As a Millennial with internet access and literally no need to ever leave the house again thanks to the work from home life, I decided to embark on a journey into the unknown, into the world… of natural deodorant.

This is my story.

Day -10 to -5

I started my natural deodorant journey like any good research scientist would - I took to Google to understand and evaluate all my options.

Instantly, I was overwhelmed. So. many. brands. So. many. obvious. marketing. gimmicks.

How’s a girl supposed to evaluate truth from fiction if every article written on the subject is somehow sponsored by someone who stands to make bank by promoting said subject? Something doesn’t smell right.

So I did the next best thing that any wannabe expert would pursue - I consulted a friend. No, not a dermatologist, or a doctor of any kind, or even a deodorant brand representative. Just a friend who also took the leap into the au naturale several months prior. This friend is now my resident deodorant expert, FYI.

Day 0

I am more than slightly apprehensive about the days before me.

I’ve heard to expect a “purge” and I am honestly wondering why this is a thing that I have decided to do. Aren’t things fine the way they are? Is aluminum in deodorant really that bad for you? (Note: to date everything I’ve been able to find from a semi-reputable source indicates that aluminum may or may not be bad for you, which only gives me more reason to question this path I’ve chosen…)

I think I’m making a mistake.

Day 1

Soooo I decided to go forward with the whole natural deodorant journey thing. (Yes, I realize this would be an incredibly short post if I decided otherwise.)

Immediate reaction: I might not hate this. I choose a Native brand deodorant stick and it’s pleasantly soft and smooth and not chunky or sticky and just generally very normal feeling.

I am still admittedly more than slightly terrified of what this whole experience will entail. At least I literally won’t see another human being for the next 10 hours….

Day 2

It’s humid as hell out today and I’ve decided to be brave and venture out into the world. To the damn beach of all places.

I’ve been (attempting to) nonchalantly sniff my underarms with a frequency that I’ve never had the desire to before. I’m afraid people are starting to notice. But I just - can’t - stop.

I am convinced that all of a sudden the aroma will change from that of a freshly baked pie (I bought the cinnamon vanilla scented Native deodorant) into something far less desirable (please do not make me describe the potential smell), but so far all has been well.

Day 3

I am optimistic. My underarms feel soft and as smooth as a baby’s freshly powdered bum.

Better yet, I did not experience a single odd BO-esque scent at all! Even in the hot humidity that is a New York summer, which is definitely saying something if you’re familiar with the soup-like conditions of a typical July.

Day 4

My pits still smell like pie and feel oddly soft and dry. Life is good.

I even did a full sweat-fest Peloton workout and had no questionable after-scents!

Day 5

It was 88 degrees and humid out and I’m still not hating this whole natural deodorant thing… here’s to another successful day!

Day 8

Wtf. Why did I decide to do this again?

I’ve literally been sitting at my desk all day (aka pretty much living the sedentary temperature-controlled life) and my pits are definitely moist in an unpleasant I’d really rather not be experiencing this level of wetness sort of way for no reason…

Day 10

I stuck with it! I’m not mad, but I’m not sure I’m happy either.

All I smell is pie. I’m used to deodorant scents that literally smell as close to fresh clean laundry as possible; distinctly getting a whiff of pie every time I raise my elbow even slightly is ridiculously unnerving.

Day 14

I had to go to a real party with real people in the real sun in a cute dress today - I caved and put on regular deodorant.

It’s one thing to smell like pie at home while it’s just the dogs and I chilling, but it’s another thing completely to have all these odd scents swirling around in the presence of actual human beings. No thank you.

Day 20

Okay, so I wouldn’t exactly call my natural deodorant experience a success. Interesting? Yes, that’s certainly a word for it.

I did not completely ditch the au naturale deodorant life, but I did make some tweaks that probably a lot of people will not agree with (but honestly I don’t really care!).

Tweak #1 - I ditched the cinnamon vanilla. The pie thing was too weird for me. Plus, I love clean laundry-like scents and I’ve literally always hated scented deodorant. (My new go-to is Native’s cotton scent.)

Tweak #2 - I am definitely not exclusively a natural deodorant user. It’s nice sometimes - for those light activity and minimal interaction days. Plus, I do really love the soft silky feel of this particular formula… Long term though, I’m still buying my usual brand of regular good old aluminum-filled deodorant, sorry not sorry.

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