bookmark_borderDavids Natural Toothpaste Review – With A Pioneering, METAL Tube

Hey earth muffins! A few weeks ago my (last) plastic toothpaste tube was running low. Just like I have been doing with many of my items, once it ran out I was going to replace it with a more sustainable option. In terms of toothpaste, most of the sustainable options are to purchase toothpaste tablets. However, I was wandering around the dental aisle at Target and saw this product. Davids Natural Toothpaste comes in a metal tube that can be recycled (affiliate link)! ๐Ÿ˜ I was intrigued, as I’ve never seen toothpaste in metal before…. After trying out this product for a month now, I thought I would share my thoughts. Let’s get right into it!

A picture of a tube of Davids natural toothpaste

What I Love About Davids Natural Toothpaste

First off, I obviously love that Davids toothpaste is a sustainable product (affiliate link). I am proud to say that my dental routine is now fully low waste! ๐ŸŽ‰ I use an old electric toothbrush from many years ago (the heads are recyclable by the company), my floss is the amazing compostable floss from Dental Lace, and now my toothpaste can be recycled! The packaging of this toothpaste is a gorgeous cardboard box that can be recycled as well. I personally love how simple the design is on the cover, as it reminds me of a past decade.

I think the paste itself does a wonderful job of cleaning my teeth. It is a subtle grey color (as they don’t dye it to look a certain way). The paste is a tad thinner compared to brands like Crest; I personally love this consistency, as I find that whatever they put in other brands makes it clump up in my mouth as I brush. Davids toothpaste doesn’t do this, so it is easier to brush everything. The toothpaste foams up too and makes my teeth feel extra clean! ๐Ÿฆท

A picture of a box of Davids natural toothpaste

Another great things about this product is the subtle flavoring. I’ve mentioned this in other reviews, as I hate when something has an extremely overpowering scent/flavor. Davids toothpaste has a nice subtle flavor. I went with the Spearmint option, but you can also buy Peppermint, Charcoal, and Citrus.

Going alongside the flavoring, I love that this toothpaste isn’t full of sugar. I was surprised to find out that many toothpastes contain a lot of sugar, as it “helps the flavor taste better”. However, that seems kinda counterproductive… In my last Crest tube, I actually could taste too much sugar, which I really hated. So I love that this brand doesn’t have barely any!

What I’m Struggling With

While I think Davids natural toothpaste is an amazing option, there are other (possibly better) sustainable options (affiliate link). If you purchase toothpaste tabs, you won’t even have to recycle anything. The glass bottle they come in can just be reused around your house! Also, each tube of Davids toothpaste comes with a metal key to help you roll as you use the product. I definitely wish there was an option to opt out, as I would just reuse one key. Good thing the keys are recyclable as well!

Another downside to this product is that you have to clean the tube before you can recycle it. This makes sense, as I mentioned in a recent recycling post that you MUST clean everything before it can be recycled… However, I think this will deter people from actually recycling the tube. I’m sure many will toss it in uncleaned or just toss it in the trash because they are too lazy to take the time to clean it. I plan on writing a full post on how to clean the tube to provide helpful tips, so look forward to that in the future! ๐Ÿ˜Š

Lastly, like in many of my sustainable reviews, I do have to mention the price. For $10, it might seem ridiculous to buy this… But, many toothpaste tabs are even more expensive! You have to think about the fact that you are paying more to support a company that is trying to do its part. What are your thoughts – will you try Davids natural toothpaste (affiliate link)?

Davids natural toothpaste review pinterest pin
Pin now to read later!

Love,
Jenna โ™ฅ

โžก๏ธ Subscribe toย never miss a post!ย โฌ…๏ธ

Loading

bookmark_borderMy Pela Case Review – A Compostable Phone Case?!

