For the past three years, I've been on a journey with natural deodorants, and it's been a smelly one. I attempted to reduce my odour with a crystal stick that I'd wet and rub on my armpit. But, after 2 years, I was fed up. I've been trying pastes in jars, tubs, and tried my best to become loyal with natural deodorants which align with my ethics. I've even tried not caring, and forgetting it all together... definitely wouldn't recommend. After years of deodorant struggle (first world problems,right?), I've legitimately found a product that stops me STINK.

When I was asked to trial Bee Fresh deodorant, to be honest, I was hesitant. I have strict guidelines around only working with brands that I can 100% back, and I didn't want to let them down. I was over yet another natural deodorant ending up redundant and destroying my faith in eco-friendly beauty products. But I'm not one to give up so easily! So, I put it to the ultimate test...

KATE'S DEODORANT TEST:

I generally shower in the evenings (now we're getting personal), so I put the deodorant on at about 9:30pm on a Friday night. I then attended 1.5 hours of intense gym classes from 9:45am-11:15am on Saturday morning. That's over 12 hours later. I was really pushing the boat out.

I knew this deodorant test was a risk, as I had to look after my two nieces straight after the gym, and would be pushing it for a shower beforehand... poor things!

I pushed myself that morning. Top motivation tip at the gym: trial a natural deodorant.

Thankfully, for my niece's sake, the deodorant worked. I made sure to ask them what they thought (well, the one that could talk). I wanted to make sure it wasn't just me thinking it worked, because I wanted so badly for it to be the one.

Test results: PASS- with flying colours.

What is Bee Fresh?

Bee Fresh deodorant is made from 100% natural ingredients: Organic coconut oil, shea butter, tapioca flour, sodium bicarbonate, beeswax, vitamin E, citrus essential oil. Perhaps it's the antibacterial qualities of beeswax, coconut oil, and citrus oil, but hot damn, whatever it is, it works! One of the main reasons I have been so set on using a natural deodorant, is because of the packaging. Normal deodorants generally come in thick plastic, which can't be readily recycled. Bee Fresh packaging is 100% compostable. No joke, after I have finished my tube, I will put it in my home compost and watch it disintegrate. Talk about zero waste!

To increase the sustainability of your deodorant purchasing experience (a sentence I never thought I'd say), you can buy Bee Fresh in packs of 3 or 5. This reduces the packaging needed to ship, even though it's all compostable or recyclable, and saves you money too- you're given a discount when you buy in bulk.

P.S. Bee Fresh deodorant doesn't stain clothes either, they've worked hard on that, and I've had no issues.

How to use Bee Fresh Deodorant:

Why use a natural deodorant in the first place?

My desire to have a natural deodorant, stems from the knowledge that deodorants are full of harsh chemicals, and stop us doing what we should all naturally do: sweat. You see, sweat isn't the problem, its actually odourless. It's when our sweat is mixed with bacteria on our skin, that we start to smell. Bacteria multiply, and your friends start to screw up their noses.

Sweat isn't a bad thing, it's our body's way of removing toxins. Unfortunately, classic deodorants have been designed to stifle our sweat glands and stop us sweating all together. NOT GOOD. Rather than stop our sweat, Bee Fresh deodorant works to prevent bacteria. The tapioca flour helps to soak up the sweat, and the oils and beeswax fight the bacteria. It's a natural team effort.

Bee Fresh have thought of it all, and I'm so thankful that founder, Olivia, made it her mission to create a natural deodorant that works. Their ethics embody everything that's close to my heart from the compostable packaging, to the natural ingredients, and the simplicity of buying in bulk.

Try your own Bee Fresh Deodorant

Use code ETHICALLYKATE for 10% OFF

P.S. It's important to note that natural deodorants work differently for different people. Our bodies are vastly different, so just because this worked for me, doesn't necessarily mean it will work the same for you. When you do try it (I hope you get a chance to!), give your body time to get used to it. Your pores may be conditioned to your chemical based deodorant, and need some time to adapt. Please email me with questions if you need! kate@ethicallykate.com

As a rule, I only work with brands I love, use, and can whole heartedly back. This is a sponsored blog (I can't pay my electricity bill with free natural beauty products), but 100% my own words, photos, and opinion.