A few months ago, I decided to make the switch to natural deodorant. Natural deodorant is free of aluminum, the ingredient found in conventional antiperspirants that stops you from sweating. While rumors have swirled for years that the aforementioned aluminum ups your risk of breast cancer, there's little scientific evidence supporting that claim.
Still, there is a benefit to using natural deodorant. The thinking is that because natural deodorant doesn't block your pores and prevent sweat, it lets good bacteria thrive so you become less smelly over time. Instead of aluminum, natural deodorants typically rely on a blend of essential oils and baking soda to fight odor and some sort of starch to absorb moisture.
I figured this period when I wasn't going to the gym and then straight to work or happy hour would be the perfect time to introduce my body to natural deodorant. I was particularly interested in finding a natural deodorant (or two, or three) that would leave me smelling fresh post-workout. After all, at some point I'll have to return to normal life and that may include jaunting from a fitness studio to brunch without time to do anything more than change my clothes and spritz on a dry shampoo.
So I put a bunch to the test while working out at home. Specifically while taking indoor cycling classes on my exercise bike.
Which ones fared best? Keep reading to find out.
Image via Taos
This aluminum- and paraben-free deodorant did a great job mitigating odor and wetness during my 30-minute rides. The formula contains baking soda, coconut oil, tapioca starch, probiotics and shea butter. It glides on smoothly and didn't leave any white marks on my workout clothes. My favorite scent is Coconut & Vanilla, which just so happens to be the brand's best-seller. Bonus: The new plastic-free packaging is good for the environment.
This natural deodorant is definitely the most sophisticated one I used and it's become one of my go-tos particularly on days I exercise or run errands. It was created for active lifestyles with a very concentrated formula featuring organic sunflower seed oil, organic tapioca starch, baking soda and essential oils. I was impressed by how little I needed to use, how silky it glided on and how quickly it dried down.
I knew I wanted to try this natural deodorant because it contains charcoal, one of the most popular ingredients in the beauty and wellness worlds right now. Because it draws out toxins, charcoal excels at eliminating odor. This natural deodorant blends odor-fighting charcoal and magnesium with essential oils and other plant-based ingredients. I only needed one swipe to protect my pits and prevent post-cycling stink.
Some people experience irritation when using natural deodorant with baking soda. While the ingredient doesn't bother me, I wanted to give a baking soda-free formula a shot. Enter this pick, which is made with absorbent arrowroot powder and odor-fighting magnesium instead of baking soda. Because of the uplifting citrus scent, I like to swipe this one on before morning workouts. Even without baking soda, it keeps my pits odor-free during and after an intense ride.