Hey earth muffins! When I started my new job back in September, one of the perks of working for the company is that they take over your phone plan. Up until that point, I’d only had one smartphone; I got an iPhone 6 in high school and have had it ever since. Not only have I had the same phone, but I’d also been using the same phone case. Because the company I work for took over my plan, they forced me to upgrade to a new device. I took that opportunity to purchase a Pela phone case! I mentioned that this was on my sustainable products wishlist, and I couldn’t wait to give it a try! ๐Ÿ˜ Now that I’ve had a few months to try it out, here is my Pela case review for you all!

A picture of a green, Pela phone case

What I Love About My Pela Case

Obviously I love that this product is super sustainable. When I started my eco journey back in 2018, this company was one of the first eco-brands I discovered. They make products centered around 4 pillars: community, creativity, consciousness, and courage. Over a BILLION plastic phone cases are sold each year – just think about all of that plastic going to the landfill… The Pela case is plastic-free, compostable, and even certified climate neutral. Pretty awesome for a phone case company!

It is also great that there is still a nice variety of styles and colors. You can get cases with wallet pouches or engraved with designs like bees or sea turtles. Depending on the phone case size, you can also get some printed designs that use Greenguard ink. If you are into crafting, their lastest design in a “stitch case” where you can literally cross stitch your own pattern onto your phone case! ๐Ÿ˜ฎ While I thought they all looked awesome, I decided to go for the plain, classic green case.

A picture of the Pela stitch phone case

The phone case feels exactly like any other soft case made of silicone. The case I had been using for years was hard plastic and literally had chunks missing from different falls. ๐Ÿ˜ฌ I personally like the feeling of a soft case better, as it feels so smooth when you are holding your phone! Plus, I think the case does a great job of protecting my phone, which is what you are looking for in a good phone case.

I love that you can see the bits and pieces of Flaxstic in the case as well. Flaxstic is what the case is made of, and you can see brightly colored pieces in the case – so cool! Every time I look at the cute specks of color it reminds me that my phone case can be composted and is excellent for the environment! ๐ŸŒŽโค๏ธ Plus, it means your phone case is totally unique… Every single one will be different!

A close up photo of a pela phone case

What Could Be Improved On

For my only “negative”, I think it is important to mention that the price is much more expensive than the $8 Amazon case I had on my older phone all of those years. In total, I paid $41.23 for my case. I think this is comparable to many cases though; a lot of brands are in the range of $50-100 for a good case. As I mention in most of my reviews, you might be paying a tiny bit more. BUT, you are paying to support a company that truly cares about the environment! Sure, it isn’t the cheapest phone case on the planet, but at least it won’t have a huge impact on Mother Earth. ๐Ÿ˜Š Totally worth it in my opinion!

Pela phone case review pinterest pin

Love,
Jenna โ™ฅ

โžก๏ธ Subscribe toย never miss a post!ย โฌ…๏ธ

Loading

bookmark_borderYay for Earth Review: Sensitive Skin Face Lotion

Hey earth muffins! In my recent wishlist post, I mentioned the Yay for Earth lotion that I have been eyeing for quite some time now. After posting that, I realized that I should just treat myself – so I placed an order! ๐Ÿ˜ I have been using this face lotion twice a day for a few weeks nows; it is the perfect time to share my thoughts on the product. Without further ado, here is my Yay for Earth review!

A picture of the 2 oz glass jar of Yay for Earth sensitive skin face lotion

What I Love About Yay for Earth

First, this company is uber sustainable! I’ve been a long-time follower of the owner (Stevie) on Instagram, and she definitely makes sure the company does everything it should. The lotions are packaged in glass (or a metal travel tin), which is awesome! Not only that, but the rest of the packaging is also eco-friendly. The box is cardboard, the tape they use is paper, and the packing peanuts are water soluble. I found so much joy spraying the peanuts in my sink until they dissolved. ๐Ÿ˜…

A picture of water soluble packing peanuts mostly dissolved in a kitchen sink

I also love that the lotion is made of only 4 natural ingredients – that’s right, four!! Instead of finding names of things you can’t pronounce on the label, this lotion has organic olive oil, organic shea butter, local beeswax, and organic pomegranate seed oil.

