In this blog, we dive into 2 common misconceptions that many people have about natural deodorants!

Misconception 1: Have you noticed itchiness or even rashes around your pits after the switch?

If you are wondering if it is due to the ingredients in the natural deodorant that is causing this, the answer is -- Nope. Chances are, you probably aren’t even allergic to any of the ingredients that went into the making of natural deodorants. So how, and why does this reaction happen to you?

The Answer - Conventional Deodorants

The answer is conventional deodorants. Conventional deodorants contain aluminium that is absorbed by your pits each time you use them; what this translates to is an accumulation of aluminium by the cells of your pits.

When you switch to natural deodorants which are devoid of any traces of aluminium, the skin begins to undergo a natural detox process whereby it releases all the aluminium absorbed from conventional deodorants.

This process that typically lasts 2-4 weeks is the one that causes itchiness and potentially rashes around your pits. However, what this does is also reduce your skin’s aluminium exposure which has been linked to several chronic diseases and heavy metal toxicity.

Coping With The Itch

To combat the itch, we recommend that you adopt the measures below:

• Apply moisturizer around your pits
• Use cold compresses around your pits
• Apply anti-itch creams around your pits

If you do switch to natural deodorants and experience skin irritation, don’t be too quick to pin the blame on the natural deodorant -- it is in fact a beneficial process that removes toxins and gives you better skin

Misconception 2: Do you find yourself releasing more body odour (BO) after switching to natural deodorants?

During the natural detox process which lasts 2-4 weeks, the skin releases aluminium that it has absorbed from conventional deodorants. This translates to increased sweating as the primary role of aluminium is to inhibit sweating. At this point you might be thinking: “But sweat doesn’t smell bad by itself, so why am I releasing more BO?”

This is because BO is caused by bacteria breaking down the acid within the sweat. As such, it is perfectly normal for a person who transitions to natural deodorants to have stronger BO until the natural detox process is complete.

The Solution?

To combat the issue of stronger BO during the natural detox process, we recommend that you adopt the measures below:

• Apply essential oil to your clothes
• Keeping a healthy diet and reducing red meat consumption
• Wiping pits with antibacterial wipes followed by tissue to dry it

If you do switch to natural deodorants and experience stronger BO for a period of time, rest assured that it is completely normal and not because ,natural deodorants are less effective than conventional deodorants.

Her Honest Thoughts Can you share more about yourself?

A: I am married and starting a family soon, thinking about the mess the past generations created for our future in terms of waste and global warming, that's not the life I want my offsprings to have to live with or worry about. Since my house is coming in 5 years, I need to find ways to start now rather than later, so small steps for me!

What problems did you face before using our deodorant?

A: The amount of waste I was accumulating!! And also finding cheaper options aka going to Batam to get my supply of deodorant spray bottles (because it is cheaper). But also, I remember once my mother bought one for me and I used it just a few times, and it was finished.

It made me realise that people at the supermarket probably sprayed and used it and left it back on the shelves! There wasn't an indicator as to how much it is left. I noticed something about sprays as well, if the room is not well ventilated, it can get pretty suffocating.

How did you find out about our brand?

A: As I am trying to be more environmentally-friendly for the sake of my future unconceived children, I have been following more profiles featuring sustainable products, of course, also introduced by my best friend to be more sustainable too.

After a lot of browsing of ways I can contribute, Smood came up and I read more and learned more, I realised that their way does a lot more good than the traditional spray or roll-on type - smart packaging at a minimal and reused boxes!

What is your experience with our deodorant?

A: It was a little difficult to adjust as the traditional spray was just shake, twist, and spray. I had to look in the mirror and make sure I was doing it right the first few times! But after I got the hang of it, it was really easy to use, I no longer need to look in the mirror.

What do you like the most about our deodorant?

A: The smelllllll~ I absolutely love the peppermint! Reminds me so dearly of an old peppermint sweet my relatives buy over for Christmas - so yummy!

Any tips to share with other customers?

