Why we don't use aluminium
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The short version: most deodorants are really antiperspirants — they use aluminium salts to plug your sweat glands and stop you sweating. We took a different view. Our deodorant doesn't block anything. It neutralises odour and lets your body do what it's meant to, with every ingredient named on the label.
Reach for most deodorants and you're actually reaching for an antiperspirant. The two words get used as if they mean the same thing, but they do very different jobs — and the difference is aluminium.
So why is it in most deodorants?
Not because anyone's doing something sinister — it's mostly practical. But once you see the reasons, choosing not to use it makes a lot of sense.
Blocking the ducts gives an instant, obvious "dry" result — easy to sell, even if it's treating the wrong thing.
Aluminium salts are inexpensive and last for years, which suits mass production far better than a fresh balm.
Antiperspirants have been the default for decades, so most of us never stopped to ask what they're for.
"Clinical strength" and "24-hour protection" sell a promise. Sweating, though, isn't the problem to be solved.
None of that makes other brands villains. It's just how the category grew up. We made a different call — because fresh sweat is very nearly odourless. The smell only appears later, when the bacteria on your skin break it down. Block the sweat and you treat the symptom, never the cause.
The difference, on the label
What we use instead
- Zinc oxide & sodium bicarbonate gently neutralise the bacteria that cause odour — rather than plugging your pores.
- Arrowroot powder absorbs excess moisture so you feel dry and comfortable, without shutting your sweat glands off.
- Kokum butter, beeswax & pure essential oils — a nourishing balm base scented only by named oils, in three blends: Zest, Petal and Root. No hidden "parfum".
What it means for you
Switching to a natural deodorant can take a week or two as your skin settles away from a lifetime of pore-blocking antiperspirant — that's normal, and it passes. Because our balm contains sodium bicarbonate, a small number of people with very sensitive underarm skin find it a little much, so we'd always suggest a quick patch test on your inner arm first. We'd rather tell you that than pretend it suits everyone. We've done the worrying, so you don't have to.
Frequently asked
Is aluminium in deodorant dangerous?
The research isn't settled either way, and we won't make a claim we can't stand behind. Our position is simpler: we'd rather not block a healthy bodily process, and we'd rather work with your skin than seal it shut.
Will I sweat more without an antiperspirant?
You'll sweat the normal amount your body intends to — an antiperspirant artificially reduces it. Our balm keeps you feeling dry and fresh by absorbing moisture and neutralising odour, not by blocking your glands.
How long does it take to adjust?
Usually a week or two. Starting with one light swipe a day on clean, dry skin makes the transition easier and gentler.