More Things to Love…

The fact that the lotion is made of simple ingredients is awesome, but it is also very effective too! I apply this lotion after washing my face each morning and then after I get out of the shower each night. My skin isn’t usually that dry, but the colder weather (and the hard water in my apartment) does make it get drier. This lotion is AMAZING! My skin feels so moisturized and healthy after I apply it; when I wake up in the morning it feels so soft too.

A picture of the back of the glass jar of Yay for Earth sensitive skin face lotion

I’ve also noticed that this lotion helps with my acne and sensitive skin. The Yay for Earth website shows some great before and after pictures of those with troubled skin; but, I didn’t want to expect too much even though I’ve been dealing with a lot more acne this past year. Like I mentioned in a recent post, the Mario Badescu face cleanser (affiliate link) literally saved my skin… But I still get some hormonal breakouts at certain points in my cycle. I have already seen a difference in my skin since using this lotion! My breakouts are less often, smaller, and the redness from old acne scars is slowly fading away. I’m super excited to see how this product continues to help my skin!

I also love that this lotion has a subtle smell. To me, it has a faint hint of honey, which probably comes from the local beeswax. I am not a fan of strongly scented products, as many “fragrances” are just chemically based. I love that this lotion barely has any smell, as it stays true to its sustainable background.

What I Dislike about Yay for Earth

A picture of the color of Yay for Earth sensitive skin face lotion

After using this product for a few weeks, there is nothing that I dislike about it. ๐Ÿ˜ฌ The only thing I can really think of is that it isn’t a typical lotion consistency – which was expected. This doesn’t bother me at all, but it could bother some people. The product feels oily (as it is oiled based), and you need only a tiny bit. If you are accustomed to other moisturizers this might take some getting used to.

Lastly, I was going to quickly talk about price. I purchased the 2 oz jar for $28, but there are three other sizes to choose from as well. Because you only need a small amount each application, this product will last me a long time – so I definitely think it is worth the price! There are many other brands that sell similar products for less than this, but also many who sell for more. So, use your dollars wisely and vote for sustainability! ๐Ÿ˜Š I’d 100% recommend the Yay for Earth lotion!

Yay for Earth face lotion review pinterest post
Pin now to read later!

Love,
Jenna โ™ฅ

โžก๏ธ Subscribe toย never miss a post!ย โฌ…๏ธ

Loading

bookmark_borderReview: Photowall Space Canvas Print

Hey earth muffins! Today I will be reviewing a gifted item from Photowall for you all! ๐Ÿ˜Š When they reached out to me I was excited for two reasons: 1) our second bedroom/office has absolutely no decor on the walls and 2) the company actively strives to reduce their impact on the planet (will discuss more on that later!). After searching through their wallpaper, canvas, and poster selections, my boyfriend and I agreed on a delightful outer space canvas print. Here are my thoughts on Photowall!

A picture of a Photowall canvas outer space print hanging on the wall above a gray futon
This specific design can be found HERE!

What I Love About the Company

To start off, I’d like to applaud the company for its sustainability efforts. They make absolutely no inventory; when you order a product, they custom make it just for you. This is awesome because it prevents any waste from being created if no one purchases a certain item. The ink they use is biodegradable and any waste created in the production process is recycled by Hans Andersson Recycling AB. I also love that they work with a Swedish coop to plant thousands of trees each year!

There are also SO many designs to choose from! This is another huge bonus of them not holding any stock, as the consumer gets exactly the image you are looking for. You can search for anything from nature to city landscapes, and they will have it in wallpaper, poster, or as a canvas print. So awesome! ๐Ÿ˜ Because our second bedroom holds all of my boyfriend’s gaming/computer equipment, we wanted to go for a “man-cave” vibe. Space seemed pretty fitting for that; there were a lot of options to look through in this category too.