A: I'd love more tips for myself too! Still learning~

Thank you for sharing, @pestanatasha:) If you wish to share your story, drop us a message!

In this series, we go in-depth into the benefits of the essential oil used so that you can make more informed decisions!

How Do The Scents Come About?

For us, we decided to use only essential oil to give the deodorants their scent instead of fragrance or any other options in the market!

The rationale? These oils are extracted through careful steam distillation and cold pressing, with the purest form being produced. Essential oils have been used for thousands of years for their wonderful cosmetic properties.

Lavender Tea Tree is a blend of Lavender essential oil and Tea Tree essential oil.

Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tea Tree is an essential oil distilled from the leaves of the native Australian plant ,Melaleuca alternifolia.

Benefits of Tea Tree Essential Oil

These are some examples of the benefits of essential oil:

• Antibacterial and antifungal
• Reduces inflammation
• Effective in suppressing allergic contact dermatitis

Lavender Essential Oil

One of the most popular essential oil, lavender essential oil promotes relaxation and believed to treat anxiety, fungal infections, allergies, depression, insomnia, eczema, nausea, and menstrual cramps.

Benefits of Lavender Essential Oil

These are some examples of the benefits of essential oil:

• Kills bacteria which helps to prevent acne
• Soothes eczema and dry skin
• Aids in skin lightening
• Anti-inflammatory

Do Note!

While essential oil has many benefits, if you have any side effects from using the oil such as skin rash, irritation or redness, kindly stop using them.

Her Experience

Her Honest Thoughts

Can you share more about yourself?

A: I'm Kay, owner and Chief Maker of the Tinkerbox, a artisan studio that handcrafts fabric reusable alternatives to single use items. I used to work in advertising and brand strategy for the big consumer brands.

How did you find out about our brand?

A: The Instagram algorithm first brought you to my attention, and then @thesustainabilityproject_

What problems did you face using our ,,deodorant?

A: While the FMCG brands worked for me, I didn't like how my white shirts stained. Crystal deos unfortunately don't work for me. I was really conscious of being stinky, particularly when wearing certain clothing (which I later found out were made from synthetic – i.e., non breathable – fabric.

What is your experience with our deodorant?

A: The deo works! I find it a tad sticky but it's something that I've learned to work around. Your deo also works with that offending piece of clothing and keeps icky smells at bay.

What do you like the most about our deodorant?

A: It works. It's simply and fuss free. I wish the lavender scent would come through more but I'm happy regardless.

Any tips to share with other customers?

A: Because it's sticky, it tends to attract dust. It's not so noticeable when the deo is sizeable, but when it becomes really small, the dust balls and the deo becomes grey. Keep it away from dust as much as possible!

Thank you for sharing, @insidethetinkerbox:)

If you wish to share your story, drop us a message!

In this series, we go in-depth into the benefits of the essential oil used so that you can make more informed decisions!

How Do The Scents Come About?

For us, we decided to use only essential oil to give the deodorants their scent instead of fragrance or any other options in the market!

The rationale? These oils are extracted through careful steam distillation and cold pressing, with the purest form being produced. Essential oils have been used for thousands of years for their wonderful cosmetic properties.

Lemon Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Lemon eucalyptus is the essential oil that’s distilled from the leaves of the lemon eucalyptus tree.

Benefits of Lemon Eucalyptus Essential Oil

These are some examples of the benefits of essential oil:

• High antioxidant activity but lower antibacterial and anticancer activity.
• Reduces inflammation
• Prevents infection

Do Note!

While essential oil has many benefits, if you have any side effects from using the oil such as skin rash, irritation or redness, kindly stop using them.

In this series, we go in-depth into the benefits of the essential oil used so that you can make more informed decisions!

How Do The Scents Come About?

For us, we decided to use only essential oil to give the deodorants their scent instead of fragrance or any other options in the market!

The rationale? These oils are extracted through careful steam distillation and cold pressing, with the purest form being produced. Essential oils have been used for thousands of years for their wonderful cosmetic properties.

