JULY 2022 | 5 Minute Read
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With summers getting hotter each year and many parts of the world experiencing more frequent and severe heatwaves, you can pretty much guarantee that for most, summer is synonymous with sweat.
If you’re someone who naturally sweats a lot, like me, or happen to be in a heatwave-prone area, chances are you’re using antiperspirant or have used it in the past. However, with more people embracing natural and aluminum-free deodorants, the question remains: is there such a thing as natural antiperspirant? Can you block or prevent sweat naturally?
Antiperspirants works to block sweat ducts and prevent you from sweating (perspiration). This is achieved through the use of aluminum chloride which is the ingredient used in conventional antiperspirants to block sweat.
Aluminum chloride has been deemed a suspicious ingredient when it comes to health. While there is little scientific evidence that links aluminum chloride to breast cancer or Alzheimer’s disease, the long-term health effects from aluminum are essentially unknown. In my opinion, with an ingredient with so little in way of studies for topical application of aluminum, I would take precautionary measures given the suspicious nature of the ingredient and opt for natural deodorants instead.
Natural or “aluminum-free” deodorants do not use sweat-blocking ingredients and allow your body to perspire, as is naturally intended. They rely on ingredients that target odor-causing bacteria and offer some moisture protection with ingredients like arrowroot powder or corn starch.
Since natural deodorants do not use aluminum chloride and do not prevent sweat (perspiration), there is technically no such thing as a natural antiperspirant.
What should you do if you use natural deodorants but can’t stand being sweaty?
Although there are no natural antiperspirants or natural ways to block sweat, there are definitely ways to help manage and reduce the effects of sweating. It is important to prevent moisture from sitting on the surface of the skin as it can lead to rashes, irritation, chafing, odor from bacteria growth, and an overall uncomfortable and sticky feeling that no one wants.
As I’ve mentioned, natural deodorants target odor, so for those who need more help in the sweat-department but don’t want to use antiperspirants, I recommend a sweat-absorbing body powder that can be used over top of your deodorant and anywhere your body sweats such as underarms, bikini line and breast areas.
kaia naturals the sweat powder is a safe, natural and talc-free product made with a proprietary technology called Thessalite 6® which was inspired by athletic chalk used by elite athletes. It is designed to manage sweat by absorbing excess moisture on the surface of the skin and in skin folds, preventing moisture sitting on the skin and leading to rashes, irritation, and chafing allowing you to feel more comfortable throughout the day without blocking or preventing sweating.
It combines magnesium carbonate, zinc oxide and odor-fighting apple cider vinegar to create a moisture-absorbing barrier, while managing odor conveniently housed in a refillable brush applicator.
Clothing can have a big impact on how much you sweat throughout the day. There are two factors: the fabric and the cut. Choose loose-fitting and natural fibers such as cotton, linen and bamboo that allow breathability and do not trap heat and moisture against the skin. Skip polyester and synthetic fibers that cause excess sweat.
Believe it or not, certain foods in your diet such as caffeine and spicy foods can increase sweating. Your body sweats when it needs to cool things down and your body reacts to spicy food the same way it would if you were in a hot environment. Caffeine is a stimulant and can accelerate the central nervous system functions which leads to sweating.
Sweating is normal and healthy, but for many, it can be uncomfortable and difficult to manage. If you enjoyed this article and you’re interested in more sweat-related content, be sure to sign up at the link below.
All content found on this website is created for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website.
Clean beauty industry maven and product developer Madame Sweat (Mary Futher) founded kaia naturals after spending 20 years working for global beauty companies. She now shares advice on modern hygiene etiquette for grooming, hosting, home and travel on Instagram, TikTok and her popular blog called The House of Hygiene.
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