Stress Sweating at Work? Here’s Why Switching from Antiperspirant to Natural Deodorant Could Help

Y’all Secret Deordant’s “Stress Sweat” commercial triggered me (see below).

Although I’m going to completely tear apart their ingredients list in this post, I do agree with them that “stress sweat” is a problem. Stress sweat at work and in daily life is a real thing. And it’s something that I struggled with in the past. When you combine this stress sweating with actually walking to work (which I did) and then leading an active lifestyle, it adds another layer to your body management needs.

If you are an excessive sweater, like me, then switching from an antiperspirant natural deodorant can be hard. If your sweat is potent enough to have a smell (no matter how many showers you take, or how much deodorant you slap on), then you may or may not have a condition, which further complicates you turning to natural deodorant. If you have sensitive skin (then you most likely will be sensitive to the baking soda that’s in many natural deodorants) which kicks going natural up to the almost impossible notch.

I say ALL of this to say, that I have all of the problems listed above, BUT I still successfully switched to natural deodorant. In fact, despite using normal deodorant and antiperspirants, I was still experiencing all of that, so I thought, “why not.” I didn’t even realize the type of journey I was headed towards.

What’s the difference between Deodorant and Antiperspirant?

If you’re thinking about switching from antiperspirant to natural deodorant, then you should get familiar with the different terms that are associated with the process.

• Deodorant – Used to combat bad odor. This odor usually comes from the hairs under your armpit, which hold sweat and bacteria. Deodorant is supposed to kill the bacteria on your skin. Some also serve as an antiperspirant.
• Antiperspirants – Used to reduce sweating. This is usually achieved by plugging your pores on the outer layer of your skin. This, in turn, reduces the amount of sweat that’s allowed to surface. Which is not good! You’re supposed to sweat.
• Hyperhidrosis – This is just a fancy-schmancy word for excessive sweating. If your pool of sweat is coming from your armpits, then it’s called Axillary Hyperhidrosis.
• Transitioning – During this process, your body is releasing the toxins that it has been getting from you using regular deodorants and antiperspirants. It could take 2 or more weeks to complete. During this time you might also smell a bit crazy. This will happen there’s no way to avoid it.

Ok, we’re good? I’d like to mention before we start, that I 100% paid for all of these products out of my own pocket. I’m saying this because finding the right natural deodorant is all about trial and error. AND it ain’t cheap!

The Types of Toxic Ingredients in Deodorants & Antiperspirants

Regular deodorants and antiperspirants are normally filled with aluminum, propylene glycol, parabens, triclosan, steareths, triethanolamine (TEA), diethanolamine (DEA), artificial colors, fragrances, talc, silica, and phthalate. Which are all bad and can lead to health issues. This is a lot so I’ll briefly break these down.

Aluminum – It’s only found in antiperspirants, not deodorants. Aluminum salts are included in formulas in order to plug your underarm sweat ducts and assist with stopping your sweat. It can also minimize body odor by hindering the bacteria that feeds off of your sweat. Aluminum stays in the body and can build up over time, and because of this, it has been tied to Breast Cancer and Alzheimer’s. It can also be listed as the following on your labels: Aluminum chlorohydrate, ammonium aluminum sulfate, potassium aluminum sulfate, aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly

Propylene Glycol (or PG) – It was originally developed to be used as anit-freeze. When consistently used every day, it can cause serious changes to your central nervous system, heart, and liver. To add fuel to the fire, it can be an irritant to those with sensitive skin. Propylene Glycol can also be harmful in small doses (as little as 2%) but deodorant has been known to have percentages up to 50%. Beware, as this ingredient is usually the first or second ingredient listed (even in some natural deodorants).

Parabens – These are used to increase the shelf-life of products. It can even be found in other beauty products (like makeup) and food products. It’s believed that it imitates estrogen, and has been found in breast tumor tissues in the past. Additionally, parabens have been said to be possible endocrine system disruptors.

Triclosan – This is an irritant for those who suffer from dermatitis, or sensitive skin. While it’s found in deodorant, it can also be a listed ingredient in soaps and hand sanitizers. It’s used to kill bacteria in the manufacturing process and eliminate ordor when applied to your skin. This has been labeled as a pesticide by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has been identified as a likely carcinogen (when combined with the chlorine in tap water, forming a gas called chloroform) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. It has also been identified as an endocrine disrupter for animals, affecting their thyroid hormone function (which is involved in almost EVERY function in the body), and increasing the development of hay fever and allergies.