Lavender Essential Oil

One of the most popular essential oil, lavender essential oil promotes relaxation and believed to treat anxiety, fungal infections, allergies, depression, insomnia, eczema, nausea, and menstrual cramps.

Benefits of Lavender Essential Oil

These are some examples of the benefits of essential oil:

• Kills bacteria which helps to prevent acne
• Soothes eczema and dry skin
• Aids in skin lightening
• Anti-inflammatory

Do Note!

While essential oil has many benefits, if you have any side effects from using the oil such as skin rash, irritation or redness, kindly stop using the

Her Experience

Her Honest Thoughts

How did you find out about our brand?

A: I searched "deodorant" in IG store hahaha

What problems did you face using our ,,deodorant?

A: I always knew that the ingredients in mainstream deodorants are unhealthy (eg. Aluminium) and I wanted an alternative. The deodorant I used was really good though but still felt that it was not good for my skin/body.

What is your experience with our deodorant?

At first, it took a while to adjust to a natural deodorant without those antiperspirant ingredients. It didn't last as long as my previous deodorant and I was very afraid I would smell bad especially going out.

I hike often and initially, it wore off quite quickly but as it used it more frequently, it actually stayed and can sustain a 10km hike haha. Of course, I applied more and also overnight~ now it works great it can last me almost a whole day and I wouldn't be smelling bad

What do you like the most about our deodorant?

A: I tried the starter deodorant and it lasted quite long !! It's natural and better for my skin/body

Any tips to share with other customers?

A: apply before you sleep, apply regularly to prevent odour.

Thank you for sharing, @foolnna :)

If you wish to share your story, drop us a message!

But wait a minute, you realise that there are some yellow stains in the armpit area. Oh no! Where did that come from?

Today, we are here to uncover that mystery!

First Up, It Is Not Your Sweat

You might think that it is your sweat that is causing your shirt to turn yellow. But then you look around others who are also wearing a white shirt, they don't seem to face that issue.

Before you jump to the conclusion that it is your body that is weird, let us stop you right there as it is definitely okay!

Then what is it?

The Answer - Aluminium

The real cause of these yellowish stains is a mixture of the minerals (especially salt) in sweat mixing with the ingredients in antiperspirant or deodorant (primarily aluminium).

Not only is deodorant with aluminium bad for your health, but they also leave you in this awkward situation!

How To ,Get Rid Of The Stain

Here are some natural remedies available!

1) Lemon

Grab a lemon, and squeeze the juice directly onto the stain, soaking the area. Then add a teaspoon of table salt. The acidity in lemon makes it an effective stain fighter.

Hang the shirt out in the sun to dry as exposing your shirt to the sun creates a bleaching effect that will brighten it up in no time.

2) Baking Soda

Use 4 tablespoons of baking soda and ¼ cup of warm water. If the stain is older, leave the concoction on the fabric for about two hours before washing. You can also try adding a small amount of white vinegar to the stain before you throw it into the washing machine for greater stain-fighting power.

3) White Vinegar

Combine 4 cups of warm water with 1 cup of white vinegar. Wet the stain with the mixture, and rub the material together with your knuckles.

If the stain still sticks around, try soaking it in a bucket of vinegar solution for a few hours. Then toss the shirt into the washing machine.

The Most Important Step

The best way to remove yourself from facing this awkward situation again is to replace that aluminium deodorant with natural aluminium free deodorant! Simple as that!

Check out our range of ,deodorant!

First up, you need to know that natural products arebetter for your body and the Earth as compared to those products that are filled with chemicals. There are actually lots of natural ingredients that are effective at killing bacteria, which is the main job of a deodorant.

So, these are the 6 crucial ingredients that go into our deodorant and the reason why we chose each of these ingredients!

Beeswax

Beeswax is a crucial ingredient which helps to create moisture for the skin and protect it against toxins and irritants.

It effectively softens your skin and creates a long-lasting protective coating against the elements.

It is a natural wax made by bees to structure their hives and provides a thickening effect due to its higher melting point.

