GROVE Apotheca Original Deodorant

When I came across GROVE Apotheca's best selling product, I knew I had to try it myself and report my findings (gulp). You see the company's best selling product is an everyday product we use, yet sometimes embarrassed to talk about, deodorant. Some of us like to go through the day au natural, minus myself, I am always conscious of bodily odors (namely my own). Like many of my other skin care products, I am always searching for a more natural, less chemical filled deodorant.

In the past, I've used brands like Sure, Secret, Ladies Speed Stick and Dove prior to switching over to natural deodorants. I changed primarily because I didn't like how difficult it was to wash the product off and after a while, they no longer worked (it was time to give the more natural product a try).

In terms of natural deodorants, I've tried natural mineral stones, crystal sticks, Kiss My Face brand and even made my own. I was definitely intrigued when I read about clay as an ingredient so I thought to give this beauty a try.

My goals for this deodorant: 

• 4 ingredients will be effective enough to last at least 12 hours a day
• there will be no cyst like breakouts under the arms
• there will be no allergic or irritant reactions under the arms

Deodorant likes:

• simple 4 ingredient recipe
• exotic coconut scent
• applies smooth and readily on skin
• non irritating
• doesn't stain clothes
• contains coconut oil to help hydrate the skin barrier

Deodorant dislikes:

• leaves underarms slightly sticky for the first few minutes, then disappears (may have been because product softened due being transported in the summer heat and I didn't place it in the refrigerator to cool and harden)
• did experience stress sweating on 2 out the of 14 day trial period when temperatures only hit in the 70s

Marketing label: Virgin coconut oil and sodium bicarbonate neutralize underarm odor. White clay absorbs excess moisture which helps to suppress the growth of odor causing bacteria. Many of our customers find that it keeps their underarms drier than if they weren't wearing anything.  

The Verdict After 2 Weeks:

This 4 ingredient product containing coconut oil, kaolin clay, sodium bicarbonate and beeswax accomplished the goals:

it kept the underpits free from any sweaty odors, for at least a 12 hour day. This is without heavy physical activity, just moderate paced walking in 70- 90 degree F city weather while hanging out and running errands.

I did not experience any breakouts under the arms and there were no irritant or allergic reactions which is pretty rare in my experience when trying natural deodorants.

The deodorant did keep me odor free for the 12 hours but did not always keep the underarm areas dry. I would definitely agree that using the deodorant keeps the underarms drier as opposed to not wearing anything.

Gym: After a trip to the gym for some weights, machine work and strengthening exercises, I found the deodorant to be 60-70% effective in keeping odors at bay. I didn't do this myself as I went to workout at the latter part of the day (after already being out), but as a user tip, consider reapplying the product prior to working out for more effectiveness.

Washing the product off is very easy and honestly preferred over using antiperspirants, even if it means experiencing a little sweat. Do you find washing off aluminum filled deodorants difficult like me?

For a natural deodorant that doesn't utilize aluminum (for those worried about potential aluminum associated effects), I would give it high remarks due to the recipe simplicity, its ingredients and effectiveness. Although it did not keep me dry 100% of the time, I did remain odor free on a typical (no gym) day. Definitely a keeper for daily use, preferred over the other natural deodorants tried.

RAVE FACTOR 3.5 RAVES

*This product was provided to me by Amber from GROVE Apotheca. This product review is based on my own use of this product daily for 2 weeks (in October 2014). Please keep in mind everyone’s skin is unique and that you may have a different experience when using this product.  

Main image courtesy of GROVE Apotheca