Review: Nature's Gate Lemongrass & Clary Sage Deodorant Stick

 

      On my journey to use more natural body care products, natural deodorant was one of the first products I tried. It all started when I read somewhere that the aluminum and parabens in deodorant could be toxic to the body, and responsible for a whole host of health problems. And the fragrances in deodorant are even more toxic! Reading about the effects of putting those toxins straight onto my body every single day was more than enough to make me start looking for an alternative.
I started with the Crystal brand of deodorant. It worked alright, but after researching one of the main ingredients, potassium alum, I learned that it contained just another form of aluminum! No thank you!
     This discovery led me back to my local Sprout's Farmers Market, where I decided on the Nature's Gate deodorant. The company itself was founded forty years ago by two men named Leo and Vladimir, whose first product was rainwater shampoo. The company promises to "create formulas that combine proven botanical, herbal and floral treatments with modern ingredients and techniques."
     
Ingredients: Propanediol (Corn Derived/dérivé du maïs),Water (Eau), Glycerin, Sodium Stearate, Saccharomyces Ferment (Vegetable Enzymes/enzymes végétales), Glyceryl Laurate, Salvia Sclarea (Clary/sauge sclarée) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract*, Salvia Sclarea (Clary/sauge sclarée)Oil*, Sodium Bicarbonate, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus(Lemongrass/citronnelle) Leaf/Stem Extract*, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract*, Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola/centella asiatique) Leaf Extract*, Rosmarinus Officinalis Rosemary/romarin) Leaf Extract*, Vaccinium Myrtillus (Bilberry/myrtille) Leaf Extract*, Althaea Officinalis(Marshmallow/guimauve) Root Extract*, Equisetum Arvense(Horsetail/prêle) Leaf Extract*, Humulus Lupulus (Hops/houblon)Flower Extract*, Alcohol Denat., Fragrance (Parfum)**.

Right away, when looking at the ingredients, I see a couple of things I don't love. One of the major ingredients that I really dislike is the fragrance. Something so toxic, even in small amounts, doesn't seem very natural to me. The other ingredient I dislike is the denatured alcohol.

 Scent: This particular scent was very pleasant. Sweet, citrus-y, light, and subtle. Clary sage and lemongrass are two of my favorite essential oils, so I was excited to find them used together in a
 deodorant.

Appearance: This deodorant goes on perfectly. It glides right on, and didn't leave any marks on my clothing.

Efficiency: The first day I used this deodorant, I did very little in terms of physical activity. I noticed a slight body odor about halfway though the day, but I didn't think that it could possibly be me, because, you know, I put on deodorant that morning. I carried on about my day, thinking I might've just walked by something smelly. The next day, I put on my deodorant and went on my merry way. This day was a little more active, but still didn't include any strenuous activity. Around noon, I smelled it again! The faint scent of body odor. Being the awkward bold human being that I am, I smelled myself right then and there at the grocery store. Ugh. It was me. And it smelled like I hadn't put on deodorant in a week. Very disappointing.
     Initially, I just thought that I hadn't used enough, but after using it for a couple of weeks now, (sorry friends and family!), it isn't working any better, no matter how much I use. It almost seems like it makes things worse. Especially with the increasing temperatures here in Arizona.

Overall: I would not recommend this deodorant to anyone, honestly. The number one thing that I look for in a deodorant is efficiency, and this one failed miserably. And while the smell is pleasant, I can't overlook the ingredients.


Do you have a favorite natural deodorant? Comment below!