The Best Natural Deodorant NZ
Aluminium free, natural deodorant available in NZ
Are you looking for healthier choices for deodorant? We are on the hunt for the best aluminium free, natural deodorant options available in NZ.
It is now possible to buy a variety of natural deodorants that actually work!
This is what we look for:
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Natural deodorant with ingredients that are as healthy as possible
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Deodorant free of Aluminium, Parabens, Triclosan, Phthalates and Propylene Glycol
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Deodorant that is pleasant to use and doesn't leave white marks
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Natural deodorant that actually stops the stink!
Black Chicken
most effective zinc deodorant
Excellent and effective natural deodorant! Black Chicken Axilla is a smooth non-gooey paste with a light fragrance.
We also love the Barrier Booster version for senstive skin. Black Chicken is Australian, but it's available in NZ and so good, it has to be on the list.
B.BOLD
healthy kiwi deodorant range
B.BOLD delivers great, effective natural deodorant from NZ. They do a few different options including one without sodium bicarbonate and one without fragrance. The consistency is a fine paste that feels slightly powdery on the skin.
The whole B.BOLD range come in glass bottles with aluminium lids.
Zorilla
natural deodorant for men
Zorilla Ess has a lovely creamy paste consistency. The fragrance is stronger than the other natural deodorants and smells quite masculine, because... it's for men!
Zorilla Ess seems effective (based on a 4 day sample) and our first impression is that this is definitely one to add to the list!
Dirty Hippy
probiotic deodorant
Dirty Hippy has a huge range of natural deodorants and vegan deodorants. We tried two of the probiotic deodorants Sexy Hippy and Don't Worry Be Hippy, both with a suitable essential oil based scent for men and women.
The product is more firm and rustic than other products tested, but effective and we love the glass jars and probiotics!
Your Cheat Sheet for Natural Deodorant
Sweat, without the stink!
What is the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant?
Even though they get lumped together as the same thing, deodorants and antiperspirants have different functions. Deodorants (and natural deodorants) help mask and prevent body odour, and antiperspirants prevent you from sweating.
If you are health conscious, this is an important distinction because sweating is one way that your body expels toxins. When using antiperspirants, you literally block off this pathway for years, even decades at the same time as slathering aluminium and other potentially harmful chemicals onto your skin. Obviously, this is not ideal!
Deodorants allow your body to sweat and detox while helping mask and prevent odour. It better allows your body to perform as it’s designed to, without the smell of BO! And if you choose a very natural deodorant, then you limit the number of potentially harmful chemicals that get absorbed through the skin.
Just because it's labelled "natural" doesn't mean it's healthy.
Do you know your deodorant ingredients?
Most supermarket deodorants are a 2-in-1 type product containing antiperspirant & deodorant. And the antiperspirant portion usually contains aluminium. Because of public demand, some now say aluminium free, but they may still contain other ingredients that health-conscious people prefer to avoid. So here is your cheat sheet:
Deodorant ingredients to watch out for:
Potassium Alum- although a natural ingredient, potassium alum is still a type of aluminium.
Propylene Glycol- organic alcohol used as a skin conditioning agent, associated with contact dermatitis. If you suffer from eczema or sensitive skin, avoid.
Parabens- artificial preservatives that can disrupt the function of hormones and reproductive organs and impact fertility. Parabens increase the risk of cancer and cause skin irritation.
Triclosan- an antimicrobial chemical linked to cancer that can also alter your thyroid and hormone function.
Phthalates- endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
Fragrance- the ingredient “fragrance” is tricky! It is a blanket term for any proprietary mix of undisclosed ingredients. Many people find they are sensitive to "fragrance" but have no idea which component because it is not listed. To play it safe, unless the fragrance ingredients are listed individually, you could assume that they are synthetic and potentially unhealthy.
"It'll put hairs on your chest..."
Making the switch to natural deodorant
Are you ready to switch from antiperspirant and synthetic deodorant to natural deodorant? Great!
In our fast-paced world, we want everything now! But when making this switch, it is important to give your body a grace period.
When you have used antiperspirant long term, you have effectively stopped a body process from working. When you switch to a natural deodorant, there are a few things that you need to adjust to.
First, you are essentially unclogging this system, secondly; you are removing certain chemicals that your body had become accustomed to, and third; you are introducing new ingredients at the same time.
Some people can just switch from synthetic to natural deodorant overnight with no problems. Others will need a period of adjustment while your body gets used to doing what it is supposed to do.
Also, not every deodorant is the ideal one for you, you won’t know until you try them!
Above, there are a few brands reviewed of natural deodorant in NZ that you can start with. If you find you are sensitive to one or get a reaction, try one of the sensitive options (without bicarb of soda).
Many people try an armpit detox using magnesium oil or bentonite clay to help the body readjust after all those years of usage. Anecdotal reports are positive for this process too and it can’t hurt to try!