Steareths – Also closely related to “polyoxyethylene 20 stearyl, Steareth-2, Steareth-15, Steareth-20, and Cetereath-20”. This is a known carcinogen that’s often used to either thicken a product or keep the product from separating. 

Triethanolamine (TEA)  & Diethanolamine (DEA) – Both of these chemicals are known carcinogens, that have been banned in products in Europe. When these break past the barriers of your skin, it can seep through and negatively affect your liver and kidney.

Artificial Colors – Artificial colors and bleachers are also known to be carcinogens, that can irritate your skin, and cause negative body reactions.

Fragrances & Perfumes – Found in deodorants in order to reduce body odor. Things labeled as scents are protected under trade laws, BUT these could contain skin irritants or other toxic chemicals that could negatively affect your body. This is due to the FDA not requiring brands to list out the full ingredients of things labeled as “Fragrance.”

Talc – Also a known ingredient in baby powders, and other personal care products. Some forms of talc contain Asbestiform Fibers, which are known carcinogens that are difficult to study. It’s best to stay away from these because of the lack of details surrounding them.

Silica – Used in deodorants to absorb moisture from sweat. This can, however, be the cause of itching or irritation under your arms. Besides being an irritant, if the Silica is contaminated with crystalline quartz (a known carcinogen) it could lead to the development of cancer cells and respiratory diseases. 

Phthalates – If a smell lingers, it could contain Phthalates. This includes body wash, shampoo, lotion, hair products, soaps, and more. The harm comes in from how it affects your body’s hormone production, specifically testosterone in both women and men. Reproductive, fetal development, asthma, and lowered IQs have all been linked to Phthalates as well.

Switching from Antiperspirant to Natural Deodorant: The Detox Period

When you take it all in, it’s kind of scary what we allow to touch our skin and eventually enter into our systems. This is why when you decide to make the switch from traditional antiperspirants to a natural deodorant, you’ll naturally smell like a very ripe onion, and in my case, your sweat will pick up. Your body will naturally begin to let go of all of the toxins that it’s grown used to. This is a good thing. The hard part for me was figuring out which natural deodorant I needed to use in order to keep all of that at bay.

So, at this point I essentially self-diagnosed myself and I believed I had Axillary Hyperhidrosis. At first, I probably was being very dramatic, but as I continued on my journey, this seemed to be the only possible answer. So, I started looking for a natural deodorant that would be an alternative to regular deodorant, but also have antiperspirant properties without disturbing my pores. The key ingredients that I needed to look for in my “natural” deodorants/antiperspirants where: mineral salts, clays, powders, witch hazel, and essential oils (only some).

I did a TON of research to figure out which product would do this for me. I found this EWG Skin Deep Database helpful. It essentially lists out how dirty products are based on a few key factors, and how these ingredients might affect your body. The level of toxicity is then ranked on a scale ranging from 1 (low hazard) all the way to 10 (high hazard).

Another website that I stumbled upon was SkinCarisma. It lists the EWG rating, CIR rating (which assesses ingredient safety data) and also breaks down what each ingredient does in each of the products. It’s very eye-opening and showcases other skincare products that you might be using. Check it out!

Trial 1: Schmidt’s Naturals Deodorant – Bergamot + Lime Natural Deodorant Stick

I decided to go with Schmidt’s Naturals Deodorant. Specifically, I tried their Bergamot + Lime Natural Deodorant Stick.

The Price [$5]: A 3.25 oz container will run you about $8-$10 at Walmart or on Amazon.

The Verdict: It was not for me. It did a good job with the first part of my transition period. It held my smell back, and I didn’t sweat that much during that time. BUT it did not work for my skin. My underarm burned and I broke out so bad. I stopped using it after the first few days.

That was no good, and I still refused to go back to regular deodorant, because I’d already started transitioning to natural deodorant, so I didn’t want to go backward. I did more research and then it became 100% clear that Schmidt’s Naturals Deodorant contained baking soda. Baking soda ( which is a popular ingredient in a lot of natural products) was the reason why I was breaking out.

