Goodbye Yellow Stain: 5 Aluminum-Free, Natural Deodorants To Try
Tired of dealing with yellow stains on white shirts? Try these 5 aluminum-free natural deodorants that are also gentle to your skin.
Although there have been many studies that suggested aluminum compounds could cause cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, there’s no hard evidence that cemented the legitimacy of the claim.
One thing we know for sure: aluminum causes yellow stain on the shirt – that’s enough reason for you to stay away from it if you love wearing white.
Aluminum-based deodorants or antiperspirants are chemical-laden – they clog up your pores and preventing your body from releasing sweat healthily. By choosing aluminum-free deodorants or antiperspirants, you are also becoming less reliant on them – many have reported that once they stopped using aluminum-based antiperspirants, they sweat even more than normal (and so they need to keep using them).
Deodorant VS Antiperspirant
What’s the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant? Simple. Antiperspirant stops your sweat glands from sweating while deodorant prevents bacteria from turning your sweat into odor. Antiperspirant blocks your sweat glands by using aluminum compounds (or specifically, Aluminum Chloride, Aluminum Chlorohydrates or Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex GLY) while deodorant mainly contains alcohols and fragrance to neutralize odor. However, many deodorants in the market today also contain aluminum, making them a hybrid of deodorant + antiperspirant.
The only problem with using aluminum-free deodorants is that they do not stop you from sweating (which is a good thing from a health point of view) as they only work on fighting your odor. If you’re OK with that, here are 5 aluminum-free deodorants that actually work, based on customer reviews we’ve collected:
Nuud Deodorant
Instead of aluminum, perfume, and all those traditional ingredients that make up a deodorant, nuud is only made of “micro silver” and 9 other organic materials. “Micro silver”? Yes, silver has a natural antimicrobial characteristic that makes it the perfect anti-odor ingredient.
Is nuud the first brand to use silver? No. “Nano silver” is widely used by consumer brands (e.g. Nivea) and “nano silver” is also relatively cheaper to manufacture and more effective compared to “micro silver”, except that it’s small enough to penetrate skin and bloodstream. “Micro silver” is a safer option compared to nano silver.
One great thing about nuud is that you don’t need to apply it every day or every time after shower. You can apply it every other day, a few times a week, or even lesser after a longer period of use. But here’s the catch: it might take some time to work for some people. Personally, I’ve been using it for more than 6 months and I have no complaints so far.
Lavilin Underarm Deodorant Cream (Organic)
Backed by many reviews on Reddit and review sites, this more than 40 years old Lavilin Underarm Deodorant Cream is a must-try. Made of plant extracts and oils, this Lavilin cream was originally made for soldiers in military barracks to counter body odor. Even more magical than nuud: one application of this cream can last up to 7 days.
Same as other oil-based natural deodorants, sports and showering do not affect the effectiveness of the product, and its plant-based ingredients make it hypo-allergenic.
UNDERARMED Natural Deodorant Stick by Super Natural Goods
The word “luxury” in the product tagline surely has piqued my interest, if not for the number of positive reviews this product has received online.
UNDERARMED Natural Deodorant is made entirely of organic ingredients with an extra bonus: you get to choose 3 subtle scents that are added to the deodorant by usual therapeutic grade native essential oils. (There’s an unscented version as well.) It is also cruelty-free and Paraben-free.
With a 60-day money-back guarantee, the founding McLellan family surely knows what they’re doing. Every UNDERARMED stick is handmade by the McLellan family in Nashville, Tennessee.
Soapwalla Original Deodorant Cream (Vegan)
You can probably eat Soapwalla Original Deodorant Cream without worrying – this vegan product is made of high-quality food-grade ingredients. The main ingredient of Soapwalla deodorant cream is a fine vegetable powder, clay, and essential oils, with a dash of lavender, peppermint, and tea-tree extracts.
As the cream does not have any preservatives, it is advisable to use the cream within 12 months of purchase (they’re made to order). In hot summer, the frosting-like cream may liquefy due to the lack of hardening wax, but it does not affect the effectiveness of the deodorant. Leave the cream in your freezer for about 20 minutes and you’re good to go – it’s just like ice-cream! LOL
If sustainability is your concern, Soapwalla is in fully sustainable packaging.
Milk of Magnesia (MoM) Roll-in Deodorant by The People’s Pharmacy
Also, a popular deodorant discussed on Reddit, MOM is wildly loved for its gentle, irritation-free, and effective Milk of Magnesia active ingredient.
Milk of Magnesia is in fact an alkaline (Magnesium Hydroxide) and it’s often found in oral medication that treats stomach acid, constipation, and indigestion. The alkalinity of this mineral creates an inhospitable environment for odor-producing bacteria and makes it an ideal deodorant. It’s hypo-allergic and free of fragrance.