Funk: Why every man should try natural deodorants

Funk…

And I’m not talking about George Clinton’s music.  I’m talking about the smell emanating from your armpits.  After running 10 miles, Chest day at the gym (also known as Mondays), or completely “bs”-ing through a meeting a work with your team/clients when you didn’t do ALL your due diligence…we can smell it on you.  Funk. You smell funky.

But you’re an adult and you know how to handle your pits when they are starting to irrigate your T-shirt, so no need to worry, right?  I’m not here to re-invent the wheel, just to tell you why you should try something different than whatever you usually pick up at the pharmacy AND give you a few tips on avoiding the pitfall that is pit stains.

Making the switch to natural deodorant is not easy.  I tried it one time previously, and it felt like every couple hours I had to reapply.  It made me miss my go-to, as advertised “stay dry for 24 hours” deodorant.  But after a close friend that’s a doctor out in Chi-town mentioned that I should make an attempt to try again, I decided to give it another shot. (Check out “The Age of Aluminum” documentary on YouTube if you want to learn more). So here’s the rundown…

For those that don’t know, the biggest critique of your standard pharmacy bought deodorant is the aluminum found in antiperspirants.  The aluminum in antiperspirants stops you from sweating.  Some reports conclude that this is a negative.  Sweating helps remove toxins from your body and there are lymph nodes located near your armpits that filter and help remove toxins from your body.  Some reports have linked the increase of toxins in your body to the development of cancer and other diseases.  Also, aluminum chemically reacts with sweat and causes those yellow pit stains that ruin your undershirts.

Unlike your standard store bought deodorant, natural deodorant DOES NOT stop you from sweating. Instead, it helps conceal odor with natural smelling essential oils and ingredients that reduce the bacteria that causes you to smell like the J-train at 1am in the summertime.

So, to sum everything up, natural = good; synthetic = bad.

Now how do you make the switch…

Switching to natural deodorant is not easy.  You are going to smell pretty bad for a couple weeks (2-3 weeks in most cases) as your body adjusts and detoxifies.  But there are some things you can do to help make this transition easier.  Eventually, you won’t need to reapply and your body will acclimate to the switch. Here are a few tips you can try:

1.       Diet – Eating right is probably the best thing you can do for your body.  Not saying that you need to cut out the cheeseburgers or buffalo wings you love completely out of your diet.  As I’m writing this, I’m scarfing down boneless mango habanero wings.  But with all things delicious, you must understand moderation is key. Spicy food and caffeine definitely cause B.O. (bad odor).  So try to eat healthier. A salad here and there won’t kill you.  I will have more advice on what to include in your diet in future entries.
2.       Baking Soda – You probably use this already to keep your fridge smelling fresh but baking soda has some great properties when it comes to fighting odor.  Try using some mild or natural soap in the bath and incorporate using baking soda to scrub your pits.  It definitely helps, but make sure to moisturize your skin after you shower.  I have heard sea salt is also useful but I have not experimented with using it yet.  Scientifically speaking
3.       Essential Oils – Tea tree, peppermint, sage, rosemary, lichen, and lemongrass oil are known to help reduce odor and kill bacteria.  I personally use tea tree and peppermint oil frequently.  If you have sensitive skin, it will give you a burning sensation so try mixing a couple drops with coconut oil and liberally apply to a thin layer to your armpits right before you apply your natural deodorant.
4.       Witch Hazel – Seriously, witch hazel has so many uses.  I use it as a full body toner to tighten up my skin, help reduce scar marks and two-toned areas on my skin.  But I recently learned that witch hazel shrinks your pores, so bacteria can’t get it and it helps evaporate sweat quickly.  Highly recommend keeping a bottle in your medicine cabinet and using 100% witch hazel. Check the label and make sure no alcohol is included.  Alcohol dries your skin out.
5.       Citrus Fruit – My Trinidadian mom made me rub cut limes under my armpits when I was going through puberty.  Don’t judge me.  Nevertheless, citrus is very helpful in killing bacteria and it works.  I don’t do it now because I prefer to save my limes for when I’m taking tequila shots and I don’t like taking produce into the bathroom but just saying…it’s an option.
6.       Shaving/Trimming – Hair traps odor.  If you sweat a ton, shave or trim your armpit hair.  Not only will you notice that you will drastically smell better throughout the day, your deodorant will last longer because you’re not using as much.  Plus, the ladies love the smooth feel of shaved armpits.

I am narrowing down which natural deodorants I like the best and will be making recommendations in a future post.