Sustainable Swaps

The Best Clean and Eco-Friendly Natural Deodorants

My Sustainable Swaps Series helps you change one thing to make a meaningful impact on your environmental footprint. A great place to start is reconsidering items you use every single day. Deodorant is a staple of modern hygiene, but its impact on people and planet stinks. These natural, eco-friendly deodorants actually work, and come in recyclable, reusable, or compostable packaging.

why you should switch to an eco-friendly deodorant

Traditional deodorants rely on aluminum to block up sweat glands and stop your sweat from reaching the surface of your skin. They often come with other ingredients like phthalates and parabens, and are packaged in single-use, non-recyclable plastic.

The deodorant industry produces 15 million pounds of plastic waste each year. While the scientific evidence linking aluminum and parabens to cancer or other health risks is debatable, my personal philosophy is to choose products that have smaller, natural ingredients lists. Since so much of our chemical exposure cannot be controlled, I try to limit my exposure wherever I can.

Fortunately, there are many alternatives to aluminum-based, plastic-packaged deodorant on the market today, and trying them is easy. I’ve tested quite a few: relaxing at home, dancing at weddings, and completing sweaty workouts. These are the best natural, eco-friendly deodorant options. Freshen up and green your routine with one of these!

Compostable deodorant tubes

These natural deodorants come packaged in compostable tubes, and they’re available on Amazon or at Target, so they’re easy to add to your next order!

Native: Coconut & Vanilla

This deodorant smells great and goes on sooo smoothly from the coconut oil it contains! This type does contain baking soda, but it doesn’t bother me. Some other brands with baking soda formulations have irritated my skin, but for whatever reason, this one does not!

Native Plastic-Free Deodorant holds up to hot runs, daily life, and any other time you sweat. The tube is made from paperboard sourced from responsibly managed forests. Plus it’s free from Parabens, Sulfates, Phthalates, and Aluminum.

Raw Sugar: Vanilla bean + Charcoal

Another good option? Raw Sugar Vanilla Bean + Charcoal. This deodorant smells yummy and comes in a combination of a biodegradable paper tube with recycled plastic parts. It used to be available in 100% biodegradable packaging; if you see it, get it ! It’s also free of aluminum, baking soda, talc, parabens, and propylene glycol.

It can take some time to adjust to a new deodorant, so don’t be discouraged! It can take up to two weeks to transition, but most people adjust and are able to use a natural deodorant immediately, with no need for any special detoxing.

refillable deodorant

Meow Meow Tweet

Quirky name, excellent deodorant. I like the Baking Soda-Free Grapefruit scent. Its light scent is gender neutral, it applies easily, and keeps you smelling fresh. It comes in a small glass jar, so just use a clean finger to scoop out a pea-sized amount for each underarm. It will warm up and melt into your skin.

With Meow Meow Tweet’s bulk refill program, you can purchase a large glass jar of deodorant and use it to refill the small glass jar that you’ll keep your daily product in. When the large jar is empty, send it back for free to Meow Meow Tweet. They’ll sanitize and reuse it as part of their closed loop, 100% waste free bulk refill program. When your small jar is empty, just clean it out with hot water and mild dish soap, to remove any old product before you refill it with fresh product. Super easy and sustainable.

Meow Meow Tweet products can be ordered online with a subscription service so you receive new deodorant every few months and never run out. Their product ships in small boxes filled with corn starch packing peanuts–just run them under hot water and watch them melt away! Meow Meow Tweet has an entire range of sustainable and bulk product options that I’d love to try!

I also love how it’s vegan, made with organic ingredients, and they give back to diverse organizations promoting Earth & Nature, Social Justice, and Animal Justice. Learn more about their values here.

Making the Switch to eco-friendly deodorant

It can take up to two weeks to adjust to the new deodorant, because that’s how long it can take for your body to purge the aluminum and other chemicals from your last deodorant. I’ve typically noticed a few days of transition, but was able to adjust very quickly to the deodorants on this list. If you have a big event coming up, try to switch more than two weeks in advance, or wait until afterwards to see how your body responds.

Whether you’re trying a natural deodorant for the first time, or switching to one with more sustainable packaging, congrats! You can feel good about making a Sustainable Swap that’s better for people and planet.

What’s your favorite natural deodorant? Drop me a line in the comments below.

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a small commission if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This income goes to supporting this website. As always, ideas and opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own.

