My sisters and I grew up together as athletes and we were, and still are, intensely competitive.

We played the same sports and frequently, our desire to win resulted in bruises and hurt feelings.  I have always been taller than my two sisters. They’re both about 5’ 8” and I stand 6 feet tall. My older sister Dana was a skilled point guard in basketball and could nail 3 point shots. Gwen was fast and could connect passes from one side of the court to the other. Being taller than them meant I had the satisfaction of “stuffing” their shots and bruising their egos, and sometimes their ribs if they dared get close enough to my boney elbows.

Regardless of our competitive natures I love my sisters and we have a great relationship today. I want them to be healthy, and I have recently been raving to them about a new product-solution to stop an unhealthy habit we all started as teenagers. Playing year round sports meant that we sweat, a lot. To combat being stinky, I started using anti-perspirant deodorant. I saw the commercials on TV and was psyched that I would never have to be known as “the smelly one” on my sport’s teams. Everyone sweats, and you’re supposed to because it’s healthy.

“While abhorred by many, sweating actually has numerous health- and beauty-related benefits. Your skin is the largest organ of your body, and serves important roles just like any other bodily organ. For example, sweating helps your body:

  • Maintain proper temperature and keep you from overheating

  • Expel toxins, which supports proper immune function and helps prevent diseases related to toxic overload

  • Kill viruses and bacteria that cannot survive in temperatures above 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit

  • Clean the pores, which will help eliminate blackheads and acne” 1

Empowered with this information, I still didn’t care. I started using antiperspirant deodorant as a teenager have done so for the past ten years. The benefits of sweating is great and all, but smelling like b.o. has never been acceptable to me. A couple years ago I learned a lot about the harmful chemicals used in antiperspirants. One of the most damaging, and most effective chemicals in antiperspirants is aluminum.

“Putting on antiperspirant is a routine part of most people’s day, and you may not think much about it. But here’s why you should: if you use one containing aluminum, you could be increasing your risk of breast cancer.

Antiperspirants work by clogging, closing, or blocking the pores that release sweat under your arms — with the active ingredient being aluminum. Not only does this block one of your body’s routes for detoxification (releasing toxins via your underarm sweat), but it raises concerns about where these metals are going once you roll them (or spray them) on.

Research, including one study published this year in the Journal of Applied Toxicology, has shown that the aluminum is not only absorbed by your body, but is deposited in your breast tissue.” 2

In the past couple years I have taken on a manageable effort to reduce the harmful chemicals I use in every day life. First, I stopped drinking soda, then I stopped adding sugar to my coffee, and finally I was ready to get rid of my anti-perspirant. I bought five or six different natural deodorant brands over time, and I finally gave up buying new ones I would see in stores. I would wear them to work, and within a few hours I would smell from my work-stress induced sweat. Not cool. So then I would put on my antiperspirant and soon a drawer in my bathroom was full of natural deodorants I would never use again. My efforts to be healthier were causing me to throw away money on products that didn’t work.

Unrelated to my pursuit of finding an effective natural deodorant, a friend on Facebook suggested I like a page called Noniko, a company that makes natural deodorants. The reviews were so inspiring I had to give this product a chance. One major difference with their ingredient list was the use of baking soda. I purchased the Lavender-Ylang. Needless to say (I’m writing an entire blog leading up to the success and effectiveness of this product) it worked! I have been using it at work for a couple months now, and I never had to re-apply during my work hours.

It’s amazing.

It smells like a woman’s deodorant, versus the many other natural deodorant brands for women that smell like men’s deodorant. It’s consistency is smooth but not sticky. It’s price is more expensive than other brands, but unlike the other brands I’ve bought, this one it actually works! The ingredient list includes: Coconut oil, beeswax, arrowroot powder, baking soda and specified essential oils.

I recommend this product to women I love, like my sisters, who want to be healthy, but also don’t want to stink. I’m so excited that there is now a product available that is aluminum free, and gives me the confidence to know I don’t need to worry about smelling in front of some of  the most brutally honest people on Earth, middle school students.

Check out their products at www.nonikoskin.com.