Primally Pure Deodorant Review – the first natural deo that worked for me

I’ve been on the clean skincare and makeup train for a while but deodorant is one of those things that took me a while to switch to safer. Why? BECAUSE I SWEAT. You know how some people just don’t sweat much? That is NOT me. When I was in high school and I was a cheerleader, I was so embarrassed by my sweat that I made my mom take me to the doctor to get a prescription anti-perspirant. Yep.

I always finish a run or a peloton ride with soaked hair and clothes. I’m not a person who can skip washing my hair. And don’t even get me started on my CrossFit days. I would drop wall balls because I was so sweaty. I’m just a heavy sweater and that’s fine.

My heavy sweat levels prevented me from switching to a safer deodorant option for a LONG time. I just wasn’t willing to walk around smelling terribly with wet underarms. But I finally made the switch and it didn’t stink as much as I thought it would. (After I found the right deodorant anyway!)

So, let’s dive into a review of one of my favorite natural deodorants and how it differs from anti-perspirants. Before we do, I have to note one important thing. When you’re using natural deodorants, it’s normal to have to switch deodorants every 9-12 months. This is because our body chemistry changes over time, so often times a deodorant will stop working as well it it. Because of this, I rotate among Primally Pure Deodorant, Agent Nateur Deodorant, and Beautycounter Clean Deo . This post contains my review of Primally Pure!

Primally Pure Deodorant – the first natural deo that worked for me

What is the difference between deodorant vs anti-perspirant?

First, let’s talk about the difference between a deodorant and an antiperspirant. Many people complain about sweating when they try a natural deodorant after using an anti-perspirant their whole life. But that’s how it SHOULD be. Remember, the body’s natural process is to sweat! You should sweat!

Deodorant masks or neutralizes body odor. Antiperspirant, on the other hand, blocks your sweat glands to reduce sweating. Hence… anti – perspirant. Let’s talk about how those work and what ingredients to avoid — and why. You can read more about drugstore deodorants and antiperspirants if you’d like.

Ingredients to avoid in conventional antiperspirants

Aluminum

Aluminum is the VAST MAJORITY of drugstore anti-perspirants. Why? Because it blocks your pores to prevent sweat and it keeps you dry, BUT there have been studies that show it’s connection to diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Side note: Heavy metals in general are a big issue, particularly in makeup, since federal regulations don’t require testing for heavy metal contamination. Mercury and lead are commonly found in makeup… even the “fancy” brands. Avoiding mercury and lead exposure is another reason I use Beautycounter makeup.

Parabens

These ingredients act as stabilizers and preservatives to make your products last for months or years. But, parabens have been linked to breast cancer and endocrine disruption.

Fragrance

This is a HOT button for me. Here’s the thing about “fragrance” – it’s not necessarily a nice scent added to your skincare products. “Fragrance” is considered a trade secret so companies can put WHATEVER THEY WANT in their products and they don’t have to disclose what’s in it. (That’s why “fragrance” is on Beautycounter’s Never List.)

Over 3,000 ingredients can be used to create a fragrance, and you don’t know the identity of any of them. Ingredients that are known carcinogens and hormone disruptors can be hidden under the term “fragrance.”

When you’re reading any labels, if you ever see the words “fragrance”, “perfume”, “parfume”, or “scent”, ditch it since you don’t know what ingredients might be hiding in it.

Phthalates

Phthalates are ingredients that help products become more pliable and help fragrances to stick to your skin and last longer. If you can still smell your body lotion, shampoo, hair spray, etc. at the end of the day, that product likely contains phthalates.

Why should you avoid it? Studies show that phthalates have estrogen-like properties and they act as hormone disruptors. Hormone imbalances can lead to a number of health issues, e.g. thyroid problems, infertility, acne, birth defects, fatigue, and weight gain.

Do antiperspirants cause cancer?

Many people switch from an anti-perspirant to a natural deodorant because of breast cancer concerns. However, if you asked an oncologist, they may tell you there isn’t enough data to conclusively show that anti-perspirants cause breast cancer. You can find articles online that support both sides. For example, cancer.gov says that some scientists suggest that aluminum does contribute to the development of breast cancer. But the same article also states that at 2013 review concluded that no studies have confirmed the link. The EWG, however, states that a more recent study from 2017 does show that women who used antiperspirants were at “a higher risk for breast cancer and had higher aluminum concentrations in their breast.”

So, what do you do? Like all things that have two sides (like nearly everything in live), you have to evaluate and make the decision for yourself. If it makes you feel more comfortable to use an aluminum-free option or you simply prefer the natural option, then of course, go for it. Just don’t skip taking care of yourself in other ways or skip the treatment your doctor prescribes, if you do find yourself in that scary situation.

I personally feel more comfortable using a natural deodorant without aluminum for more peace of mind, and actually find I don’t smell as much as I did with an antiperspirant, ironically.

What is the healthiest deodorant to use?

Okay, so now that you know what to look for, make sure you read labels when shopping for natural deodorants (or any “natural” beauty or personal care product really). Even if a brand is labeled “natural” or “organic” or whatever, but they still have those four ingredients on their label, think twice.