Trial 2: Equate’s Original Milk of Magnesium – DIY Natural Deodorant Spray

I decided to switch it up. I honestly was more focused on not smelling like a pig, than keeping my excessive sweating in check. Keep in mind, I was still transitioning. I read somewhere that milk of magnesium was the solution for underarm odor. If you’re familiar with Milk of Magnesium (MoM), it’s a popular laxative, not deodorant. So I was a little iffy. I should note that there is a brand that makes Milk of Magnesium deodorant, but I opted to put the actual MoM inside of a squirt bottle, and create my own DIY natural deodorant spray. I’d spay a bit under my arms each morning and head out the door.

The Price [$4]: A 26 Fl oz bottle of Milk of Magnesium (Original Flavor) will run you about $4-$6 at Walmart or on Amazon. So it’s fairly cheap for the amount of product that you receive. 

The Verdict: When I first started using MoM it was great. I didn’t smell that bad and I didn’t break out. My sweating was unbearable though. The product is already watery, so that didn’t help either. And I’d always have a white ring around my armpit because of the creamy white color of the MoM. My mother was also concerned with the long-term effects of using the product, and rightfully so. I had no clue if this was safe. So, I moved on from it. If anyone wants an almost full bottle of MoM, I gotchu!

I’d kind of given up at this point in my journey. The transitional period was nearing the end, but I was still sweaty and you could smell me from a mile out. Did I mention it was summertime? Lol I’m being dramatic of course, but I could smell myself, and I didn’t like that. So I did a few things next.

Trial 3: Aztec Secret’s Indian Clay + Apple Cider Vinegar

I detoxed my armpits with Aztec Secret’s Indian Healing Clay, using Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar as my liquid base. Those 2 products together do wonders on the detoxing and cleansing side of things. I also used Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo, to wash and “detox” my armpits. This step is optional and honestly did not do much for me. I later went on to just use apple cider vinegar, with a bit of water daily on my armpits.

The Price [$14]: The Indian Healing Clay is a bit tricky to find in stores. I usually go to a local natural store to find it. A 15.5oz container can be found at Target, for around $8 (if it’s not sold out!). You can also save a bit, by ordering 3lbs of the clay for only $20 on Amazon! A 32 fl oz of Bragg’s Vinegar will run you about $5-6 bucks at your local Target, Walmart or on Amazon.

The Verdict: I didn’t really detox again after the first time I tried this. I did, however, continue to use ACV and water spray mixture. My Apple Cider Vinegar and water mixture was great. Granted I put more ACV on my armpit than water, so I knew it was going to work. In general, most people believe that ACV has antibacterial properties, and I think that’s why my odor went away. 

While that did work, I still believe the bacteria under my arms is serious and in a league of its own, while everyone else’s bacteria is “play-play” bacteria. Why do I say this? Because!! No matter how many masks or detox treatments I did, the smell always resurfaced. Well as you might have guessed, ACV can in no way be a long-term solution. Especially when people (mostly my dad) start complaining about the strong smell of ACV radiating off of ya. Which honestly goes away in like 2.5 seconds, so he was just being dramatic. My armpit is also a smart little cookie. It gets used to products and then they stop working. So goodbye ACV.

Trial 4: Crystal 24hr Unscented Deodorant Roll-On

So… moving on. The solution to all of my problems. The next thing I stumbled upon was Crystal, a 24 hr Unscented Mineral Deodorant Roll-on stick.

The Price [$3]: A 2.25 fl oz bottle will cost you about $3-$4 at Walmart or on Amazon.

The Verdict: This product is great. I didn’t even do research on it before I began using it, which is out of character for me. But it did indeed keep me dry, I had no rash, and despite the product being unscented, it kept my smell at bay. I’d gone through two little roll-on bottles before my armpits started acting up. It once again got used to the roll-on and I’d have to reapply, and my sweat was ridiculous. So I shimmied on to a new ting.

Trial 5: Native Deodorant – Charcoal

NEXT *in the voice of all those MTV people who used to scream it* (if you know you know) 

We have Native Deodorant. I believe they’re new-ish on the natural deodorant block. Once again I didn’t do any research and I just walked in the store and bought it.