Cassava Starch

This roots of a plant, Manihot esculenta shrub, that provides the function of absorbing moisture and creating a smooth texture on the skin. It is a natural edible ingredient and consists of both components that gives it’s the thickening properties.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is anti-bacteria and anti-inflammatory.

It is used to kill fungi, yeast and bacteria.

Due to its high saturated fat content, it is useful in hydrating the skin and hair.

Sodium Bicarbonate/Baking Soda

This alkaline substance is antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory! It also plays the part of neuralising your odour.

Did you know it is a tool used medically to fight against everything from colds to oral problems to skin issues?

Shea Butter

Shea butter is rich in vitamins A, E and F and provides the skin with essential fatty acids and nutrients for collagen production. In addition, it offers UV protection of SPFF6!

Essential Oil

We use a variation of essential oil:

• Lavender: Known to have a calming effect with its fresh, clean and flora blend. It is highly versatile and can be used from skin care products to relaxing routines.
• Peppermint: Provides a relaxing and soothing sensation on your skin. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect.
• Lemon Eucalyptus: High in cleansing citronellal and citronellol, making this essential oil ideal for surface and skin cleansing.

With that, I hope you have a clearer understanding that each and every ingredients that goes into making our Smood deodorant!

Her Experience

Her Honest Thoughts

Can you share more about yourself?

A: I am Lena and I just turned 21 years old :) I've been using Smood for about 2 months now.

How did you find out about our brand?

A: I discovered Smood when looking online for a more environmentally sustainable alternative to the commercial deodorants in disposable plastic containers.

What problems did you face using our ,,deodorant?

A: I did not know how much I was supposed to apply wah time: it was only after some searching on the website that I saw that it was a pea-sized amount.

I also had difficulties spreading the deodorant evenly without leaving too much residue on my fingers instead. In the first few weeks, I had a few pimples on my underarms probably because I hadn't already the deodorant properly or applied too much.

But after some adjustments, I have gotten more skilled at applying and is now used to it :)

What do you like the most about our deodorant?

A: After the initial hiccups and difficulties, I now really like it and will probably stick to it!

Definitely feels healthier and better using a deodorant knowing that it has a lesser impact on our health and environment!

What do you like the most about our deodorant?

A: Probably the whole ethos behind it: that it is sustainable from its ingredients to packaging. Not to mention it actually works as a deodorant and smells really good!

Any tips to share with other customers?

A: Though it might be a new experience compared to the commercial deodorants, don't worry too much about the technical aspects of applying it as you will get used to it!

If you believe in making a small difference to the environment while supporting a local business, no harm trying it out :)

Thank you for sharing, @lemonbao_:)

If you wish to share your story, drop us a message!

How do you use it? Is it even convenient? Why make it so troublesome?

I admit, it isn’t the most convenient step to take but when you think of the bigger picture, it is worth it after all. Growing a deodorant brand with as minimal packaging as possible was something that we felt we had to do. It was done with one intention - to leave the world a better place.

It has been one year since our brand started and over the whole course, we focused on educating the market on how to use our deodorant bar. With it being such new concept in the market, it takes time for market acceptance and we know that not everyone will want to make that switch.

But let us explain the reason for taking this big bold step and perhaps you would be convinced to make that switch ultimately.

So, here is why we wanted to go low waste and why we wouldn't have it otherwise.

Have you ever noticed that the packaging waste in Singapore is so scary?

That product wrapped in plastic then placed in a box and given to you in a plastic bag. Each product almost goes through 2 to 3 rounds of packaging. Plastic, bubble wrap, Styrofoam – all these are being used to protect the product.

On one hand, I do understand that brands do want to ensure their product does not get damaged and some brands placed a very high value of the aesthetics of their items. On the other hand, that piece of packaging is only used for a few hours before being thrown away.

Unnecessary packaging is not only a drain on resources, it also adds to the production of waste. Of the 1.6 million tonnes of domestic waste disposed of in 2018, one-third is made up of packaging.

Deodorant is one product that I felt produce a lot of waste. The conventional ones come in those aerosol cans which cannot be recycled. If not, they come in plastic tubes and plastic pollution is an issue that we don’t want to contribute to even further.