If for some reason you aren’t finding exactly what you are looking for, you can also customize an image they already have OR send in your own images! I was pretty tempted to get a huge photo of my boyfriend and I, but he didn’t seem that interested in the idea. ๐Ÿ˜‚

Lastly, you can size the photo into whatever fits your wall the best. Because we wanted ours to run almost the full length of the futon, we chose the biggest size (which totaled $132). When you are figuring out the perfect measurement, you can also move the image around so that it is cropped to your liking. I loved that you could make it your own; another plus of the company not holding pre-made inventory!

What I Love About Our Photowall Canvas Print

In terms of sustainable packaging, the company does a good job with this as well. The canvas requires assembly, so the box it is shipped in is quite small. The frame came wrapped in paper packing, the hardware in a recyclable bubble package, and the canvas came in brown paper. I will 100% be using this as wrapping paper during the holidays! โ™ป๏ธ

A picture of a Photowall canvas print packaging

While you might think having to assemble the canvas is a con, I actually really enjoyed it! I love a nice craft project; it made me feel like I was part of the production process. The instructions were simple and easy to follow.

A picture of instructions to build a Photowall canvas print

There were basically two steps: putting the wood panels on the canvas and then screwing the wood panels together. It only took about 20-30 minutes for our large canvas, so I bet smaller ones take less than 10 minutes! I also loved that the frame smells like raw wood; it adds to the feeling that you are supporting a company that actually cares about the planet.

Lastly, it was super easy to hang on the wall and looks amazing! A screw and hook is included, but we had to use Command strips for ours (because our walls are brick covered with drywall). I personally think it looks awesome in the second bedroom – super excited and grateful to have been gifted it! โค๏ธ

Overall, I would highly recommend checking out Photowall! To save money, feel free to use the discount code “lifeofanearthmuffin25” to get 25% off your purchase! ๐Ÿ˜ฎ I’d love to see what designs you all pick – DM me on Instagram with photos!

Review Photowall canvas print pinterest pin
Pin now to read later!

Love,
Jenna โ™ฅ

โžก๏ธ Subscribe toย never miss a post!ย โฌ…๏ธ

Loading

bookmark_borderReview: LUSH Honey I Washed My Hair Shampoo Bar

Hey earth muffins! Back in August I reviewed the JR Liggett Original shampoo bar when I ran out of my typical Lush Jumping Juniper bar. As you can probably tell from the review, I wasn’t too happy with the JR Liggett bar I tried… So when my local Lush allowed for pickup after quarantine I decided to try out another. Honey I Washed My Hair seemed like a classic Lush product with many good reviews, so I decided to give it a try myself! ๐Ÿ˜€ I have been using the bar for a while now, so let’s get right into my Lush shampoo bar review!

A photo of a Honey I Washed my Hair Lush shampoo bar

What I Love About “Honey I Washed My Hair”

The first thing I absolutely love about this product is the smell; it is heavenly!! I thought that a honey shampoo bar would have a subtle scent… But it transports me right to Willy Wonka’s factory. It makes my bathroom smell great, which I love. ๐Ÿ˜

Of course I love that this product is sustainable! Shampoo bars are a great way to reduce plastic usage and avoid those ugly bottles. I’ve also found that they last a longer time because the product itself isn’t watered down. Usually I bring my own bag into Lush to have absolutely no packaging; but, because of the pickup procedures during the pandemic, I ended up with a paper sleeve as well. No worries – I will be reusing it before throwing it out!

After using the Jumping Juniper bar for a couple years, I love that Honey I Washed My Hair doesn’t leave a mark in my shower. Because the Juniper bar is purple, the water drippage under my Ethique soap container created a purple puddle. This was actually pretty difficult to get off my shower, so I am quite happy that Honey I Washed My Hair doesn’t leave any colored residue behind!

As I’ve mentioned in all my shampoo bar reviews, my scalp gets pretty oily. That is why I tried out the Jumping Juniper bar first. Even though this bar isn’t specifically for scalp problems, I still found that it leaves my hair soft and clean! I haven’t had any issues with excess oil or scalp residue, which is a win-win for me.

Lastly, I’d like to point out that this shampoo bar has a hilarious name. Enough said.

A picture of a magnifying glass
A subtle nod to a great film!

