Becky Striepe
Let’s face it, you guys. Natural deodorants are just not as effective as the toxic sort. There’s nothing like a little triclosan to kill pesky underarm bacteria, but the trouble with ingredients like these is that they do more than advertised. For example, overuse of triclosan in cosmetics like deodorants breeds bacterial resistance. Not good, from a public health standpoint!
I have tried a lot of natural deodorants. I mean, a LOT of them. I have 7 different sorts in my bathroom right now, and those are just the ones I’m using at the moment. One of the keys to effective natural deodorant use is rotating them out, so I always keep a few in the cabinet. Of course, when the folks at Naturally Fresh offered to send me a couple of their products for a deodorant test, I jumped at the chance! I mean, what’s 2 more tubes in my growing collection of deodorants, right?
Naturally Fresh Deodorant Crystal
They sent me two samples: their roll on and the spray mist. The spray isn’t an aerosol, just a regular spritz bottle. I’ve got to say right off the bat that I was impressed! For this deodorant test, this is what I did:
- Used the roll on after showering in the morning.
- Used the spritz in the mid-afternoon.
- In the shower, I’ve also been using this homemade pit scrub that has been helping my natural deodorants work better. I started using this scrub before using the Naturally Fresh deodorants, but since it has improved things in general for me, I thought I’d mention it here.
So, why the roll on in the morning and the spritz in the afternoon? Reapplying always helps when we’re talking natural deodorants, but by mid-day your pits are going to have some bacteria on them. I know, it seems a little gross, but it’s just natural for that to happen.
When you re-apply with a roll on, do you think that bacteria stays put? Nope! At least some of it is going to get on the roll on, and since natural deodorants don’t have toxic antibacterials on them, they will breed. This turns your humble deodorant into a stink stick. That’s where the spritz comes in. The spray doesn’t come in contact with your skin, so it’s perfect for that mid-day reapplication.
Deodorant Test: Ingredients
Of course, just because a container says “natural” on the package doesn’t mean it’s natural inside. Like beauty products in general, the term “natural” isn’t regulated. So, what’s in these “Naturally Fresh” bottles?
Spray Mist Ingredients: water, mineral salts
Roll On Ingredients: water, mineral salts, zinc ricinoleate, xanthan gum, chamomile extract, phenoxyethanol
The spray mist is a no-brainer, so let’s just take a look at the polysyllabic ingredients in the roll on, shall we?
- zinc ricinoleate – This ingredient absorbs odors. The Skin Deep Database gives it a 2, which means it’s “low hazard.”
- xanthan gum – A common food ingredients, xanthan gum is a sugar that comes from fermenting soy, wheat, dairy, or corn.
- phenoxyethanol – An alcohol and a preservative, the Skin Deep Database doesn’t have much info on this ingredient. At high concentrations, it can damage reproductive organs, irritate the skin, and is an allergen. We don’t know much about how it works at low concentrations, like in cosmetics.
Still not too bad, as natural deodorant ingredients go! If phenoxyethanol is a concern for you, I’d recommend sticking with the spray mist variety.
Do you guys have a natural deodorant that you completely love? Since I’m a firm believer in rotating deodorants, I’m always on the lookout for new ones to try! If you’re looking for more natural deodorant options, Liz has a great list of ones that work for her!
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