I don’t need to convince you to make the switch to all-natural deodorant. You’re already there. It’s time to go au naturel, and you know it, but a small voice inside you is wondering, “Am I ready to smell au naturel?”

Natural deodorants are trending hard right now but not all are created equal. My experience with natural deodorants ranges between red and rashy and wet and stinky. Needless to say, at the end of my noble experiment staring into a trash can full of crystals and waxy tubes of what I can only describe as smelling “feral”, I was back in the arm(pit)s of the creamy dry that my Cucumber Dove afforded me in no time—aluminium and all.

BURNED AGAIN

Then I met Vanessa, my now partner, and director of product development at Mender. Over coffee and under the California sun she told me she had developed a natural deodorant that “actually works”. I obliged her and popped the stick in my purse.

“Oh, but I’m allergic to baking soda,” I mentioned after hearing her list of the ingredients. Clearly used to this comment Vanessa swiftly schooled me. “Very few people are allergic to baking soda,” she said, and went on to explain that the itchy red circle rash many of us have experienced after using natural deodorants is not an allergic reaction, but alkaline burn.

Because most natural deodorants don’t add anything to balance the high pH of baking soda, the deodorant can actually burn the skin leaving round red rings under your arms. Vanessa balances the pH in her deodorant by adding low-pH magnesium so the deodorant fights odor while also being closer to our natural pH as to not harm the skin.

PITS ON FLEEK

Vanessa’s deodorant smells good—like chocolate and grapefruit. The texture is right—creamy, not waxy or overly glycerin-y. I gave it a try and waited. And by ‘waited’ I mean I applied a thin layer to my underarms and obsessively smelled inside my t-shirt every few hours waiting for that “Aha! See! I do stink!” moment. Or at the very least for the redness to pop up after a few days.

But those moments never came. And better yet, there was no “transition time” needed. I had heard rumors of a stink-laden “detox” period, and while I am sure this does occur for some, finding a natural deodorant that actually works can eliminate this funky phase.

SEEK BALANCE

When shopping for a natural deodorant, the most important thing is to look closely at the ingredients. Stay away from baking soda only deodorants that may burn the skin. Look for magnesium or other natural pH balancers.

Diet and stress can also alter your pH causing even your fav natural deodorant to lose its effectiveness. If this occurs, the natural deodorant gurus at Piper Wai recommend resetting your pH by swabbing your pits with apple cider vinegar before applying your favorite deodorant.

NATURE BABE

Get comfortable with the fact that with natural deodorant, some of your natural scent may come through and that is okay. Some experts even argue that these subtle scents allow our pheromones to boost our subconscious sex appeal. So pass on products with overpowering “fragrance” meant to mask odor—even too much of some essential oils are too harsh for underarms, particularly on skin made sensitive from shaving.

So embrace your body’s natural process, find a natural deodorant that is pH balanced and fights the stank without masking your pheromone magic, and if you fear the “transition” period, wait until a day off to test drive your new natural deodorant. You’ll be au naturel in no time and never looking back.

ABOUT MENDER

Created along California’s coast, Mender is for humans who live in their bodies, breathe in the wind, dance round the fire, swim in the sea.

Mender’s full spectrum hemp-extracted CBD Apothecary Body Essentials Collection was developed by a versed Apothecary and birth doula using only clean ingredients; rich organic essential oils, locally sourced ingredients whenever possible and high-quality full-spectrum certified third-party tested CBD extracted from non-GMO, pesticide-free hemp to balance and mend the body.

Zero phenoxyethanol, zero hydrogenated oils or processed waxes, zero isopropyl myristate or other propane derivatives, Mender formulates true natural skincare that is bioavailable, gentle and clean.

Find out more at www.mender.shop