Natural Deodorant 101: How I Found My Perfect Natural Deodorant Match

by Sylvana Janssen

I never thought something as simple as switching deodorant would turn into a whole process. But around the time I started simplifying other parts of my life: less sugar, gentler skincare, tuning in instead of pushing through, I also began to take a closer look at the everyday products I was using. Including the one I rolled on without thinking, every single morning.

One day I looked at my usual antiperspirant and thought, I’m done with this. I assumed I’d grab a natural deodorant and move on. But no one warned me about the trial and error, the way my body would detox, or how weird it feels to smell different while adjusting.

What used to be a quick grab at the drugstore had now become a personal quest. Because how do you find a natural deodorant that works, aligns with your values, and doesn’t throw your body off balance? I’m about to share with you my findings, so keep on reading. 

Why Make the Switch to a Natural Deodorant?

In Ayurveda, our skin is not separate from our inner world, it is a mirror. When we apply anything to the skin, we are feeding it, just as we would our digestion. And this includes deodorant.

Modern deodorants often contain ingredients like aluminum salts, artificial fragrances, and alcohols, substances that may clog the sweat channels, interfere with detoxification, or aggravate the skin (especially for Pitta types).

Natural deodorants, on the other hand, respect the body’s natural processes. Instead of suppressing sweat, which is a necessary cooling and cleansing function, they work by neutralizing odor and supporting the skin’s microbiome.

This small change is actually a powerful shift in your dinacharya (daily ritual): from controlling and suppressing the body to intentionally supporting it. 

Natural deodorants usually avoid ingredients like:

• Aluminum salts (which block sweat glands)
  

• Parabens
  

• Artificial fragrances and alcohol
  
  

Instead, they use ingredients such as:

• Baking soda or magnesium to neutralize odor
  

• Plant oils and butters to nourish the skin
  

• Essential oils for subtle scent
  
  

But let’s be honest, it’s not always an easy switch. Many women (me, I’m one of them) notice more sweating or odor at first, which leads to doubt: is this really working for me? 

What Really Happens When You Switch

When you start using natural deodorant, your body begins a kind of mini detox. Your sweat glands, which have been suppressed for years, get to do their job again: eliminate toxins and cool you down.

That may temporarily cause:

• Increased sweating
  

• A change in body odor, as your skin’s microbiome shifts
  

• Sensitivity to certain ingredients (like baking soda)
  
  

Give yourself grace here. I know I had to. Remember, this is not a failure, it’s a transition phase. And you're not alone. Many women have had to try a few different brands and solutions before finding the one.

How to Find a Natural Deodorant That Supports Your Dosha

For Vata Skin

Dry, sensitive, easily irritated

Vata types benefit from deodorants that are grounding, warming, and moisturizing. Avoid overly drying ingredients like baking soda unless balanced with rich butters.

Look for:

• Shea butter, coconut oil, sesame oil
  

• Warming essential oils like cardamom, clove, sweet orange
  

• Magnesium or arrowroot instead of baking soda
  

Avoid: Menthol, mint, strong astringents

For Pitta Skin

Sensitive, inflamed, prone to rash

Pitta types often struggle with irritation, redness, and fragrance sensitivity. Choose cooling, calming formulas without synthetic scents or strong essential oils.

Look for:

• Aloe vera, calendula, sandalwood, rosewater
  

• Cooling oils like rose, lavender, vetiver
  

• Zinc oxide or magnesium-based deodorants
  

Avoid: Citrus oils, alcohol, baking soda

For Kapha Skin

Oily, clogged pores, prone to body odor

Kapha types benefit from stimulating, clarifying deodorants. Look for detoxifying and warming ingredients that support lymphatic flow.

Look for:

• Baking soda (if tolerated), clay, turmeric
  

• Energizing oils like tea tree, eucalyptus, lemongrass
  

• Drying powders like arrowroot or kaolin clay
  

Avoid: Heavy oil-based balms without absorbent powders

And if all this fails, turn to my personal favourite: alum rock crystal. I can’t say I wasn’t skeptical at first, but now I cannot think of going back to anything else. The principle of the alum rock is simple: 

• It helps detoxify the skin by drawing out toxins (supports body’s cleansing function)

• It neutralizes bad odour by reducing bacterial growth (hello, clean girl summer)

• It helps control excess sweat and oil production (balances Pitta and Kapha)

Don't know your dominant dosha yet? Start by taking the free quiz.

Take the quiz

Rituals to Support the Transition

Daily Armpit Massage (Pre-Shower)

Use warm sesame oil (Vata/Kapha) or coconut oil (Pitta) to gently massage the armpits. This helps open lymphatic channels and nourish the skin.

Herbal Armpit Mask (1–2x/Week)

Mix bentonite clay, a few drops of neem oil, and rosewater to create a gentle paste. Apply under the arms, leave for 10 minutes, and rinse. Supports detox and reduces odor. 

Alternatively, use glycolic acid to exfoliate your armpits once a week. 

Sweat-Reducing Diet

Reduce heating, spicy foods if body odor is strong, which is a common sign of Pitta imbalance. Support your body’s natural elimination functions with warm water, dry brushing, and triphala.

What If It Still Doesn’t Work?

Sometimes it feels like you've tried everything, but you still smell. Here are a few things to check:

• Are you drinking enough water? Hydration affects both sweat production and odor.
  

• How’s your diet? Lots of processed foods, alcohol, or caffeine can amplify body odor.
  

• Hormonal balance: Odor is strongly linked to hormones. During perimenopause, PMS, or thyroid shifts, your scent can change.

A Journey of Connection, Not Perfection

Switching to natural deodorant isn’t a quick fix. It’s an invitation to slow down, to tune in, to listen to your body.

You’re choosing more than just a toxin-free product, you’re choosing a new way of living. One where your scent isn’t something to hide, but a signal you’re learning to understand.

Just like food, skincare, or moments of rest, this is a path. Sometimes uncertain, sometimes beautifully simple. But it’s, without a doubt, always meaningful.