What Could Be Improved with this Lush Shampoo Bar

After switching to this shampoo bar, I noticed that I have a tiny bit of dandruff. I’ve never had that before! I moved to a new apartment (with pretty intense water pressure) around the time I started trying out this bar, so I’m not sure if this is due to water or the bar itself…. ๐Ÿคทโ€โ™€๏ธ

I think it is important to mention in this Lush shampoo bar review that (of course) there are cheaper shampoo options on the market. From bottled shampoos to even some bars, it might be out of your budget to spend $12. BUT, these do last about 80-90 washes… So I think they are worth the price!

I’ve also noticed that the first ingredient of this bar is sodium laureth sulfate. This is one of the “Dirty Dozen” but seems to be used in about 30 of Lush’s products (including basically all of their shampoo bars). I haven’t noticed any negative effects from this; but, if you are trying to be 100% sulfate free then this product is not for you.

Overall, the Lush Honey I Washed My Hair shampoo bar has been working great for me! Now that the oils in my scalp seem to be managed, I might try to wash my hair every other night…. I’ve always wanted to do that, but my scalp refused the idea. ๐Ÿ˜‚ It will be a great way to save some water as well (even though my average shower time is about 5 minutes already). Have you been trying any new shampoo bars recently?

Honey I Washed My Hair shampoo bar review pinterest photo
Pin now to read later!

Love,
Jenna โ™ฅ

โžก๏ธ Subscribe toย never miss a post!ย โฌ…๏ธ

Loading

bookmark_borderReview: Dental Lace Refillable Floss

Hey earth muffins! When trying to reduce my waste in the bathroom, I found that replacing floss with something more sustainable was a difficult thing. I have genetically soft teeth, so flossing every day is essential to preventing any tooth decay. In a normal store, you will come across plastic floss and “flossers”; both single use and SO wasteful! As my collection of floss containers from dentist visits slowly dwindled, I made it my mission to find a better alternative. I came across the company Dental Lace and reached out to them to see if I could review their Dental Lace refillable floss… And they gladly sent me some! I have been trying out their floss every day for a few weeks now and wanted to share my thoughts on this sustainable alternative! ๐Ÿฆท

A picture of a glass container of Dental Lace refillable floss

What I Like About Dental Lace Floss

For starters, it does such a good job flossing! Many of the plastic flosses on the market are difficult to hold, slippery in the mouth, and just an overall bad experience. Dental Lace is nothing like that!! Because the floss is made of 100% mulberry silk, it doesn’t slip around in your fingers. This allows you to get all those tight spots for a healthy, clean mouth.

I was also concerned that because it is made from silk, it wouldn’t be strong enough for someone (like me!) who has small gaps between their teeth. But, I‘ve never had any trouble with the floss breaking or even fraying, so that doesn’t seem to be an issue at all! I am able to get a great clean even in the tightest gaps in the back of my mouth, which is a HUGE bonus for me and my soft teeth.

A picture of the silk Dental Lace refillable floss

In terms of “flavor” I was sent a Fresh Mint floss, but they also sell unflavored as well. I think the scent is the perfect amount, as they use peppermint essential oil. Some oral care products have way too much artificial “flavoring”, so I love that this is natural and not overpowering when you floss. It leaves the mouth feeling the perfect amount of clean without the perception that you ate a whole tin of peppermints. ๐Ÿ˜ฌ

What I Like About the Packaging

A picture of the packaging of Dental Lace refillable floss

Another great bonus for this floss is its packaging! The container is a small glass bottle with a stainless steel cap. When you order a set, you get the glass bottle and two sets of the silk floss. Each spool has about 33 yards of floss, so you get quite a bit… When you finish those two, you just have to order new spools of the silk floss and pop them in your glass bottle – so sustainable!! ๐Ÿ˜ I was concerned that the glass bottle would be too small and easily misplaced, but it is the perfect size to put in your medicine cabinet, bathroom drawer, or bathroom organizer.

