Switching to Natural Deodorant: What to Expect
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In my experience, not much. Most of my customers swap their antiperspirant for CONCHUS deo cream and don't notice any problems - just fresh, soft underarms. A few people notice a short settling-in period, with a little more dampness or a bit more smell for a week or two. If that's you, it's normal, and it passes.
Is switching to natural deodorant a big change?
It's usually a very quiet one. Most people who switch from antiperspirant to CONCHUS natural deodorant tell me there's nothing to report. They just feel fresh, and their underarms feel soft.
Don't just take my word for it. There are loads of reviews on the deo creams from people sharing their own experiences of switching, so have a read on any of the deo cream product pages.
I make deodorant, and I will never make an antiperspirant. I studied radiotherapy at university, and I came away with a belief: our bodies are delicate, complicated systems, and I'd rather give mine fewer unknowns. That's a belief, not a fact, and I explain it properly in deodorant vs antiperspirant: what's the difference?
I spent months researching and more months developing my deo cream, and I almost gave up more than once because it worked but didn't feel right on my skin. After more versions than I can remember, tested by friends and family, it's now my best selling product, with the most reviews. Every order has at least one tin in it.
What might I notice when I switch?
Everyone's different, so here's what's worth knowing, just in case.
- Most people: nothing at all. Fresh, comfortable underarms from day one.
- Some people: feel a little damper than usual for the first few days, especially in warm rooms or when stressed.
- A few people: notice smell comes through sooner in the day for a week or two while things settle.
Why might I sweat a little more at first?
If you've been using an antiperspirant, it's been working by forming temporary plugs in your sweat ducts using aluminium salts. Those plugs clear naturally as your skin renews itself (International Hyperhidrosis Society).
Stop applying it, and your sweat glands simply go back to normal. For some people that feels like more sweat than they're used to, because it is. A deodorant cream isn't designed to change this. Its job is the smell, not the sweat.
Why might I smell more at first?
Sweat on its own barely smells. Odour comes from bacteria on your skin breaking down sweat from the apocrine glands under your arms (nidirect).
What you use under your arms changes which bacteria live there. In one small study, people's underarm bacteria stayed stable while their routine stayed the same, but shifted when they stopped or started using deodorant or antiperspirant - and antiperspirant use had tipped the balance towards the types linked with stronger odour (Callewaert et al., 2014). It was only nine people, so it isn't the final word. But it may explain why a few people have a short adjustment period, and why most don't.
For most people, switching is uneventful. For the few who notice a wobble, give it a fortnight before you decide.
Do I need an "armpit detox"?
You'll see charcoal masks, clay wraps and vinegar soaks sold as a way to "draw out toxins" when you switch. I don't make one, and I wouldn't. There's no good evidence that switching deodorant pulls anything out through your underarms, and most people don't need anything extra at all.
I believe in simple, honest ingredients. I don't believe in scaring you into buying more of them. What helps is boring and free: washing, patience, and a deodorant that's kind to the skin under your arms.
How to transition from antiperspirant to natural deodorant
- Apply to clean, completely dry skin. A pea-sized amount, warmed between your fingertips for a few seconds, is plenty.
- Start with a trial tin. A 15g tin lets you find your scent before you commit to a full size, and it's handy in a bag for a top-up.
- Wear breathable fabrics like cotton and linen while you adjust. Synthetic layers hold on to sweat.
- Wash gently. A mild soap and warm water is all your underarms need.
- Listen to your skin. Redness, stinging or a rash means stop.
Which deo cream is for you?
All my deo creams share one base - arrowroot and kaolin clay, a low amount of bicarb balanced with magnesium hydroxide and zinc ricinoleate, and shea, mango, coconut and jojoba. Every ingredient is on the tin, because I'd never ask you to trust something I couldn't fully show you. The scent is what changes. Starting with a 15g trial tin means you're not committing to a full size until you know.
Cloud - for sensitive skin or no scent
No essential oils at all. Suitable during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The one I'd suggest if you're nervous about irritation.
Peach Tea - soft and sweet
Bergamot, ylang ylang and eucalyptus. My own favourite, and suitable during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Olla - warm and spicy
Sweet orange, cinnamon, clove and patchouli. A cosy, comforting scent that suits the colder months. Not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Who my deo creams aren't for: every one contains a low amount of sodium bicarbonate. If bicarb has irritated you before, mine may not suit you either - patch test a trial tin first, and stop if your skin reacts.
Pregnant or breastfeeding? Choose Cloud, Peach Tea or Cherry Deo Cream.
If you're sweating far more than you'd expect, or it's affecting your daily life, speak to your GP or pharmacist.
Browse every scent in my natural deodorant cream collection.
Questions people ask
Does natural deodorant work?
Yes, for smell. Natural deodorant doesn't stop you sweating, because it isn't designed to. It neutralises odour so you stay fresh while your body does its job. Many of my customers say it works, and you can read their reviews on each deo cream product page.
Will I notice a difference when I switch to natural deodorant?
Most of my customers don't notice any negative effects. They tell me they feel fresh, with soft underarms. A few notice a short settling-in period.
Is it normal to smell more after switching to natural deodorant?
It can happen for a few people, for a week or two, as underarm bacteria adjust. Washing and a midday top-up help while it settles.
How long does it take to adjust to natural deodorant?
Many people don't need any adjustment time. If you do, it usually settles within a week or two. Give it a fortnight before you decide whether it's working for you.
Do I need an armpit detox?
No. There's no good evidence your underarms need detoxing. Soap and water do the job.
What about a big day while I'm switching?
I'd never suggest going back to antiperspirant. Wear breathable layers, wash gently before you go, and keep a 15g trial tin in your bag for a top-up.
Why does my natural deodorant itch?
Often it's bicarb, or applying to damp or freshly shaved skin that's already irritated. Try applying to fully dry skin. If it still itches or turns red, stop using it.
The easiest way to start is small. A 15g trial tin is £4.45 and lasts around 2-4 weeks - long enough to know. You'll find every scent in Try a Trial Size. And if you have a question about switching, send me a message or leave a comment below. I'll help you choose.
Camilla x
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