What’s Natural Deodorant, and How Does It Work?

Natural deodorant harnesses the power of Mother Nature’s best ingredients to battle body odor. The formulas work entirely on the surface of your skin, using plants, oils, and powders to absorb wetness and neutralize odors.

Is it time to try something new? We think so. Here’s everything you need to know about what natural deodorant is, how it works, and why you might want to make the switch. 

Natural Deodorant vs. Antiperspirant

To understand what natural deodorant is, it helps to first understand what it isn’t.

A common misconception is that sweat itself causes odor. In reality, underarm wetness is practically odorless. Stink only happens when surface bacteria feed on sweat, break it down, and release a funk. The main difference between natural deodorant and antiperspirant is how each one deals with that process:

• Antiperspirants use aluminum to plug your pores, blocking sweat from reaching the surface of your skin.

• Natural deodorants work on top of the skin to absorb wetness and manage odor.

What Are the Benefits of Switching to a Natural Deodorant? 

Making the switch to an aluminum-free deodorant is a small change in your hygiene routine that comes with some big bonuses.

Here are just some of the benefits of natural deodorant:

• Skin comfort: Natural deodorants let your sweat out, keeping your skin more comfortable.

• Unrestricted sweating: Sweating is your body’s built-in cooling system, and natural deodorants let your body sweat naturally.

• Ingredient transparency: Natural deodorants use recognizable ingredients like coconut oil and activated charcoal so you can more easily understand exactly what’s in your products.

• Lifestyle alignment: If you’re someone who prefers natural products, then this is an opportunity to put your money where your armpit is. 

How Natural Deodorant Works

Natural deodorant ingredients vary between brands, but their goal is to neutralize body odor, absorb moisture, and balance bacteria. That way, you can smell good all daywhile letting your pits breathe. Here’s exactly what those ingredients do.

Odor Neutralization

Mineral deodorizers like charcoal and magnesium hydroxide actively neutralize acidic odor molecules on your skin before they can cause a stink in your armpits. Essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, and patchouli have natural scents that blend with your body chemistry to provide a fresh fragrance that masks body odor.

Moisture Absorption

Plant starches like arrowroot powder and tapioca starch act like tiny sponges. They form an invisible, breathable barrier that spreads sweat across your skin. This allows your body heat to quickly evaporate the moisture away, giving bacteria less sweat to munch on. Activated charcoal takes it a step further by acting like a microscopic magnet. It pulls in wetness and traps odor molecules deep inside tiny tunnels, locking them away so your underarms stay clean, dry, and fresh all day.

Bacterial Balance Support

Ingredients like witch hazel, coconut oil, and lactic acid act as gentle cleansers. They sweep away excess oils and impurities to keep your underarms feeling fresh. But keeping the area clean is only half the battle; maintaining the right environment is equally important.

That’s where mild acids and mineral salts, like citric acid and sodium chloride, come in. By helping to maintain your skin’s pH balance, they create an environment where fresh smells thrive and unwanted odors don’t. Many of these ingredients also pull double duty by soothing the skin. They help the formula glide on smoothly and preserve your skin’s natural moisture barrier.

The Natural Transition: What To Expect

When you first switch to a natural deodorant from traditional antiperspirant, your underarms go through a temporary transition phase. Your underarms need to adjust to the fresh flow of sweat. 

During the first few days, you may feel like you’re sweating more than usual or that your body odor is more intense. This is completely normal. As your sweat glands adjust, your body returns to its natural baseline. At the same time, different types of skin bacteria repopulate your pits. During this time, this change in bacterial activity can lead to a more intense natural scent. Once your skin chemistry adjusts to this change, the sensations of extra wetness and odor will level out, leaving your natural deodorant to do its job effectively.

How To Choose the Right Natural Deodorant

Because natural deodorants come in a variety of formulations, the right choice depends on what you’re looking (or smelling) for. Here are things to consider when choosing a natural deodorant.

Scent Profile

The first thing you’ll notice about a deodorant will be its scent, so look for ones that smell good to you. If you like rugged and earthy smells, try Maverick Musk. It has notes of leather and wood ash. Prefer something crisp and clean? Sierra Stormsmells like a juniper tree wet from a summer rain.

Ingredient Preferences and Lifestyle

Checking the ingredient label tells you exactly how a stick will feel on your skin and interact with your clothes. 

Dr. Squatch offers two distinct formula types built on different natural bases so you can find the best fit for your skin:

• The traditional stick features a creamy formula built on a base of beeswax, shea butter, and coconut oil. It uses arrowroot and charcoal powder to absorb wetness and trap odors, making it excellent for heavy-duty protection.

• The invisible glide stick delivers a transparent formula. It uses a plant-based liquid (propylene glycol) for glide and a vegetable fat binder (sodium stearate) to harden the stick. Together, they create a clear solid that protects dark shirts from white streaks. Instead of powders, this stick uses natural plant ferments (friendly bacteria like Saccharomyces and Lactobacillus) to neutralize odor on contact. This option is ideal if you want a lighter feel without residue.

Application Style

When it comes to natural deodorant for men, the classic stick remains a popular choice for its ease of use. It glides on smoothly, depositing an even layer of protection that works well through underarm hair without leaving behind sticky residue.

Of course, the stick is just one of many different types of deodorant. Spray deodorant offers a quick-drying application that’s perfect for on-the-go refreshes. If you need something more targeted, precision deodorant creamsallow for controlled application. And convenient travel sizesare great to have on hand for touch-ups.

Level Up Your Routine With Dr. Squatch

Switching to a natural deodorant is a simple way to refine your daily grooming. By choosing formulas made with recognizable ingredients, you can easily align your personal care routine with your specific preferences.

With a little experimentation and the tips from this article, you’ll find a formula that fits into your routine in no time. Check out the complete line of Dr. Squatch deodorants to find one with the scent, ingredients, and application type that works for you. Each one is made from naturally derived ingredients that’ll keep you feeling fresh and smelling like a champion.

FAQ

Are There Natural Antiperspirants That Are Aluminum-Free?

No. By definition, an antiperspirant must block your sweat glands to stop moisture from reaching the surface of your skin. Currently, aluminum chloride is the only FDA-approved ingredientto do that.

How Often Should Men Apply Natural Deodorant?

Once a day is usually plenty, but how long deodorant lasts ultimately depends on your individual body chemistry and activity level. If you live an active lifestyle or sweat heavily, you might benefit from a second application halfway through the day or before a workout.

Is Dr. Squatch Deodorant Aluminum-Free?

Yes! Dr. Squatch is aluminum-free. We rely on mineral salts, plant starches, and essential oils that humans have been using for centuries. We think there’s value in doing some things the old-fashioned way.