Naturalla Beauty

Deodorant is unarguably one of the hardest products to switch over when trying to green your personal care routine.  About two years ago, I begrudgingly gave up the search and have been making different variations of my DIY cream deodorant ever since.  While that recipe is the opposite of difficult, there have been many times I've lamented the ease and convenience of store-bought versions.  Not to mention, working in the bodycare department of a health food store as I do means that I'm frequently asked for deodorant recommendations.  Really, it was well past time I found something on store shelves that I like and can feel confident recommending....and I'm happy to say I've found two!



Nourish had their sitewide 50% off sale for Black Friday and I was able to snag their Fig deodorant for a mere $5.  (Regular $9.99, but available for $5.99 on Vitacost.)  Like the rest of Nourish's line, the deodorant holds USDA organic certification and the ingredients are impeccable.  It's made with coconut oil and shea and cocoa butters and feels like you're applying a rich body butter to your pits.  For wetness and odor control it relies on cornstarch and a plant enzyme ferment.  

But, I'm sure what you're really wondering about is how it works.  The fig scent - which you may remember I got a bit sick of in the body wash - is fresh, fruity, and perfect for deodorant.  For the first month and a half, everything was perfect.  But, just as I was getting ready to declare this deodorant a winner, it started struggling a little.  Full disclosure: I don't sweat a lot and I'm not generally a very stinky person, but for whatever reason, the Nourish has stopped holding up quite as well as it did in the beginning.  It's still fine for days when I'm not doing much, but if I'm running around all day or exercising, I've started needing a little something extra.

I certainly could reapply throughout the day, but right around the same time, Weleda's Citrus Deodorant just about fell into my lap and I remembered Mary B (of Makeup by Mary B) writing about layering these two products.  That's what I've been doing ever since and I'm happy to say it's been working amazingly well!  The Weleda is alcohol based - great for killing any odor-causing bacteria - and adding a spritz or two on top of the Nourish works like a dream.  And, by applying Nourish's creamy deodorant first, I feel like I'm creating a protective barrier against any potential dryness from the high alcohol content in the Weleda.  The combination keeps me stink-free all day and the two also blend together into the most delightful fruity scent.  

The Bottom Line
I haven't completely written off making my own deodorant, but I'm thoroughly enjoying having other options.  Natural deodorants are always something of a trial and error situation, but I like both of these and I'd recommend trying them - especially the combination of the two, but even individually.  Both deodorants are also free of mineral salts, which are somewhat questionable, safety-wise, and baking soda, which can cause irritation for a lot of people.

Have you tried either of these?  What's your favorite natural deodorant?

Nourish Ingredients: Organic cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, organic beeswax, organic zea mays (corn) starch, organic theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter, organic butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), organic saccharomyces ferment, organic fragrance.

Weleda Ingredients: Alcohol, water, fragrance*, citrus medica limonum peel oil, limonene*, linelool*, geraniol*, citral*, farnesol*
*From essential oils