Concerns about deodorants and their links to breast cancer are often what bring people into the sphere of using natural and organic products in the first place. As we beaut.ie gals know, once they're there, they have a massive range of gorgeous goodies to choose from. Weleda, Dr. Hauschka, Ren, Balance Me, Lavera, Essential Care and Burts Bees - some of the nicest products you can buy are made based on ethical and sustainable principles and contain safe formulations.
Deodorants are no exception. My new favourite website, Love Lula stocks a range of organic and paraben free products made by Green People, Lavera and Weleda.
You've probably heard of these crystal deodorants you can get - they work based on the fact that they're made out of alunite, a naturally occurring mineral which is known to have deodorising properties. Green People do a version called DeoKrystal, and it promises not to block skin pores, which some regular deodorants do. But it's still effective against bad smells.
The one drawback people may find with this product is that it's not an anti-perspirant - it won't affect the natural process of sweating, it will just help with the odour factor. I don't actually have a problem with that, having never been convinced by anti-perspirants anyway - no matter what I use, if I get warm enough, I sweat. But on the plus side, it won't wreck your clothes with white marks - I call that a pretty big bonus. It comes in a solid crystal that should last you a year with careful use, and costs €11.15.
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You can also buy more traditional products - Love Lula sell a Green People Rosemary Roll On Deodorant which contains essential oil of rosemary, olive leaf extract and witch hazel. It's free from alcohol and other skin irritants such as parabens. Again, like the DeoKrystal it's not an antiperspirant, it deals with the problem of odour. It costs €9.64.
If you prefer to use a spray, then you're well served. You can buy Lavera Organic Rose & Witch Hazel Spray Deodorant for €10.33, and several Weleda products are also available. The Weleda Citrus Deodorant sounds good. It's €8.47 and comes as a pump action spray. The formulation is a "simple yet thoroughly effective" with "odour eating essential oils incorporated into a cooling base".
All these products are also suitable for vegans as well as being created using organic ingredients and methods. There are no chemicals or aluminium salts used, and nothing that might clog pores and stain clothing. In fact, it's hard to see why we're all still clinging to our Soft & Gentle, isn't it?
