Why Natural Deodorant Doesn't Stop Sweat

A few years ago, a customer emailed me because she thought her natural deodorant wasn't working.

"I still sweat."

My response probably surprised her.

You are supposed to.

One of the biggest misconceptions about natural deodorant is that its job is to stop sweat.

It isn't.

Sweating is one of your body's natural functions. It helps regulate temperature and prevent overheating.

The ingredient that stops sweating in conventional antiperspirants is usually aluminum salts. These ingredients temporarily block sweat glands to reduce the amount of perspiration reaching the surface of the skin.

Natural deodorants work differently.

Instead of trying to prevent sweat, they focus on controlling odor.

And here's an interesting fact:

Sweat itself doesn't actually smell.

Body odor appears when sweat comes into contact with bacteria naturally present on the skin. Those bacteria break down components of sweat and create the odor we associate with perspiration.

The goal of a natural deodorant is to help keep those odor-causing bacteria in check while allowing your body to continue doing what it was designed to do.

That's why when you switch to a natural deodorant, you may still notice dampness on a hot summer day, during a workout, or while rushing after your kids.

What you shouldn't notice is unpleasant odor.

When I formulated our deodorants, my goal was never to create an antiperspirant.