This was why we decided to have a deodorant bar, as naked as possible and wrapped minimally with baking paper and tied up with scrap fabric.

You can place them in your own container if you wish to. I am sure you have tons of them at home you can reuse! Or you can even try to transfer the deodorant bar into those plastic tubes to reuse them and extend their life as much as you can!

Likewise, for the packaging used to ship our items to you, we say no to any new form of packaging or fillers. We collect used and clean packaging materials to be reused.

Because, why not? Why generate more waste when you can use what is currently in the market? Why not, take the opportunity to share with customers on the importance of leaving as little waste as we can and use the business as a way to educate others?

We are also happy to be part of the ,Zero Waste Packaging Initiative which is a ground-up movement aim is to encourage businesses to adopt a circular packaging system, provide support and recognise businesses who reduce their waste through these means.

With all these little steps taken, we hope that we can truly leave the world a better place for the future generation. We can proudly tell them, "We did our best".

Her Experience

Her Honest Thoughts

Can you share more about yourself?

A: Hello! My name is Britney, I’m 20 and I’ve been eco-conscious since May 2020! I still consider myself a beginner because I think there’s still so much to learn about being low-waste and habits that need to be reinforced.

I’m very passionate about it since discovering this lifestyle and also hope to encourage and bring awareness to others about the small steps towards a low-waste lifestyle, no matter how small a step!

What problems did you face before using our ,,deodorant?

A: Honestly I do feel that commercial deodorants are mostly antiperspirants that don't allow your underarms to “breathe”. I also remember trying out other natural deodorants before but they all come with so much packaging waste that is all thrown away at the end of its life cycle.

How did you find out about our brand?

A: It was such a great moment to find _the one_ because Smood is pretty much as low-waste as it gets. I found the brand through your stockists ,,thesustainabilityproject and ertha while I was looking for online stores that promoted eco-conscious products during circuit breaker.

That was kind of a break through moment for me and Smood was amongst the first 2 products that made my first step into the sustainability lifestyle because I thought this could be the easy swap to start with!

What do you like the most about our deodorant?

A: As I mentioned, it's as low-waste as it gets, just a paper to hold your deodorant and the rest are repurposed materials! When I started out using natural deodorants, I gotta say I was shocked at how much my underarms still sweat because I wasn't aware of the difference between antiperspirants and deodorants.

I had to do plenty of research (which Smood’s blog posts also helped a ton) on the normalities of natural deodorant. Even figuring out how to hold it and apply was a bit of a struggle because, after some time, the deodorant got soft. I found a metal bottle cover and used that to hold the deodorant when it gets too soft to apply directly and need to use my fingertips! I must say, there is a learning curve but it is worth it!

What do you like the most about our deodorant?

Its longevity!! my first bar of Smood’s deodorant really lasted me 5 months and that's with me putting it on almost every day, and a generous amount too! (cause I really wanted to open a new bar, opening new products always excites me because I feel like I'm making so much progress!) But seriously though, 5 months and only $8, I think its a really good deal, plus considering all the excessive packaging we are saving by supporting local and a brand that is also eco-conscious (uh, score??!)

Any tips to share with other customers?

A: Just try it and do your research before making the purchase, so if you’re reading this now, then good on you!

I find that this is one of the easiest swaps I had to make and have no regrets. Smood now even offers a smaller $5 bar for those who are afraid of committing, which is so thoughtful and I believe helpful to beginners!

Plus they are very active and friendly on social media to answer to your queries so I wouldn't worry about having problems and awkwardly having no one to ask about trying out new deodorant.

Thank you for sharing, @lazyknee :)

If you wish to share your story, drop us a message!

After all, the skin absorbs up to 60% of what we apply.

Plus, the skin performs several vital functions for the body including protecting the other vital organs, bones, muscles and nerves.

Now, you wouldn’t want to be applying harmful chemicals on it and slowly poison it right?

Here are some ingredients you should keep a lookout for and avoid.