The product packaging is also fully sustainable. The floss comes in compostable bags (even though they look plastic!), the cardboard box can be recycled, the glass container can be reused forever, and the floss is compostable too! โ˜บ๏ธ Nothing makes my heart happier than seeing a company that actually cares about leaving less waste on the planet.

The recycling and reusing instructions on Dental Lace floss package

Finally, as I’ve mentioned in previous travel posts, I grew up in New England. This company was founded in Maine, which is near and dear to my heart. So, I had to throw that in as a “pro” to Dental Lace. ๐Ÿ˜‡ While I now live in the Midwest, I still support some of my favorite local Maine shops by ordering online… And now I can add Dental Lace to this list! ๐ŸŽ‰

What Could Be Improved with Dental Lace Floss

Honestly, there isn’t much to say in this section because I’ve had such a great experience with this floss. ๐Ÿฅณ But, for me personally, the floss cannot be accepted in the composting service that I am signed up for. BUMMER! The service that I use is a vermicompost that uses the compost mix for community gardens around the city. I reached out to them about the floss, and they said to leave it out of the bin. Unfortunate and a “con” for now; but, when my boyfriend and I move out of this apartment, I will definitely compost the floss!

Lastly, I think it is important to mention the price for those new to sustainable alternatives. While an eco-friendly swap might seems more expensive at first, you need to think about the price long term and also the cost to the environment of using plastic floss/flossers. To get a starter pack from Dental Lace, it will cost you $9. For a set of two spool of refill floss, it will cost you $7. This might seem more expensive than a typical floss product, but I feel that it is very very reasonable! ๐Ÿฅฐ

Overall, y’all need to check out Dental Lace Floss! I am so happy that I have finally found a sustainable alternative to add into my bathroom routine. I am 100% a convert – I am so excited to continue using this floss! The company also just released refillable Toothpaste Tablets, so I definitely need to try that out as well (as finding toothpaste in sustainable packaging is another nightmare). What type of floss do you currently use?

Dental Lace Floss review pin
Pin now to read later!

Love,
Jenna โ™ฅ

โžก๏ธ Subscribe toย never miss a post!ย โฌ…๏ธ

Loading

bookmark_borderReview: JR Liggett Original Shampoo Bar

Hey earth muffins! If you have been following my blog for awhile, you will know that I switched from bottled to bar products. One of these first switches was my shampoo where I traded the bottle for a Lush shampoo bar. When quarantine first started I ran into a problem: my shampoo bar was almost gone and the Lush near me was closed…. And the website was behind on orders! YIKES ๐Ÿ˜ฌ As my family was already placing an Amazon order, I decided this would be the perfect time to try out a new shampoo bar from JR Liggett.

A picture of the JR Liggett's original shampoo bar

After doing some quick searching on Amazon, I came across JR Liggett. Not only are they highly reviewed but they also make their products in New England, which is where I grew up. I was already sold! This brand makes 6 different scents that have various oils in them. To keep it simple, I decided to try out their original formula shampoo bar. Here are my thoughts! ๐Ÿ˜Š

What I Liked

The bars are sulfate/detergent free and full of great oils! Switching to bar products is not only good for the environment, but it is also good for your body. I’m quite shocked by the nasty chemicals/additives that find their way into bath products; I love that this brand focuses on simple ingredients. They are also vegan! The original formula includes three types of oils: olive, coconut, and castor. Some of their other bars include more oils and various essential oils as well, which gives a nice variety for all hair types.

There is not an overwhelming scent. For some reason, many bar products can be heavily scented… Probably the essential oils! But, this shampoo bar has a nice fresh scent to it. I was worried that my hair wouldn’t smell nice after my shower since it was “original formula”, but that was not the case at all.