Skincare, Sustainable Swaps
May, 05, 2023

Choose a Menstrual Cup for a Better Period

Switching to a menstrual cup is probably the best Sustainable Swap I’ve made to date. In addition to being eco-friendly, it makes my period easier. Reusable menstrual cups and discs offer a more sustainable, more hygienic, more affordable, more convenient, and more comfortable alternative to the costly chemicals and single-use plastics of traditional menstrual products. Simply put: my menstrual cup is a win-win for me and the planet. What’s more sustainable than that? Let’s dive in.

Menstrual Cups for a cleaner period, period.

Reasons You’ll Love Menstrual Cups (Besides Sustainability!)

Wearing a menstrual cup is almost like not even having a period. They don’t need to be changed as frequently as pads or tampons. Menstrual cups collect your flow and hold it away from your body, so there’s no risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome*, and you won’t get dried out. You can even wear it overnight without worry.

Wearing a menstrual cup is almost like not even having a period.

Between changing the cup once in the morning and at night, you can swim, do yoga, or take a long plane ride without the need to change it or check for leaks. The cup won’t absorb liquid from a pool, ocean, or lake like tampon strings do (gross). They’re comfortable and you can’t even feel them, unlike pads or tampons! So you can live your life without worrying about your period. Menstrual cups are simply awesome; I’ll never go back to tampons!

*Follow all product safety guidelines listed on the packaging!

My Favorite Menstrual Cup Brands

Unsurprisingly, one size/type/brand may not fit all, and you may need to try a cup or two to find your favorite one. I recommend starting with Saalt. They come in various combinations of size, softness, and lots of colors! Saalt has a quiz to help you pick the best one for you. Their cup wash is good for cleaning your cup between uses, but make sure to boil your cup between cycles.

Organicup also has good options. Their cup wipes are handy for on-the-go; just wash your hands well, too.

you deserve a chemical-free period

Chemicals in Your Tampons

The nonprofit Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE) funded research analyzing chemicals in tampons. Test results included known reproductive toxins like toluene, xylene, and methylene chloride. WVE cites previous studies that have found “pesticide residue, parabens, and phthalates linked to hormone disruption, antibacterial chemicals like triclosan, and various carcinogens including styrene and chloroform.” Yuck!

It’s Not on the Label

But there is little FDA regulation of tampons, and they don’t require a full ingredients label. More transparency is needed as to what the tampons are made of, what chemicals they contain, and the risks they pose. Menstrual cups are made from medical grade silicone, a known, safe compound, so you can bypass the ingredients and label concerns of tampons by switching to a cup!

Prefer Tampons and Pads? Try These Brands.

Still prefer pads and tampons? Look for a brand that is transparent about their ingredients, uses 100% cotton in the tampon, and biodegradable materials, such as Oi Organic Initiative. Other options would be Rael or Cora.

Quick tip: keep some sustainable pads, tampons, and liners on hand as backup options.

YOUR PERIOD has a FOOTPRINT

How do period products affect the environment? A Global Citizen article states that a menstruating person uses “between 5,000 and 15,000 pads and tampons and is expected to throw away roughly 400 pounds of period product packaging.” That’s a lot of trash. The article continues that, “in the US, around 12 billion pads and 7 billion tampons are thrown out every year….Tampons, pads, and panty liners, their packaging, and wrapping generate more than 200,000 metric tons of waste annually.” This material doesn’t decompose quickly– it takes 500 to 800 years for plastic and non-compostable materials. These numbers are staggering, and hard to fathom.

In the US, period products and their packaging generate 200,000 metric tons of waste annually. Plastic and non-compostable materials can take 500-800 years to decompose.

Alternatively, one Saalt menstrual cup can be used for up to 10 years.

go with the flow

If their comfort, convenience, safety, hygiene, and sustainability haven’t convinced you to try menstrual cups yet, JUST DO IT. If you’re nervous, that’s ok. You were probably nervous about using a tampon for the first time, too. If you prefer pads to tampons, try period underwear, which is washable. My next adventure will be trying a menstrual disc from Saalt.

Good luck in whatever you choose; it may take some time to go with the new “flow.” 😉 For more easy, eco-friendly tips, check out my Sustainable Swaps series.

Happy swapping!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links on this page are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I would never recommend anything I don’t personally use, and the income helps me run my site!

Sustainable Swaps
Dec, 16, 2022

Choose a Safety Razor for a Sustainable Shave

Switching from a traditional razor to a double-edged safety razor is not only sustainable, it’s surprisingly easy. As part of my Sustainable Swaps Series, this post will help you make the Sustainable Swap to a safety razor , changing just one thing to make a big impact on your personal waste footprint. Still not ready to switch to try a safety razor? Read on for a new middle ground razor I’m testing, and for free ways to recycle your single-use razors!