Artificial Fragrances

That really strong smell that might give you a headache at times? Well, that is the artificial fragrance doing its work and magic.

Based on a study, it showed that 1 in 3 reported health problems — including ,migraines and respiratory issues — when exposed to scented consumer products. Even if you do not experience these symptoms, your body is absorbing the volatile organic compounds emitted by synthetic fragrances.

It is best to avoid these as much as you can and if you wish to purchase a scented product, search for essential oils instead!

Parabens

Essentially they are the preservatives of the beauty industry. Even though it is used to prevent fungi, bacteria, and yeast, it can severely throw off your body’s hormone balance.

One of the greatest concern of parabens is the link it has to increased risk of breast cancer. So ladies, if you ever see this ingredient listed, place it back to the shelf for your own safety!

Triclosan

An antibacterial agent added to many consumer products to reduce or prevent bacterial contamination. Do note that it is routinely still used in many brands of toothpaste.

Unfortunately, it has been found to wreak havoc on the guts of mi

ce ,,whose blood concentrations of the compound are roughly equivalent to a typical level for humans.

Propylene Glycol

Prevents the product from drying and serves as a thickener. ,Propylene glycol has been shown to be a skin irritant and to cause allergic reactions.

Aluminium

They function as pigments and thickening agents. In addition, they are most commonly found in antiperspirants as it helps to stops perspiration by blocking your sweat glands.

But, given that perspiration is a natural process of the body, it is no wonder that this product causes harmful effects on your body.

It can cause “gene instability” in breast tissue, ,Darbre’s research shows. Long-lasting uptakes of significant concentrations of aluminium can lead to ,,serious health effects, such as:

- Damage to the central nervous system

- Dementia

- Loss of memory

- Listlessness

- Severe trembling

The above information might sound scary and feel like we might even be fear-mongering you. But trust us, you will want to know about all these products and the effects it has.

The easiest step we can take as consumers is to learn about all these ingredients and know what you are getting yourself into when you make a purchase!

Here is everything you need to know about the 2 products and their main difference!

What Is Antiperspirant

Essentially, antiperspirant is a product that helps you control your sweat so as to reduce your underarm wetness.

It contains this ingredient – Aluminium salt, which plays a crucial role in blocking your sweat glands on your skin.

Once the aluminium salt comes in contact with your sweat, it turns into a gel and forms a plug over your sweat glands. Hence, reducing the amount of sweat on your skin.

Do note that there have been ,studies done that theorised that aluminium based antiperspirant may increase the risk of breast cancer.

Also, those whose kidney function of ,,less than 30% may not be able to clear the aluminium in antiperspirants out of their system efficiently.

What Is ,Deodorant?

Deodorant, on the other hand, is a product that kills and reduces the number of bacteria that leads to odour. Deodorants increase your skin acidity, which odour-causing bacteria don’t like!

So when you sweat, there is an absence of bacteria to cause you to have body odour.

It does not block your sweat gland, so be prepared to sweat as normal. You should also keep in mind that sweating is a way for your body to regulate its temperature and cannot be avoided totally

With that, now you have a better understanding of the main difference between the 2 products!

- What is the best deodorant in Singapore?

- Best deodorant for women?

Today, we are going to share and answer the question, which brand carries the best deodorant?

It might not be what you expect at all because there is actually no best deodorant brand.

Why do I say that?

Natural deodorant is formulated with a variety of ingredients and at different ratios. No two brand holds the same formula and each batch actually differs from one another.

Having that in mind, we also need to keep the most essential point in view.

Everyone’s body is different.

With so many factors affecting the final product, it means that the same natural deodorant might work well for you but not for your friend. It is not only the issue of the formulation but also the fact that everyone's body reaction is different.

Then which brand should I choose? You might be wondering to yourself.

Our best answer is to take a chance and try it out. When you purchase a new deodorant, do test it out for a few days with a small portion. Bear in mind that sometimes there might be an armpit detox happening or your body might be allergic to some of the ingredients present.

