added for its natural detoxifying properties in a base of coconut oil and shea butter and we’re all about the mild, fresh dewy scent.
Noosa Basics Deodorant Cream Sticks
Together kaolin Clay, arrowroot and bi-carb help absorb moisture and destroy odour-causing bacteria in Noosa’s aluminium free deodorants. There’s a natural and subtle scent for every taste in the range – from fresh Lemon Myrtle and summery Coconut, to masculine Sandalwood.
Any others that you’d add to our list? Let us know!