Check out my Sustainable Swaps Series for more easy, Sustainable Swaps!

*UPDATED MARCH 2024 for how to recycle disposable razors and blades.*

but first, recycle your disposable razors and blades–for free!

Whether you switch to a more reusable razor or not, you can make a big impact simply by recycling your disposable razors and blades–for free. If you follow me on Instagram, you probably already know that I love Terracycle. Terracycle takes hard-to-recycle items and breaks them down so that they can be recycled or repurposed. And they have many free programs that make it really easy to participate! The Gillette Recycling Program is a free recycling program through Terracycle that accepts all brands of blades, razors, and plastic packaging. To use this free program, simply create an account with Terracycle, join the program, and start collecting your blades, razors and plastic packaging in an old shipping box. Once full, print your free label and mail it in. That’s it!

WHY YOU SHOULD TRY A SAFETY RAZOR

Summer is here, meaning warmer temps, shorter shorts, and more shaving. Chances are, your current razor is partly or completely disposable. While disposable razors are convenient, the waste they generate really adds up.

An EPA estimate from 1990 stated that the US produced 2 billion throwaway razors and blades annually. This figure has likely grown, since the US razor market hit $2.7 billion in 2021.

If you shave regularly, safety razors present a great opportunity to make a small tweak in your routine for a big impact on your waste.

how to use a safety razor

I started using a double edge safety razor about 5 years ago, and have never looked back. The handle is reusable–you just replace the blade as needed– and the blades themselves are recyclable! They’re also cost-effective: a double-edge safety razor will cost you about $20 on Amazon, and last for years. Mine lasted about 5 years until it fell from the bathroom shelf and snapped. A pack of refill blades will cost about $10 for 50 blades, or 20 cents each.

The safety razor might seem intimidating at first, but just go slowly until you get comfortable, and you will quickly love this razor!

safety razor shaving Tips

Starting with a new razor will feel a bit like it’s your first time shaving again, but with practice, you will get the hang of it in no time.

To make the process as smooth as possible, follow the acronym, LEGS:

Lather and Exfoliate: exfoliate to remove dead skin cells, then lather up with your favorite cream or soap.
Go gently and slowly. The weight of the razor alone is often enough pressure.
Start simply: avoid challenging areas like your ankles or knees until you’ve gotten the hang of using the razor.

With practice, you’ll soon become a pro– just like you did with a disposable razor.

safety razors and blades

There are many options for safety razors on the market. Here are some suggestions.

Recently I stumbled onto the Leaf razor , and I’m excited to try it! If you want to try a reusable razor but want a more traditional, multi-blade style, this might be for you! It comes in lots of appealing colors, and the many rave reviews make it well worth a try.

My current razor is this Vikings Blade razor. Also on Amazon, I like how this Bambaw razor comes with its own stand, and it comes in lots of colors, too.

I use Shark razor blades, but you may like to tray this sampler pack of blades to find your favorite!

To lather and moisturize before shaving, you can use your favorite soap, or a cream like this one from Eos. They have a partnership with Terracycle; you can send in the product for free recycling!

Traveling with a safety razor

When traveling with a safety razor, be advised that TSA will not allow the blades in a carryon bag, but they are allowed in checked luggage.

recycling your blades

When you’ve used a blade, it can be recyled (yay!) but not in your curbside bin. If your city doesn’t offer stainless steel recycling services, search for a manufacturer in your area that works with scrap metal; chances are they can take the blades and process them, along with any other scrap metal you may have around the house.

As you’re collecting used blades to be recycled, store them in a safe, secure location so that children, pets, and other family members can’t be accidentally hurt by them. I keep mine in either old medicine bottles with locking lids, or in an old salt and pepper container, stored out of reach.

smooth sailing

If you’re trying a safety razor for the first time, congrats! You can feel good about making a Sustainable Swap that reduces waste.

Go slowly, and experiment: if you don’t like a certain blade, try another brand. Find what works for your hair type, thickness, and preferences.

Have you ever used a safety razor before? Do you have tips you’d like to add? A favorite brand? Drop me a line in the comments below.

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.. I would never recommend anything I wouldn’t personally use, and the income helps me run my site!

Lifestyle, Skincare, Sustainable Swaps
Mar, 15, 2019

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