Much like toilet paper, deodorant has evolved at a painfully slow rate over the past century. Aside from some snazzy marketing campaigns and flashy colors, the mass produced deodorants that line supermarket shelves are basically the same as they were in the early 1900s.
So what? If your pits stink, you’ll gladly grab whatever deodorant stick is on sale and slap it on. But not all deodorants are created equally.
We were tired of masking body odor with glorified chemical sticks, so we launched our own line of natural deodorant that kills all your stank with no horrifying ingredients that irritate sensitive skin.
But before we learn what natural deodorant is all about, let’s look under the cap of your current deodorant and see what’s up.
What’s Actually in Your Antiperspirant?
That neon blue gel you’ve used since high school might make your underarms smell decent—in a teenage angst kind of way. But if you took the time to peruse the ingredient list, you’d chuck that junk out the window.
Here’s a snapshot of some lovely ingredients people have been pumping into their pits over the last century:
- Parabens: preservative chemicals that mimic the activity of estrogen (yes, the female sex hormone)
- Aluminum salts: tiny rock crystals that clog the pores in your armpits
- Methenamine: a substance often used to prevent sweating within the sockets of prosthetic devices
- Triclosan: an antibacterial compound originally used as a surgical scrub
- Phthalates: chemicals used to make plastic, pipes, insecticides, and vinyl flooring
According to Philip Harvey, Ph.D. and editor in chief of the Journal of Applied Toxicology, some compounds used in deodorant are absorbed by hormone receptors in the underarm area. He and other experts are concerned that some of those compounds have been linked to reproductive problems, Alzheimer’s, lower IQs, and cancer.
We’ll wait while you throw your old deodorant in the trash.
What Makes Natural Deodorant Different?
You could stop using deodorant altogether if you want to steer clear of sketchy chemicals. Some people have even resorted to rubbing baking soda on their pits. But for the sake of everyone else’s nostrils, you can just switch to natural deodorant.
You might notice that most natural deodorants aren’t antiperspirants, meaning they don’t stop you from sweating. They simply use natural ingredients to neutralize odor-causing bacteria. So, what’s in DUDE Natural Deodorant? For starters, we use ingredients that come from the earth—not a chemical lab in who-knows-where.
Chi Town Night is invigorated with cedarwood, peppermint, lemon, and a natural blend of essential oils inspired by the epic vibes of a Chicago night.
LA Coast brings the freshness of the Cali Coast anywhere with a blend of grapefruit, sandalwood, peppermint, and essential oils.
Northwinds taps into your animal nature with a clean rush of white cedar, citrus, and fresh herbs.
No matter which stick you pick (they’re all on Amazon), it’ll be aluminum-free with no artificial colors or smells, no parabens, no junk. Just maximum freshness combined with irresistible aromas.
In addition to being natural, we’re also animal-friendly and vegan. DUDE Deodorant is cruelty-free and made with no animal sourcing or testing. The only pits we put this deodorant on are ours.
Do You Need a Deodorant Detox?
If you’ve been using traditional deodorants and antiperspirants for years, it could take your body a couple of weeks to acclimate to the natural stuff. We call this a “deodorant detox.”
When your sweat glands finally experience an aluminum free deodorant and no longer encounter propylene glycol or other chemicals that prevent wetness, they kind of freak out. And by “freak out” we mean stink. That’s because your body is purging out toxins, bacteria, and chemicals that have built up for so long.
This phase won’t last long, but if you’re self conscious just freshen up with a DUDE Shower body wipe.
The Best Natural Deodorant, Designed for Dudes Like You
When most dudes think about their skincare routine, their armpits probably aren't their priority. But we believe every crevice of your body, no matter how disgusting it may seem, deserves proper protection. Welcome to the fresh life, dude.
