A healthy lifestyle, clean foods, nontoxic personal care products. These are all high on our list of must haves. Soaking wet pits are not. How to not sweat when making the switch to natural deodorants?

You use organic cosmetics, nontoxic shampoo, natural body lotion. Have yet to make the change to natural deodorant? This is a trouble spot for many.

Personal preference definitely comes into play when choosing deodorant. But there is one thing all of us can agree on. A deodorant must work. In other words, it has to keep you odor-free and as dry as possible.

Yes, natural deodorant is known for allowing swamp pit to happen. Old school natch deods contain no perspiration prohibiting ingredients and allow the body to sweat naturally. This type of deodorant works to control odor that occurs when sweat sits on skin and forms bacteria. And many do a good job of keeping stink at bay.

The selling point of natural deodorants, other than the obvious avoidance of chemical exposure, used to be the sweat factor. That your body is supposed to sweat to eliminate toxins is a fact. But sweat stains are socially unacceptable, not to mention uncomfortable and gross, so this argument fell flat with most consumers.

Here’s the deal: It no longer has to be this way. You can use chemical-free deodorant without making several shirt changes a day. Natural deodorants without perspiration control are so 2000-yuck. Let’s hop into the now and use nontoxic armpit protection that keeps you fresh as a daisy and provides some dampness defense.

Of course, the natural ingredients used to ward off sweat are not as effective as chemical antiperspirants. Aluminum Zirconium Trichlorohydrex, the ingredient used in conventional deodorant/antiperspirants to stop sweat, blocks pores and prevents perspiration from coming to the surface of the skin. The ingredient may be good at its job, but what about the health issues?

Aluminum Zirconium Trichlorohydrex is a known skin irritant and has potential to cause DNA damage in humans. Studies have also linked the ingredient to Alzheimer’s disease, citing that aluminum may cause the formation of plaques in the human brain contributing to dementia. And the list of harmful effects on the human body due to aluminum goes on.

Aluminum isn’t the only toxin rolling around in mainstream antiperspirants. Petro-chems, parabens, propylene glycol, and synthetic fragrance are the usual nasty suspects found in most of these products.

Disheartened? Hang on. There are several high quality nontoxic deodorants to choose from and measures you can take to make them most effective.

How to Not Sweat: 5 Tips to Staying Dry With Natural Deodorant (Plus Product Picks!)

1 Stay the Course // Not gonna lie, things get worse before they get better once the switch has been made. It’s common to experience some extra wetness when first using an aluminum-free product. Right before a public speaking event or first date are not ideal occasions to try natural for the first time. Have faith. As your body acclimates to your new products, things will get drier.

2 Stock Up // Yes, I said products. Plural. One of the best ways to make sure your deodorant stays effective, rotate amongst a few. Having three or four options in your dry pit arsenal, and alternating them out each week or two, seems to be key in staving off odor and wetness. I am not sure of the science behind this method, but it works.

3 A Chill Diet // Foods hot in temperature obviously warm you up and cause perspiration. Onions, garlic, coffee, and alcohol are also foods said to get sweat stirred up. Go easy on these when you want to stay dry.

4 Dress for Success // Wear light breathable fabrics and clothes that aren’t too tight to prevent underarms from getting damp. Layering also helps to ward off heat waves and sopped pits.

5 Powder Room // A puff of powder helps to absorb wetness and freshen up underarms. Burt’s Bees Dusting Powder is a talc-free option.

Ok, so which products are best? All of the following natural deodorants are free from harmful ingredients. They also contain sweat absorbing ingredients, like cornstarch, bamboo fibers, baking soda, or arrowroot powder.

Soapwalla Deodorant Cream

Schmidt’s Natural Deodorant

Bubble & Bee Organic Pit Putty Cream

Blissoma Scentless Stick

Related on EcoSalon

PurelyGreat Natural Deodorant for Men, Women and Teens

DIY: Go Eco (and Healthy) with Your Deodorant

Old Spice Fresher Collection Not a Walk in the Park

Image of woman with sweat mark via Shutterstock

The post How to Not Sweat (or Stink) With Natural Deodorant appeared first on EcoSalon.

