Natural Deodorant That Works

The journey on creating a deodorant made with natural ingredients that actually works...

Our journey originally started with crafting some pretty kick-ass beard and skincare products that we have made for ourselves and others over the last few years. Since releasing our beard care range, we have built a solid returning customer base that is constantly growing and we wanted to work on expanding the range, deodorant was one of these.

We started researching many local brands of deodorants from around New Zealand, Australia, and a few others globally, The main trend we noticed in the market was that the majority of these deodorants contained baking soda. From scrolling through loads and loads of comments and reviews of each different product, we noticed that there were plenty of people who were having reactions to baking soda or that the deodorants they were purchasing didn't really work for them. 

It was here that we decided to take the plunge and starting trialing out several different brands of deodorants. after testing, we noticed, after using each brand for a few days over different time periods, that most of us too had armpits that reacted badly. My armpits became itchy and inflamed with a red rash, one that took several days to subside. Some of these deodorants appeared to work for part of the day and some just didn't work at all. We found it pretty disheartening that there was not something in the current market to break away from the store-bought alternatives. 

We made the decision that we now wanted to create a kick-ass natural deodorant for our families and our followers that was suitable for sensitive skin, contained no baking soda, and was made with natural ingredients, That actually worked!

We played around for months with many ingredients and ratios this included ingredients like Arrowroot Powder, Tapioca Starch, Baking Soda, Magnesium Hydroxide, different kinds of butter, powders, waxes, and oils. Finally, through plenty of trial and error and irritated armpits, we came across the perfect formula that consisted of Zinc Ricinoleate, Zinc Oxide, Mango Butter, Shea Butter, Beeswax, Vitamin E, and Sweet Almond Oil. The first few days of testing the latest formula we thought to ourselves, we've actually done it, the months of testing had finally paid off and we were super stoked! there was no body odor, the deodorant went on smoothly, and best of all there was no rash or irritation! 

We didn't want to jump the gun quite yet so we did longer trials with the new formula for a 2 week period and still so far so good, the deodorant was still holding up perfectly. It was decided that we needed to test out our deodorant on others to confirm that it worked for them and not just us.  

We decided to do some public testing and this was done by offering a trial to some of our current customers and social media followers. This involved a random pick of different ages and sexes to test out our product for around 2 weeks and to request honest feedback at the end. I eagerly awaited to hear what they thought of the final product and below are some of the responses that we received. 

Sarah - “Being new to using natural deodorants I wasn’t too sure what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised! When I opened the packaging and saw the stick I was worried about the texture, how it would feel on my skin and whether it would stain my clothes but it was fine. The deodorant was light feeling and lasted the whole day (even with an hr long dog walk). Definitely would recommend!”

Jon - "Primo deodorant, keeps the Pitts in check and great fragrance"

Ben - "Never used a natural stick deodorant before but this product was easy to use, performed well, and had a nice scent. Would recommend to others"

Alton - "An awesome fresh peppermint fragrance that lasts all day. Skin feels great and no marks on the clothes...great stuff"

Eain - "Initially found the feel while applying this deodorant different to others I have used and this took a little while to become accustomed too. However, I have now come to appreciate this product because of the natural ingredients, the pleasant subtle scent, and absolute all-day longevity. The cardboard packaging is novel and definitely stylish. A great product which I am happy to continue using."

Stu - "Le jon jon, the jon, his products are the best in the biz, I work hospitality, deodorants are easy, this one is not only harm free but it delivers, sure I have to used it twice in a 12-hour shift, but I'm fine with that, can't wait for it to be in citrus!!!"

Here's a little information about the ingredients that we use in our deodorant.

Sweet Almond Oil - This oil is extracted from Almond nuts, we use only cold-pressed oil in our products as it retains all the natural goodness whilst being extracted. Sweet Almond Oil balances the amount of sebum produced which reduces acne and prevents dirt from becoming stuck in pores from overly oily skin. It is adsorbed very quickly, other oils can sit on top of the skin for far too long before they get absorbed by the hair and skin. Sweet Almond oil is packed with Vitamin E and healthy fatty acids.

Packaging: Due to a large amount of feedback in regards to the packaging being environmentally friendly, we have decided to use eco cardboard tubes, depending on the temperature at the time and where the deodorant is being stored e.g. cold mornings in a cold bathroom, this can make it slightly difficult to push the product up through the tube (This doesn’t occur with plastic dispensers). We find a quick trick that can help to soften the product inside is to roll the tube in your hands, store in your pocket for a short period, or store in a slightly sunny spot. The body heat from your body should quickly soften it enough to push the tube up.

We hope you like it as much as we do!

Check out our range of natural deodorant here

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Why did you decide to create a deodorant?
A: Our journey began with crafting beard and skincare products, and as we expanded our range, we noticed a gap in the market for natural deodorants that actually worked. After researching many brands and experiencing personal reactions to common ingredients like baking soda, we set out to create a natural deodorant suitable for sensitive skin.

Q2: What ingredients do you use in your deodorant?
A: Our natural deodorant formula consists of Zinc Ricinoleate, Zinc Oxide, Mango Butter, Shea Butter, Beeswax, Vitamin E, Sweet Almond Oil, and mixed essential oils. These ingredients offer odor-neutralizing properties, skin conditioning, and protection.

Q3: How did you ensure that your deodorant is effective?
A: We conducted extensive testing with various ingredients and ratios to create a formula that effectively combats body odor while being gentle on the skin. Our trials included personal testing as well as feedback from a diverse group of testers to ensure efficacy for different individuals.

Q4: Are deodorants with eco-friendly packaging less convenient to use?
A: While our eco-friendly cardboard tubes may require a bit of extra effort in colder temperatures, such as rolling the tube in your hands or storing it in a warmer spot to soften the product, we believe it's a small inconvenience compared to the environmental benefits of sustainable packaging.

Q5: Can I use your deodorant if I have sensitive skin?
A: Yes, our deodorant is designed for sensitive skin and does not contain baking soda, a common irritant in many conventional deodorants. Our gentle ingredients, such as Zinc Ricinoleate and Shea Butter, help soothe and protect sensitive skin while effectively neutralizing odor.

If you have any other questions or concerns about our eodorant or our brand in general, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're committed to providing high-quality products that prioritize both effectiveness and skin health.

Handmade in New Zealand - The Lejonjon Team