The Price [$12]: A 2.65oz container (which is a standard size for most deodorants) will cost you about $12 at Target or on Amazon, which is expensive AF for deodorant. Yes, you read the price right. So it had to be good right?

The Verdict: Wrong. It didn’t really hold me down when it came to the sweating. If it was a day when I wasn’t sweating as much it was ok. I didn’t break out either, but I didn’t like this when it came to the odor factor. I bought the Charcol scent, and that smell ended up being annoying, and eventually gave me a headache. This deodorant also seemed to kind of cover up the smell. For example, if I started to smell crazy, I’d put the deodorant on. In the end, I’d still smell crazy, I’d just smell extra crazy because now the charcoal smell was added on top of it. Nope. I stopped using this because of this.

Trial 6: Certain Dri Roll-On Antiperspirant

I was really on a mission now to stop the smell. I went to the dermatologist and she didn’t do much honestly. She squeezed my armpit and made like a “Yep I’ve seen this before” face. She suggested that I try, Certain Dri Roll-on to stop my excessive sweating. I followed her instructions and only applied this prescription-strength antiperspirant at night for the next few weeks.

While I did this, I admittedly went back to using Schmidt’s Naturals Deodorant. It actually worked, and I didn’t smell crazy or sweat. I just had to use ointment around my armpit so I didn’t break out or burn. This was definitely not ideal, but I ended up using the whole stick. I should mention that Schmidt does also offer a sensitive skin deodorant, but they’re pricey so I was too nervous to make another purchase and get the same result.

The Price [$6]: A 1.2oz container will cost you about $6 at Walmart or on Amazon. This stuff is completely worth it. You will not need to use it every day, and it should last for months.

The Verdict: This stuff is amazing! My sweating did stop, which in turn made the smell go away as well. I attribute this to it being an antiperspirant. According to my dermatologist, it’s not the best for everyday use. Which was fine by me, because I was ultimately trying to get away from using antiperspirants. So my solution was to rotate between all of the deodorant sticks that I’d previously purchased for daytime wear. In the end, though there was a clear winner.

The Best Alternative to Antiperspirant for Heavy Sweaters + Grooming Tips

The winner for me ended up being the Crystal Roll-on. It controlled my excessive sweating, I didn’t smell bad, and I didn’t break out. Yes my armpits got used to it and it stops working, but when that happened, I briefly switched back to Native Deodorant because let’s face it, I spent $12 on it so I’m going to use it (despite wanting to puke because of the smell)! I ultimately couldn’t take the smell, so a few months after, I completely stopped using Native.

If I dive deeper into the Crystal ingredients they could also be a little better. But they don’t include those other abrasive ingredients that are known to be linked to cancer, Alzheimer’s and more.

In order to lessen my brash armpit smell, I learned a few grooming tips. They were:

• Shaving my armpits before they got extremely hairy. Even the slightest bit of hair could cause unwanted smells.
• Not wearing natural deodorant every single day. I usually go without my natural deodorant on the weekends too, so no one will give me the side-eye if I start smelling crazy.

This brings me to this point. If I start smelling crazy or sweating excessively, I just use Certain Dri Roll-on at night, and then the next day there’s no smell and I’m not sweating bullets. I do this as needed because I do not want my body to become dependent on antiperspirants.

Recap / TL;DR

If you’re sweating a bunch, have an unexplainable armpit smell, or sensitive skin, try using Certain Dri’s Roll-On at night and Crystal’s 24 hr Roll-On during the day. While this particular combo works for me, it may not completely work for you. I highly encourage you to try out a few of the brands that I’ve used in the past because it might work for you!

You should also be able to get to a point where you’re no longer using deodorants or antiperspirants as much, especially on the weekends. This way your body isn’t dependent on these products, which is way better for you in the end anyway!

If you’ve read all of this you deserve a cookie! Have any suggestions, or think I should try something else? Send me the money to purchase it. Hahaha. Happy Natural Deodorant / Antiperspirant hunting!

WHAT’S NEXT?

1) Pin this post, and drop a comment below!

2) Once you pick a natural deodorant, plan an adventure.

3) Natural Deodorant hunting stressing you out? Try these self-care activities!

References: Cheat Sheet; Don’t Mess With Mama; Truly’s Natural Deodorant; Green America; Annmarie Skin Care; TIME