I’m especially wary of fragrance since the lack of transparency really bothers me. So, after learning all of that about conventional anti-perspirants, I made a real effort to switch to a safer deodorant option. But. as I mentioned, I SWEAT. So the idea of switching deodorant was nerve wracking — what if I stunk? Well, I did for a bit.

The natural deodorant brands that failed me

I tried a lot of brands — Schmidt’s, Toms, Native, DoTerra, Pure Haven — to name a few. Three of them made me smell worse. I’ve never had that nasty B.O. smell in my life. Sweat, yes. Super stink, no. Then, I started using natural deodorant and holy crap, I smelled awful. And two brands, while they didn’t necessarily make me me reek, felt awful on my skin. One felt like I was rubbing oatmeal under my arms. Another left me feeling sticky all day.

But, there is one natural deodorant that DID work without irritating my skin or leaving a sticky residue: Primally Pure. And I haven’t heard of anyone who has had issues with Primally Pure, if they knew what to expect, i.e. a little sweat.

Now, keep in mind, everyone’s body is different and I know plenty of people who like these other brands. But for me, they were a DISASTER. Plus, not all of them are free from ingredients I personally avoid, including aluminum and fragrance.

Primally Pure Deodorant Review

While stinking up a storm trying other brands, I saw a few of my friends rave about Primally Pure. The brand was started by Bethany McDaniel, who launched the brand after her family started an organic livestock brand.

I decided to try it the deodorant since I already liked some of their other products. GAME CHANGER. Yes, I still sweat since it’s not an anti-perspirant, but I don’t sweat much. And I do not smell.

Plus, I actually like the Primally Pure deodorant scents. I always hated the icky fake smell of the conventional anti-perspirants I used, but Primally Pure deodorant smells clean and fresh. First, I started with the Lemongrass Deodorant and then I switched to the Charcoal deo since I was jealous of Tommy’s deodorant (more on that below).

There are 8 different scents to choose from, and each scent also provides different benefits for your skin. They are all non-irritating and contains a blend of coconut oil, beeswax, baking soda, arrowroot powder, and kaolin clay. They also contains non-nano zinc oxide which helps soothe irritation.

Primally Pure Deodorant scents:

• Lavender – contains nano zinc oxide which soothes irritation
• Lemongrass
• Charcoal 
• Unscented 
• Geranium 
• Vanilla + Citrus
• Tea Tree
• Blue Tansy

Primally Pure has an entire blog post about why their deodorants work, but in short, the ratio of ingredients they use is key to the efficacy. Theirs are formulated for sensitive skin, with a small amount of baking soda to prevent stink (even after a workout), and the essential oils they select work with your body to neutralize B.O. vs trying to mask something. They only use organic ingredients that are 100% natural and safe.

I started using Primally Pure in December 2018, right about when I started training for the 2019 Boston Marathon. My weekly mileage averaged anywhere from 45-70 miles and I used only Primally Pure deodorant during all of my training. And I never had B.O. issues. I even asked my husband, Tommy, to confirm after many runs.

I used the charcoal deodorant the day I ran the Boston Marathon and had no concerns raising my arms or hugging people post-race.

Best natural deodorant for men

While many women will more readily switch to a natural deodorant, most men hesitate or refuse. So, I bought the Primally Pure charcoal deodorant in attempt to get my husband to use it. Why charcoal? Because I thought he’d like the packaging more than the other scents. But, after I smelled the charcoal deodorant, I wanted one for myself. Plus, charcoal has detoxifying benefits that also help deodorize and disinfecting. It looks dark gray, but it goes on clear.

He has been using this deodorant for nearly 1.5 years and loves it. He’s completely ditched his Old Spice.

I use the Beautycounter charcoal bar to wash my pits in the shower (more charcoal to pull out impurities!) and then use the charcoal deodorant and I feel so clean. It’s a weird way to put it but that’s the best way I know how. I feel clean and fresh.

Does Primally Pure Deodorant stain clothes?

It depends. The charcoal one did stain my husbands white golf shirts and some of my white tees after a few months, but I didn’t have staining issues with any of the other scents.

Where to Buy Primally Pure Deodorant

You can order Primally Pure deodorant directly from Primally Pure online. Use promo code TERILYN10 to save 10% on your entire order.

How Long Does Primally Pure Deodorant Last?

It’s recommended to only use 1-2 swipes when applying this deodorant, and while that may seem like very little, I promise just a little works. In theory, it should last 3-4 months.

Primally Pure Promo Code

You may need to try a few brands before you find one that works for you, but if you decide to try Primally Pure deodorant, use this link & promo code TERILYN10 to save 10% off your entire first order.

Other Primally Pure products I love that I’d suggest adding to your cart:

• dry shampoo – I hate dry shampoo but I actually don’t mind this one since it doesn’t leave my hair feeling stiff and dirtier.
• body butter – a must for dry skin. It’s one of my favorite non-toxic body lotions.
• Fancy Face Serum – this is so luxurious, hydrating and not greasy. It’s a great anti-aging serum.