Welcome to the fifth installment of our seven-part Eco Salon Eco-Beauty Approved Guide: Personal Care & Hygiene Products. Coming up next is:

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We’ve worked really hard to gather this list from professionals in the field, including Kristen Arnett, Paige Padgett, Jessa Blades, Greta Eagan, Sophie Uliano, Todra Payne, Renee Loux, Starre Vartan and others, along with our very own editors and writers. We’ve looked at ingredients, brand missions and philosophies, considered skin and hair types, all types of concerns and tested several products in each line. We’ve broken it down by category, with multiple options in each, so get ready for lots of options.

We’ve also considered price and tried very hard to include a broad range from luxury to affordable for just about any budget. Even though we’ve listed just one or two product recommendations per brand, it’s hard to go wrong with these companies, so experiment until you find your new must have products! Without further ado, please read on for the 2013 EcoSalon Approved Eco-Beauty Guide!

1. Blossom Organics 

Founder Melissa Jochim’s mission is to create naturally pure, effective and healthy alternatives in all personal care categories. In pursuit of healthy well being, beautiful intimacy and blissful pleasure, Blossom Organics creates safe, naturally pure intimate care products.

Product Picks:

Natural Moisturizer Lubricant (made to mimic a woman’s chemistry)

Pure Pleasure Arousal Gel  (nothing kinky, just a little added warmth and blood flow)

2. Erbaviva

Erbaviva was created to offer mommies-to-be and babies upscale products completely free from all harsh detergents, chemical fragrances, and other unhealthy additives. Today they offer a wide range of products for the entire family with bath, body and true aromatherapy.

Product Pick:

Deodorant (for everyone, an alcohol based spray when you prefer something light)

3. Preserve 

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Those are the principles that have driven Preserve since 1996 and that motivate them to encourage more households to choose our 100% recycled and recyclable products over conventional products.

Product Picks:

Toothbrush (for everyone, it’s recycled and recyclable)

Triple Razor (for everyone, it’s recycled and recyclable)

4. Quantum Health

Natural, over the counter products to help your body function more effectively – supporting bodily systems safely and naturally.

Product Pick:

Buzz Away (DEET free and it actually works, though reapply every few hours)

5. Seventh Generation

The nation’s leading brand of household and personal care products that help protect human health and the environment. Providing healthy solutions for the air, surfaces, fabrics, pets and people within your home–and for the community and environment outside of it, they want their products to make a difference—from their development through to their production, purchase, use, and disposal.

Product Picks:

Organic Cotton No Applicator Tampons (available in a variety of absorbencies, the shape is better than most)

Chlorine Free Panty Liners (for light days and added protection)

6. Sir Richard’s Condoms

They believe the power of business can help bring health and pleasure to the global community.  Their mission is to bring pleasure and health to the global community while stimulating social discourse and evolving attitudes towards contraception. For every vegan, toxin free Sir Richard’s condom you purchase, you contribute one to a developing country.

Product Pick:

Pleasure Dots

7. Soapwalla 

Soapwalla founder, Rachel Winard pulls knowledge from her study of Ayurvedic medicine, botanicals, aromatherapy and whole-body nutrition. Every product is made by hand in small batches to ensure quality, freshness and the utmost attention to detail.

Product Pick:

Deodorant Cream (for everyone, it actually keeps stink at bay and helps with wetness)

8. Vitacare 

VITACARE is a natural oral care system of vitamin-infused whitening toothpaste, alcohol-free mouthwash, whitening chewing gum and eco-friendly toothbrushes.  VITACARE’s products are infused with a powerful Vita-Boost Complex, which delivers a potent blend of essential vitamins A, C, D, E and Calcium to work in synergy to support overall gum, tooth and mouth health.

Product Pick:

Mint + Acai Toothpaste (for everyone, it’s cleansing, whitening and refreshing without being overpowering)

Read Eco Salon’s 2013 Eco Beauty Approved Guide Part 1: 19 Bath & Body Products here.

Part 2: 41 Facial Care Products.

Part 3: 11 Hair Care Products.

Part 4: 17 Makeup & Color Products.

Looking to try healthy beauty products before you buy?  Goodebox delivers 6-7 personalized samples per month to take the guess work out of cleaning up your beauty routine. Try Goodebox today.

The post EcoSalon’s 2013 Eco-Beauty Approved Guide Part 5: 8 Personal Care & Hygiene Products appeared first on EcoSalon.