How to Switch to Natural Deodorant (Without Stinking!)

So you've decided to switch from aluminum-based antiperspirants to reduce unnecessary exposure to ingredients that may disrupt the body’s natural balance. But now you're struggling with body odor. You can stay fresh without compromising your health by choosing clean, effective deodorant alternatives that actually work. We'll cover some habits you can adopt to make the switch a pleasant one!

Why People Are Moving Away from Aluminum Antiperspirants

Antiperspirants and deodorants aren’t the same. Antiperspirants reduce sweating by temporarily blocking sweat glands with ingredients like aluminum salts. These salts dissolve on the skin and create a plug within sweat ducts, reducing the amount of perspiration that reaches the surface.

While aluminum is naturally occurring in the environment, it i not an essential nutrient for human health. In excess, it can:

• Displace essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron (source).
• Accumulate in the brain and contribute to conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease (source). 
• Place additional burden on the kidneys, especially in individuals with reduced kidney function

Some studies have also found measurable amounts of aluminum in breast tissue, with higher levels detected in certain regions of the breast in women with breast cancer. While no definitive cause-and-effect link has been established, many consumers choose to minimize unnecessary aluminum exposure in daily-use products. Check out this 2017 and 2018 study which cite concerns about the relationship between aluminum salts and breast cancer. The 2018 study also suggests that excessive aluminum exposure may alter how the body produces or responds to estrogen, the female hormone, which can bring long-term harm to the endocrine system.

Because the endocrine system supports so many important bodily functions, we will always advocate for cutting out as many hormone disruptors as possible, especially in your daily use products.

Concerns Beyond Aluminum

Even “aluminum-free” deodorants can contain ingredients that conscious consumers prefer to avoid, such as:

• Fragrance/parfum (often a mix of undisclosed synthetic compounds)
• Petroleum-derived ingredients like mineral oil or petrolatum
• PEG compounds (potentially contaminated with ethylene oxide or 1,4-dioxane)

For those seeking a cleaner option, natural deodorants provide odor control without blocking sweat glands or relying on synthetic fragrance.

When choosing among different natural deodorant options, you also want one that does not rely too heavily on oils because this will leave oil stains on your clothes. Excessively oily deodorants usually do not dry well and will also leave you feeling sticky. While some oils are totally okay, make sure the deodorant's formula is balancing it with oil-absorbing powders like arrowroot or baking soda.

At Ivy & Fields, we are huge fans of these two natural deodorants, which are not only effective, but don't ruin your clothes: Little Seed Farm and Agent Nateur. Little Seed Farm is by far our most popular, especially since it is baking-soda free. While baking soda is a common "clean" ingredient, it can cause irritation for some people.

Switching To Natural Deodorant

If natural deodorant hasn’t worked for you, it may be because you skipped a critical step in the transition process. Sometimes switching requires more than just swapping the stick in your bathroom cabinet—it’s about resetting your skin’s microbiome and removing residue from years of antiperspirant use.

Choose The Right Formula

Look for a deodorant that:

• Uses plant-based ingredients and powders (arrowroot, baking soda, magnesium hydroxide) to absorb moisture
• Avoids excessive oils that leave stains or a sticky feel
• Is free from synthetic fragrance and petroleum-derived ingredients

Our favorites:

• Little Seed Farm Deodorant Cream – Baking-soda-free, zero-waste packaging, effective for sensitive skin.
• Agent Nateur – Luxurious scent profiles with a clean ingredient list.

Detox Your Pits

Because aluminum deodorants work by blocking your pores, you likely need to flush out the remains of your old deodorant. You can achieve this with a clay-based detox mask. We love this Detoxifying Pit Mask by Earthley. The French green clay works to draw out toxins from your skin.

Many find that they only need to perform this detox at the beginning of their natural deodorant switch. However, if you suffer from anxiety or stress, or perform a lot of physical activity, regularly detoxing helps keep you stink-free! Your hormones can greatly affect your smell!

Use A Deodorant Booster Spray

Pairing your deodorant with a topical spray can improve odor control, especially during the adjustment period.

Options include:

• Hypochlorous acid spray – Kills odor-causing bacteria on contact. This multipurpose topical spray helps tame acne, disinfect hands, kill post-gym bacteria, relieve eczema, and end stinky pits! This spray will even get rid of active stink. So if you're feeling stinky and don't have access to shower yet, spray this on your pits and your B.O. will be gone in a few minutes.
• Magnesium spray – Neutralizes odor-causing acids. Magnesium is actually often an active ingredient in many natural deodorants and some people find that they can even use it on its own for odor control. But proceed with caution: sometimes Magnesium can sting a little when applied. It should not cause any redness, but the sting might be there, especially if you have just shaved.
• Probiotic body spray – Supports a healthy skin microbiome to prevent odor. We love this one by Siani Probiotic Body Care (good for men too!). Probiotic topical sprays work to control body odor by promoting a balanced microbiome on the skin. Beneficial bacteria consume sweat and other organic materials without producing the odorous byproducts associated with body odor.

To use regularly, spritz on your arm pits before applying your natural deodorant. Allow to dry or rub in, and then apply the deodorant. Some like to use this every time they apply deodorant, while others use it sporadically. Your body will tell you what you need.

Detox From Within

If you are still struggling with strong body odor, you can also address it internally:

• Chlorophyll supplements – Act as an “internal deodorant”.
• Oral Probiotics – Promote a healthy gut-skin connection. When shopping for a probiotic supplement, look for one with multiple strains. For body odor, opt for a combination of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains like this one by Trace or this one by Cymbiotika. 10 Billion CFUs is usually enough for general health, but a 50 Billion + one might be more effective as long as it has the correct strain to target your ailment. You will also want a probiotic that will survive your stomach acid, so look for ones that say "acid-resistant" or encapsulated probiotics.
• Magnesium and zinc – Support overall detox pathways
• Diet - Your diet could be contributing to your body odor. What you eat affects the composition of your sweat, your skin microbiome and your gut microbiome. Perhaps taking a look at your regular foods can provide insight on what might be contributing to body odor.
• Check Your Hormones - Many postpartum women experience periods of strong body odor for some time after giving birth. Hormones can change how much you sweat and what's in your sweat. The tips previously shared can all help, but sometimes this is just a temporary inconvenience. Once your hormones return to normal levels, this issue resolves itself. If you are not postpartum, but dealing with other hormonal imbalances, work with your doctor to bring your hormones to their optimal levels.

Clean Products That Work

Switching to natural deodorant is absolutely doable—and you don’t have to put up with B.O. along the way. By resetting your skin’s microbiome, choosing the right formula, and pairing it with smart boosters, you can stay fresh all day—without aluminum, synthetic fragrance, or other unwanted ingredients.

By now, you should have realized that at Ivy & Fields it's not enough that products simply be "clean." They must also work! That's why we focus so much of our efforts diving into efficacy, testing products, and putting together helpful articles like this to make your switch to clean living a pleasure!

Please check out our shop and if you've tried this, let us know in the comments!