A picture of bars of soap and shampoo in various colors

The bars are an affordable price, a bit cheaper than Lush bars. On Amazon they are $10 each; if you buy them on their actual website, they are only $7.50. I don’t really think this couple of dollar difference truly matters because once you switch to bar products you will be saving money regardless. The bars last much longer than a typical bottle = less money spent for you! ๐Ÿ’ฐ

The bar doesn’t have any dyes in it. After using the Lush Jumping Juniper shampoo for awhile now, I have noticed that the purple color leaves a residue in the shower (and on my Ethique soap container) that is difficult to get off… I love that this bar is an off white color, as it doesn’t leave a mess behind! ๐Ÿ™Œ

What I Disliked about the JR Liggett Shampoo Bar

-The shampoo left residue in my hair. โ˜น๏ธ I’ve always had an oily scalp, but this shampoo bar left my head feeling almost sticky to the touch. While this could have been due to the low water pressure in my apartment or changing water after traveling home to quaratine with my family, this was a huge negative for me. When switching to natural shampoo there is a period of time where your hair will have to adjust (similar to an armpit detox when switching to natural deodorant)… But my head STILL has residue leftover even after weeks of using the product and taking extra care to rinse it all out. Not to mention the fact that I have been using bar products for over two years now!

The bar doesn’t lather as well as Lush bars. I don’t like to have to rub the actual bar on my hair, as I find that wastes some of the product. But, it was extremely difficult to lather the bar in my hands, so I had to use the bar this way. Definitely a downside for me, but that might just be a personal preference!

It made my hair look greasy (probably due to the residue). After finding shampoo bars that were able to not make my hair look greasy, I was disappointed that this product isn’t one of them. Now maybe I should have tried a different “flavor” or something, but the bar just did not work for my hair type. Oh well!

Overall, I don’t think I will be trying out any JR Liggett shampoo bars any time soon. Now that Lush stores have opened again, I decided to try out their Honey I Washed my Hair bar. The white color of this bar will help with the whole staining my tub situation I mentioned above; I hope my hair likes it just as much as Jumping Juniper. I will definitely write a review of this new shampoo in the future! What shampoo bar are you currently trying out? ๐Ÿ˜

A picture of JR Liggett's original shampoo bar
Pin now to read later!

Love,
Jenna โ™ฅ

โžก๏ธ Subscribe toย never miss a post!ย โฌ…๏ธ

Loading

bookmark_borderWhat Natural Deodorant Should You Use? Baking Soda, Charcoal, Zinc, oh my!

Hey muffins! Back when I was just starting my sustainable journey, I remember looking at natural deodorants for the first timeโ€ฆ And being SO confused as to which kind would be the best place to start. There are many different types of natural deodorants to use: magnesium, zinc, baking soda, and activated charcoal: which one should you start with? Thanks to Pretty Frank, I will be sharing my thoughts on this topic today! I have worked with this company numerous times in the past, and they were kind enough to send me trial size versions of each type of deodorant to try them out for you all.

What Natural Deodorant to Use? -The Evaluation Criteria

For each type, I will be answering these questions:
Question 1. Why choose this type over other natural deodorants?
Question 2. How does it apply to the underarms?
Question 3. How long does it last? Does it actually work? (Note: as these are natural deodorants, they are made to prevent smell NOT sweat. Read all about this in my armpit detox post if you are confused!)
Question 4. How does the armpit feel after use?

Activated Charcoal Deodorant in Seaside

A picture of activated charcoal natural deodorant

Question 1: When you switch from a deodorant that is aluminum based (aka one that prevents you from sweating), your armpits will go through an โ€œarmpit detoxโ€ when you start using natural deodorants. This detox will differ for each person, but I didnโ€™t experience much from it. As charcoal is known to draw out toxins, you might want to try this kind when switching to natural. It might make your detox period take less time! ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

Question 2: This deodorant applies very easily and is the perfect consistency. It isnโ€™t too soft or hard, which makes it quick and simple to apply.

Question 3: This deodorant lasts all day! I was a tad concerned that it was a black color and would transfer to my clothes, but I havenโ€™t had any troubles with that. Just make sure to let your pits dry for a minute or so before putting on your shirt! My pits smell nice and fresh throughout the day, but (with any natural deodorant) I would recommend reapplying if you are planning on doing any heavy exercising. Asthey donโ€™t prevent against sweating, it is important to think ahead and not let your sweat wash away the scent protectant!

