During my antiperspirant break, I also took the opportunity to test out the efficacy of natural deodorants. In my opinion, they are are great . . . if you never walk anywhere and only dwell in air-conditioned environments.
Most days, the protection was enough to cover me through 2 o'clock, but then I would get swamp pits all afternoon. In the 80 degree Miami temperatures or a one-hour hip-hop dance class? FORGET IT! I still ended up a sweaty mess, but I can admit there was less stench.
The sweat isn't what causes you to stink, it's the mix of bacteria and moisture that causes the odor. So the natural deodorant was enough to keep the bacteria levels low.
Eventually, I got into a routine of applying natural deodorants twice a day. Once right before bed and another layer before work in the morning. While the product didn't stop me from sweating, I never got any strange product buildup. My skin actually felt soft, rather than sticky.
