No one wants to be caught smelling a little funky, so we all make an effort to avoid noxious smells emanating from our body (well, we hope, anyway!) It makes the post-workout double trouble of stickiness and smelliness slightly more bearable.
Often, products we use daily get shoved to the back of our long to-do lists and are not given a second thought as we go through our morning or evening routine.
Such has happened with the trusty and often underrated king of hygiene, the humble deodorant. But have you ever given thought to what ingredients make up that discounted stick of deodorant?
The best natural deodorants for working out is not easy to find among so much misinformation. If you do not know where to start, take a gander at the results of our own research into more environment-friendly, skin-friendly deodorant that does not sacrifice effectiveness.
We made sure you could feel safe putting on these all-natural products and still avoid stinking to the high heavens!
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let us dispel the most common myths about deodorant.
Myth Busting the Block
- Deodorant Will Give You Alzheimer’s.
Where does this myth come from? It is true that Alzheimer’s patients have unusually high amounts of aluminum build-up in their systems, but no study has offered solid evidence to support the claim that everyday aluminum contact, including deodorant use, inevitably leads to this infamous brain disease. Our bodies just can’t absorb high enough levels of aluminum through the skin to cause harm.
That said, daily use of the cheapest and most synthetic deodorant is not the way to go either. Doctors urge a little caution and say to save the harsher, non-natural stuff for special occasions like parties or important meetings. Natural deodorants are much better for everyday use.
- Deodorant Messes with Your Body’s Natural Bacteria and Leads to Sickness.
When our sweat, which is actually odorless, comes in contact with bacteria in our armpits, pubic regions, and other sweaty areas, it emits a body odor specific to every human being.
Deodorant is literally made to kill that odor-causing bacteria that gathers at your armpits, not anything else. Our bodies are chock-full of different kinds of bacteria, so it may be easy to conflate one type with the rest.
While there is no evidence that deodorant causes bacteria-related illness, doctors still urge caution. No one wants to smell bad, especially when working out, but using a natural deodorant avoids other hotly-contested ingredients like parabens, which may be linked to cancer.
- Deodorant Definitely Causes Kidney Disease/Kidney Failure.
This one is just plain false. Deodorants with aluminum have this warning because patients on dialysis should not be introducing aluminum particles to their systems.
People who already have kidney problems are the ones susceptible to aluminum that can be found in deodorant, but those of us lucky enough to have healthy kidneys do not have to worry about small amounts.
This does not mean deodorant is particularly good for us, either, which is why so many natural deodorant products are usually better choices.
Now that you are armed with some facts, would you rather take a chance by using chemically-laden deodorant for your work out, or try natural deodorants, which use gentler, equally effective ingredients?
Best Natural Deodorants for Working Out:
1. Tom of Maine’s
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Tom of Maine’s is a lot of consumers’ and doctors’ favorite choice when confronted about worries over chemical deodorants. This stick is aluminum-free, contains no parabens or artificial fragrances, offers 24-hour protection, and is, of course, all-natural!
For those of you who prefer vegan products, Tom of Maine’s also promises no animal byproducts were used in the making of its deodorant. Yet another bonus: this deodorant is kosher and halal certified!
Worried that it will not hold up to your work out? Remember that making the switch from harsh synthetic deodorant to gentler alternatives might take longer than one day. Give it a try for a week or two and see how your body adjusts.
2. Lavilin Bio Balance Cream Deodorant
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Running a marathon tomorrow and have no time to test out a natural alternative that takes a little while to kick in? Lavilin is your new go-to. While it is different from your standard natural deodorant formula in this cream version, rest assured your sweat is not leaving your pores!
It claims with one application, you can go up to seven days without an odor or a hint of sweat—even without reapplying, and even if you shower vigorously in between.
It is hypoallergenic, paraben-free, and herbal rather than chemically-laden. Plus, if the thought of a cream still weirds you out a little, they also have a roll-on version that is just as all-natural.
3. LaVanila – Sport Luxe Healthy Deodorant
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This choice is a double whammy ineffectiveness, promising to eliminate both odor and sweat without the help of any chemicals or parabens.
It comes in a variety of scents, like coconut and vanilla, that is also naturally based and not overwhelming like a standard stick. Reviewers cannot get enough!
4. All Good Deodorant
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All Good uses arrowroot powder for its absorbent power. It also features aloe for those of us with very sensitive skin, and lacks any parabens, GMOs, and even gluten!
Trust it to protect your clothes from stains, whether you are hanging out at home or finishing up a two-hour gym session.
5. Vapur AER Next Level Deodorant
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Looking for something that will not move from your armpits, no matter how many triathlons you do in a row?
Need something that would stick while you swim across the entirety of the English Channel? Look no further than Vapur. It is all-natural, but that does not mean it is not powerful!
Final Thoughts
You do not have to smell like you just finished skinny dipping in a sewer if you make the switch to natural deodorant for working out.
Our picks prove that ingredients that may not be common can be just as effective as aluminum for blocking the nasty bacteria that gathers in our sweatiest nooks and crannies.
Who knows – maybe you will not even need to switch back to synthetic sticks on special days. Nature is powerful all on its own!