Our Deodorant Made Small

With that in mind, we specifically chose to make our deodorant in small sizes for 2 reasons:

1) For you to make a small investment and test out how well the deodorant works for you

2) To ensure that it is kept as fresh as possible (we make a new batch of deodorant every weekend!)

Finding the best deodorant is a struggle, but instead, you should find the more effective deodorant for your body.

Her Experience

Her Honest Thoughts

Can you share more about yourself?

A: Hello! I’m Rebecca! I'm a teacher. On my days off, I love the outdoors, adventure sports and spending quality time with friends and family! ♥️

What problems did you face before using our ,,deodorant?

A: Firstly, I didn’t like how the majority of roll-on deodorant found in stores has a ton of chemicals and ingredients that I’m unsure of. Is there really a need for so many chemicals?

Secondly, I also didn’t like how they were not sustainable and eco-friendly.

How did you find out about our brand?

A: I was keen on making the switch to a natural deodorant and wanted to support local so I combed through Instagram! It was not hard to find Smood! They are really popular in the environmentally friendly scene.

What do you like the most about our deodorant?

A: ) I love that it is homemade and that I can trust the owners to be ethical and stick to their promises.

Any tips to share with other customers?

A: As it is packaging-free, id highly recommend getting a box or some form of coverage so that you can bring it out with you and apply when necessary!

Thank you for sharing, @rebeccawienerr :)

If you wish to share your story, drop us a message!

Yes, that might be body odour coming from your child.

"Body odour at such a young age?" You might be wondering to yourself. Well, do not be surprised!

Everyone’s body is different and the start of puberty will vary accordingly. Puberty starts between the ages of 8 and 13 years in girls and 9 and 15 years in boys.

The First Step

I would highlight that the first few steps to take as a parent are to evaluate habits that might be causing them to have body odour. From there, you can look into the various tips we have to stop body odour before introducing your child to natural deodorant.

,Read more: Tips To Stop Body Odour

If you have evaluated the other factors and through an elimination process realised that they do not cause the body odour problem, then you can look towards using ,natural deodorant to solve the issue.

Tips To Remember

Always remember that deodorants help to get rid of one’s body odour from their sweat. Hence, your child will continue to sweat as usual.

There is no specific age at which a kid can start using natural deodorant. Since it is made of natural ingredients, there is no harm if they use it when they are young – as long as they have body odour.

After applying the natural deodorant on your children, do monitor the progress and give it a couple of days for your child’s body to adjust to the deodorant.

Do test the product on your child’s hand first to check if they are allergic to the ingredients. If they are not, then go ahead and apply it on their underarms!

These are 3 words that I believe any of us would never EVER wish to hear someone say to us.

Yes, everyone sweats. It is human nature. But, that awful smell that comes with some of us is a very sensitive and embarrassing matter.

It is also important to know that the cause of the smell is bacteria! Here are some tips to let you smell good and feel good.

1) Watch What You Eat

That saying of “You are what you eat” did not come for nothing. As your body absorbs what you consume, it is always important to take note of your diet.

You might not be aware but sometimes food such as onion or garlic come out through your pores whenever you sweat. Also, there is food that makes you sweat more such as chilli or hot peppers.

Monitor the food you are eating to identify which causes you to smell bad. Ensure that you consume them in moderation rather than cutting it out completely.

2) Use Natural Deodorant

Deodorants play a big part in helping you mask the smell of the odour causing bacteria.

It takes a journey to find the right deodorant. This is because everyone’s body is different and your reaction to our deodorant might be different than your friend. Do your research and be patient with the process.

Remember, once you find the ,deodorant for you, apply it at night for the most effective results!

3) Choose Clothes Wisely

Did you know that man-made fabrics such as polyester and spandex are the best environment for bacteria to thrive in? These are breeding grounds for bacteria!

By switching natural fibre like cotton, hemp, wool or linen, you can help to prevent the breeding of bacteria.

4) Dry Up

Whenever you sweat, remember to pay yourself completely dry. When your skin is dry, it is much more difficult for bacteria to form and breed on your skin.

