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Putting on deodorant has probably become an auto-pilot activity for you. After taking a shower and before you get dressed, you roll, spray, or dab it on to prevent your underarms from unpleasant odor.
There are many reasons why armpits can smell. The most common is when your sweat comes into contact with the bacteria on your skin. Other causes include hormonal changes, hygiene, bromhidrosis, medications, environmental factors, and even certain foods. Whatever the reason, finding an effective deodorant is key to keeping the pungent pit smell at bay.
Many deodorants on the market today contain chemicals or minerals such as aluminum, parabens, phthalates, talc, and sulfates. You may be concerned about the about potential health risks associated with such ingredients. Or you may simply prefer to use all natural products. Either way, we’ve compiled a list of nine substitutes for deodorant to introduce into your hygiene routine.
Now let’s discuss nine alternatives for deodorant that you may already have in your home, can purchase online, or buy at your local supermarket. We've put together an Amazon list of sweat-proof essentials if you want to purchase them there.
The most straightforward substitute for deodorant is an all-natural product. Instead of chemicals, all-natural deodorants contain ingredients like baking soda and essential oils to neutralize odor-causing bacteria.
How to use: Apply as directed.
Witch hazel contains several compounds that have anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. Because of these properties, it is also one of the best deodorant alternatives.
Witch hazel removes excess moisture from the skin, kills bacteria and instantly removes odor.
The only downside to witch hazel is that it wears off more quickly than traditional deodorant products. To stay fresh and odor-free throughout the day, reapply as needed.
How to use: Pour a generous amount of witch hazel on a cotton ball or pad and liberally dab on your armpits.
The citric acid in lemon juice is naturally antibacterial and antiseptic, which makes for another good substitute for deodorants. The use of lemon juice neutralizes odor and leaves a naturally pleasant citrus aroma.
How to use: Apply a halved lemon directly to the skin. Or, if you’re apprehensive about how your skin will react to the citric acid, mix equal parts of lemon juice and water. Put the solution in an airtight container and place reusable cotton pads in it so you can easily apply with a presoaked pad. Allow to dry completely.
Coconut oil has antibacterial properties, so it effectively gets rid of musky scents. You only need to apply it once during the day and it will keep your armpits odor-free. However, using coconut oil on its own has some obvious downsides to it. Because it is an oil, it is greasy and may stain your clothes if you apply too much.
To use it more effectively, combine it with equal parts of shea butter and baking soda.
If you decide to use coconut oil as a deodorant alternative, consider adding a drop or two of an essential oil, such as tea tree, lavender, and lemongrass for a nice scent.
How to use: Saturate a cotton ball with the oil and dab onto armpits. Or, if combined with shea butter and baking soda, apply paste-like substance with fingers. Allow to dry completely.
Apple cider vinegar has antiseptic and antibacterial properties that eliminate odor caused by sweat. However, apple cider vinegar has its own unappealing smell that you may not want other people to catch a whiff of.
To prevent this problem, dilute the apple cider vinegar with water or use it as an ingredient in a homemade deodorant. You can also find a natural deodorant product that has apple cider vinegar in it if you’re not interested in making your own.
How to use: Saturate a cotton ball with apple cider vinegar and dab onto armpits. Allow to dry completely.
Baking soda and cornstarch absorb the smell produced by bacteria and sweat. It’s easy to create a deodorant alternative using these two ingredients, either as a powder or as a paste.
How to use: If you prefer the powder form, mix equal amounts of each and apply with your hand by patting the mixture on your armpits. Or, if you prefer a paste, add a small amount of water to 1/8 teaspoon each of baking soda and cornstarch, and mix. Apply with your fingers to your underarms.
You probably already know that rubbing alcohol has antibacterial properties. Therefore, it can eliminate odor-causing bacteria in your armpits. To enhance the scent, combine alcohol with witch hazel and a drop or two of an essential oil, such as tea tree, lavender, and lemongrass.
How to use: Pour into a spray bottle and spritz throughout the day.
The hair on your armpits traps moisture and allows bacteria to grow. When you shave your pits, you can reduce (not eliminate) the pungent pit smell. Shaving your armpits also improves absorption and efficiency when applying deodorant and deodorant alternatives. (Avoid applying acidic ingredients, like vinegar or lemon juice, to freshly shaven areas.)
Like shaving your armpits, wearing an undershirt with antimicrobial properties will help reduce the smell of pungent pits. Ejis sweat proof undershirts (available in our shop or on Amazon) and our essential undershirts (sold exclusively on Amazon) are infused with odor-fighting silver to keep your underarms – and the rest of your upper body – feeling fresh all day!
All-natural deodorants and natural products, such as witch hazel, lemon juice and apple cider vinegar, are some of the best alternatives to deodorant that you can use. To achieve even better results, shave your armpits and wear an Ejis undershirt to keep your pits fresh throughout the day. Some of these natural alternatives, as well as hand cleaning products in your office, work well in a pinch if you forget to apply deodorant.
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Body odor is a byproduct of sweat interacting with the bacteria that is already on your skin. To combat body odor coming from your armpits, many people use a deodorant. But what kind? In this article, we highlight the pros and cons in the great gel vs solid deodorant debate to help you choose the best product for your needs.
