Many of us have gone on the journey of eliminating any sort of unnecessary chemical use from our daily routine – and that includes deodorant. The aluminium found in many mainstream deodorant formulas has been what most has been cited in the headlines more than anything else, with claims that using deodorants or antiperspirants increase your risk of breast cancer floating around now for several years. As yet no absolutely concrete link has been established between the aforementioned aluminium content and cancer but hey, the less a chemical load you can put in your body, the better.

One brand that is a major player on the natural deodorant scene internationally is Kaia naturals, who created the first-ever bamboo charcoal deodorant stick, the takesumi detox®. Takesumi (activated bamboo charcoal) is a time-honoured Japanese secret for odour control and detoxification and yep, it works. Charcoal acts like a magnet to pull toxins from sweat glands and neutralises underarm bacteria to eliminate odour, and their beautiful formula also comes with a range of natural scents.

The takesumi detox is 100 percent non-toxic, cruelty-free and vegan, and the high-performance formula stays away from traditional natural deodorant ingredients, which often include irritating baking soda and coconut oil. There is no Aluminum, Propylene glycol, Parabens or Phthalates in there either, making it a no brainer if you’re looking to make the switch.

Kaia naturals’ takesumi detox is available in six artisanal blends, depending on your taste. Sakura Blossom is pretty and spring-like, whilst Cold-Pressed Rose is a delicate floral. Nordic Frost is cool and considered, whilst English Lime Mint is fresh and summer-y. Last up, Mandarin Pomelo is perfect for citrus lovers, and Black Oak & Bourbon is rich and woody.

Kaia naturals also offer The Underarm Bar, a handy add-on for gym bunnies that transforms any natural deodorant into extra strength odour protection. Formulated with apple cider vinegar and charcoal, it basically eliminates bacteria on your skin BEFORE applying natural deodorant, making it a great choice for your healthiest sweat session yet.

If you’re new to natural deodorant, you may go through a period of ‘detox’, which if you persevere with will deliver a great end result. A two to four-week transition period can be expected when changing from antiperspirant to natural deodorant, during which time underarm odour and moisture levels will normalise as your body adjusts. Studies show that antiperspirant users experience an increase in odorous bacteria in the underarm area when they stop using antiperspirant, as well as a little additional moisture, which is temporary. Fight on through and your body will thank you for it – we promise!

All of our bodies are different too: some people may have no issues at all, and some may go through a detox phase. Lots of factors can affect how you respond, with diet, hormones and health all playing a part in how healthy our armpits are. Winter is the perfect time to give this a whirl as temperatures and cooler and your body will be too.