With these tips, we cannot promise that you will smell like a bed of roses. But we do hope it will reduce your body odour and confidence!

Her Experience

Her Honest Thoughts

Can you share more about yourself?

A: I’m Nicolette! Life has pretty much been the same for me since this whole pandemic started, working from home, going for workouts at F45 and having good food like my fav zichar @sumkeefood!

What problems did you face before using our ,,deodorant?

A: I used to apply my normal roll-on deodorant you can get from the usual stores/brands on a daily basis to keep myself feeling fresh and clean (prevents perspiration) but I do feel that they may not be the best for my skin because of the chemicals and fragrances that they’ve inside.

I’ve also consulted a doctor before and he said that I should try out natural deodorants so it’ll be less harmful to the skin. So to be honest, I’ve been looking out but haven’t got a chance to purchase any because I was pretty reluctant to switch or try new brands!

How did you find out about our brand?

A: I first found out about Smood when one of my friends posted about it after she purchased it! I asked her about it and she shared positive reviews so I decided to try it for myself too!

I checked out the items and there was lavender!!!! & the prices were reasonable so there was really nothing stopping me!

What is your experience with our deodorant?

A: It’s been great so far! I ordered the twin lavender pack and have no regrets! They smell nice!

Though they’re not as easy to apply as roll-on deodorants, I’ve slowly gotten used to using the paper to hold onto the bar and rub it against the pits!

I love how it’s not ‘wet’ where I’ve to wait for it to try. It glides on smoothly and I feel fresh and clean after applying! I’ve even gone for my F45 workouts with them on and I still feel amazing after ✨

What do you like the most about our deodorant?

A: Lavender smells great! Love how it’s compact and easy to keep as well!

It’s a small business started out by two lovely sisters so it really makes me happier to support local biz!! Of course, the product is fantastic too!!!

Any tips to share with other customers?

A: If you’re thinking about trying smood, I’ll say, go for it! There really hasn’t been any regrets since I’ve purchased them. And what’s more, they’re really affordable!

Go for it and get natural deodorants!!

Thank you for sharing, @nicolettelovesyou :)

If you wish to share your story, drop us a message!

Also at the same time, for all makers, I believe there is a silver lining that came out from this pandemic.

It highlighted the importance of supporting your local economy. It highlighted the importance of being self-sufficient. It highlighted the risk that comes with globalisation.

Being a locally born business, it has been heartening to see the growing “support local” culture in Singapore. COVID-19 has pushed the importance of supporting local even further, with many businesses on the brink of closing down after many industries have been affected.

So, what does it mean when you support a local business?

Here it was it means to us:

1) Supporting What We Love

All businesses start with a purpose, passion and desire to make a small change.

Be it whether one is making soap, deodorant, clothes or a product, the reason why most of us start a business is because of a passion we hold dearly in our hearts.

By supporting us, you support what we love and the change we want to make in the world.

2) You Appreciate Our Workmanship

It was after I became a maker that I now have a stronger appreciated of handmade items.

I now know the time, effort, tears or even blood that goes into making that item. By purchasing from us, you are indirectly telling us, “Hey! I love what you are making and I appreciate the time and effort you spend to perfect your craft”.

We can happily say that the time and effort spent to make that item was put to good use!

3) Keeping Us Going

This applies financially and mentally. When you support us, not only do you keep us happy that we are appreciated, you might also be helping us buy our next meal ;)

4) Make Singapore Proud

COVID-19 reminded us of the importance of supporting the local economy and local brands.

For me, nowadays, I try to find out who is the person behind the brand.

Do not get me wrong, I am not saying that we should not support any overseas brand.

But rather, I think as Singaporeans, we should be proud of Singapore brands. We should support them as much as we can and allow them to grow and spread their brands to other countries as well. When you support a local brand, it gives them the possibility of growing and making a name in the world.

WIth national day coming up, I just want to give a shoutout to all local brands and makers! Also, at the same time, a big thank you to all those who support the local economy and keep Singaporean businesses going.