Natural deodorants: The chemical-free way to fight odour

Will you switch your roll on for a crystal stick?

Aluminium is just one of the reasons people are making the switch to natural alternatives (Getty/iStockphoto)

Deodorant has saved every one of us from the horror of stale changing rooms and many a sweat-inducing moment. But, ever since its link to health issues people have been turning to chemical free solutions instead.

Why? Well, it’s all down to some very questionable ingredients.

An active component in antiperspirants, aluminium is just one of the reasons people are beginning to make the switch.

Because, while we rely on it to keep our underarms fresh – aluminium ions are drawn into the cells that line the sweat ducts, causing the cells to swell so sweat cannot get out - it has also been linked to breast cancer and neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s disease.

That being said, studies about such health risks are not yet definitive with Cancer Research UK confirming that, “There is no good evidence that aluminium in deodorants could increase the risk of cancer in animals or humans.”

Nonetheless, the belief among many is that it’s better to be safe than sorry. Plus, a lot of these new chemical-free antiperspirants are also cruelty-free.

If the thought of wearing a natural deodorant brings you out in a sweat though, be reassured because they’ve come along way since the whiffy versions of the past.

Nowadays, an effective crop are hitting the shelves and seven more surprisingly, they’re from some of the biggest names in the beauty business; think Aesop, Cow Shed, Tarte and Neals Yard.

Investing in a natural deodorant also offers up an opportunity to explore a range of different formulas. Forget roll ons, now you can try powders, creams, liquid pumps and even pure crystal sticks.

Finding the right one for you might take a little experimentation but soon enough irritation, stinging and white marks will all become a thing of the past.