Question 4: My pits have felt great after using this type. I havenโ€™t noticed my skin being dry and the black color hasnโ€™t dyed my underarms a darker shade (which is always good haha).

Baking Soda Deodorant in Lavender

A picture of baking soda natural deodorant

Question 1: It is no surprise that a natural deodorant classic uses baking soda. Baking soda is often used in sustainable, homemade recipes as it has amazing cleaning qualities. In terms of deodorant, it does an excellent job of neutralizing odors. However, some people with sensitive skin find that baking sodaโ€™s pH is too much for their body which can lead to extra dry skin.

Question 2: This deodorant applies very easily, but it is a softer consistency compared to the activated charcoal. It also feels a tad grainy (which is obviously the baking soda). But, I havenโ€™t had any issues with its application!

Question 3: This product lasts all day! The lavender scent is stronger than the other scents I tried out, so I was more “aware” of when this deodorant was working for me. Again, it doesnโ€™t prevent any sweat, but it definitely kept me smelling nice all day!

Question 4: For me, I didnโ€™t experience any negative side effects after using the baking soda for a long time. I donโ€™t have sensitive skin on my body (just on my face of course), which probably helped with the whole pH thing. If you are concerned that your skin might react, I would definitely recommend getting the trial size from Pretty Frank before getting a full size. For only $4, you canโ€™t go wrong!

Zinc Natural Deodorant in Woodlands

A picture of zinc oxide natural deodorant

Question 1: This type of natural deodorant uses zinc oxide, which is a natural mineral that has antimicrobial, skin-soothing, and anti-odor properties. If you arenโ€™t able to use baking soda, this might be a good place to start!

Question 2: This deodorant is by far the softest of the types, which made it a tiny bit more difficult to apply. I also noticed that it was stickier than the other types, but it wasnโ€™t a big deal after it dried. I did a full review on some zinc deodorant in the past, so check it out for more details! ๐Ÿ‘

Question 3: Again, this lasts all day! Pretty Frank has a lot of zinc deodorant scents; if you tend to have stronger odors, I suggest using a stronger scent like lavender.

Question 4: My pits never got dry or sensitive when using this type. ๐ŸŽ‰

Magnesium Deodorant in Unscented

A picture of magnesium natural deodorant

Question 1: If you have very sensitive skin, this is the product for you! The magnesium hydroxide is perfect for eliminating odors without any possible skin irritants. But, that will limit you on scent as this type of natural deodorant only comes in unscented.

Question 2: I would say this formula is the thickest and โ€œhardestโ€ of the others, so it would sometimes clump off (and onto the floor) before I had the chance to rub it in. This is easily solved by applying small sections at a time.

Question 3: This definitely lasts all day! I was worried that, because it is unscented, it wouldnโ€™t cover up any nasty smellsโ€ฆ But this doesnโ€™t seem to be the case. Even at my smelliest moments the deodorant will turn the odor into a slightly sweet smelling scent; it does the job!

Question 4: This deodorant didnโ€™t make my pits dry or anything like that. If you have found your body reacting negatively to baking soda, then I would highly recommend giving this a try!

Overall, I absolutely loved trying out all of these different types of natural deodorants from Pretty Frank. Many people are scared to switch to something more eco-friendly in this department because IF the product doesnโ€™t work, then everyone around you will know. ๐Ÿ˜ฌ So, when thinking about which of these types is my favorite I would have to say the Baking Soda Lavender! The texture of the deodorant, its smell, and its ability to last all day made it my perfect fit. However, everyoneโ€™s body is different, so I hope this post can guide you all into what natural deodorant to use. What type will you be trying next?!

A picture of four containers of deodorant with the words natural deodorants: the essential guide on top
Pin now to read later!

Love,
Jenna โ™ฅ

โžก๏ธ Subscribe toย never miss a post!ย โฌ…๏ธ

Loading