Our ingredients: why Smelly Men products smell better, naturally.
Our Ingredients
Here's a run down of the ingredients we use in our products, why they're beneficial - and let's face it much better than putting awful artificial chemicals on your body!
We've included the INCI name as this is the internationally recognised terminology that makes it easier to compare ingredients across different languages.
If you have any questions about what we use in our products please get in touch. We want all our customers to feel confident in what they're putting on their skin. We'll do our best to answer your queries.
Essential Oils
Ingredient name |
Benefits in Soap/Deodorant |
INCI (Latin Name) |
Lemongrass Essential Oil
|
Bright, lemony aroma with natural antibacterial properties that help fight odor-causing bacteria and refresh the skin. |
Cymbopogon citratus |
Rosemary Essential Oil |
Herbal, invigorating scent that can clarify and purify – known to reduce microbes on the skin (helping combat acne and odor) and even stimulate circulation for a fresh feel. |
Rosmarinus officinalis |
Bergamot Essential Oil |
Uplifting citrus fragrance that naturally deodorizes – its sweet-tart scent masks odours and its compounds have mild antiseptic effects en.wikipedia.org. (Note: Avoid sun after use, as bergamot can increase sun sensitivity.) |
Citrus aurantium bergamia |
Sandalwood Essential Oil |
Soft, woody aroma that brings a sense of calm. In soap it lends a creamy richness, and its anti-inflammatory, soothing properties help comfort irritated skin. |
Santalum album |
Patchouli Essential Oil |
Deep, earthy scent that lingers on the skin – ideal for natural deodorants. Its aroma not only masks odor but has been used for centuries as an insect-repelling and antifungal agent in perfumes and soaps en.wikipedia.org. |
Pogostemon cablin |
Lavender Essential Oil |
Gentle floral aroma famed for its calming effects. In soaps and deodorants it soothes the skin and was even used as a cleansing antiseptic in pre-modern medicine, helping to keep skin fresh and clean. |
Lavandula angustifolia |
Cedarwood Essential Oil |
Warm, woodsy scent that gives a grounding freshness. Cedarwood’s natural antibacterial power makes it popular in deodorants, helping to inhibit odor-causing bacteria while its aroma comforts and relaxes. |
Cedrus atlantica |
Frankincense Essential Oil |
Rich, resinous aroma (often called the “king of oils”) that adds a luxurious touch. It helps soothe inflammation and irritation on the skin, and its spicy-earthy scent can deodorize gently while promoting a calm mood. |
Boswellia carterii |
Bay Leaf Essential Oil |
Spicy herbal scent with cleansing properties. Traditionally, bay leaf (laurel) oil has been used as an astringent and antiseptic – it tones and cleans the skin (the classic Aleppo soap is laurel-rich). In deodorant, it offers a warm, spicy freshness. |
Laurus nobilis |
Black Spruce Essential Oil |
Crisp forest fragrance that invigorates the senses. Black spruce’s evergreen aroma can help clear the mind and ease tension – in deodorants or soaps it brings a fresh outdoorsy feeling and mild soothing qualities to the skin. |
Picea mariana |
Pine Needle Essential Oil |
Refreshing pine scent that signals “clean.” Pine needle oil is a natural disinfectant and deodorizer – its terpenes have proven antimicrobial effects aromaweb.com, helping to cleanse the skin and neutralize odors. It’s like a breath of mountain air in your shower. |
Pinus sylvestris |
Fir Needle Essential Oil |
Woodsy and uplifting, fir needle oil (e.g. Siberian fir) has a green scent that can calm and centre you. Often used to create a relaxing atmosphere doterra.com, it also provides gentle antimicrobial benefits similar to pine – great for a clean, soothing wash. |
Abies sibirica l |
Lime Essential Oil |
Zesty and energetic citrus scent that cuts through odors with ease. Lime oil’s natural compounds act as an antibacterial agent, making it effective at killing odor-causing bacterial gbotanicals.com while its juicy fragrance brightens up any soap or deodorant blend. |
Citrus aurantifolia |
Sweet Orange Essential Oil |
Cheerful, sweet citrus aroma that can uplift your mood. In soaps and deodorants it offers a gentle antiseptic cleanse and a burst of freshness – helping to refresh skin with a mild, skin-friendly touch (orange oil is less harsh than some other citrus oils). |
Citrus aurantium dulcis |
Clays & Powders
Ingredient |
Benefits in Soap/Deodorant |
INCI (Latin Name) |
White Kaolin Clay |
A very gentle clay that purifies without irritating. Kaolin clay absorbs impurities and excess oils from the skin, helping detoxify and mattify (even for sensitive skin) eneomey.com. In deodorant, it can help keep you dry by lightly absorbing sweat while being kinder to skin than stronger clays. |
Kaolin |
Charcoal Powder |
Activated charcoal is a powerhouse detoxifier – its highly porous structure binds toxins and odors, lifting them away from the skin doctorkatta.com. In soap, charcoal gives a deep cleanse (great for oily or acne-prone skin), and in deodorant it helps neutralize odor and absorb sweat naturally, leaving you feeling fresh. |
Charcoal Powder |
Arrowroot Powder |
A silky plant powder that keeps you comfortably dry. Arrowroot powder excels at absorbing excess moisture (sweat) aurelianatural.com, which is why it’s a cornerstone of natural deodorants. It helps prevent that sticky feeling by keeping underarms dry and smooth, all with a soft, invisible finish. |
Maranta arundinacea |
Magnesium Hydroxide |
Magnesium hydroxide in deodorant acts as a natural, effective odor-fighting agent by adjusting the skin's pH to a more alkaline level, which inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria. Unlike aluminum-based antiperspirants, it allows for natural sweat while neutralizing odor. Additionally, it can help absorb moisture and keep the underarms dry |
Magnesium Hydroxide |
Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda) |
A natural deodorizer that tackles underarm odour by neutralizing acids and making the environment less friendly to bacteria healthline.com. In a deodorant, a touch of baking soda can dramatically cut down odor, keeping you smelling fresh. (It also gives soap a mild effervescent cleansing effect, though in soap it’s used sparingly to avoid over-alkalinity.) |
Sodium Bicarbonate |
Butters and oils
Ingredient name |
Benefits in Soap/Deodorant |
INCI (Latin Name) |
Shea Butter |
Ultra-rich moisturizer that leaves skin supple and nourished. Shea butter is packed with fatty acids and vitamins – it softens dry, rough skin and even has anti-inflammatory properties to calm irritation webmd.com. In soap, it creates a creamy, conditioning lather that protects skin’s moisture. |
Butyrospermum parkii |
Coconut Oil
|
A cleansing and hydrating oil that contributes to a bubbly lather in soaps. Coconut oil is naturally antimicrobial and helps boost the moisture content of skin healthline.com – it can even aid wound healing and tame inflammation. In deodorant, it helps fight odor (thanks to lauric acid’s antibacterial effect) while soothing the skin. |
Cocos nucifera |
Sweet Almond Oil |
Light and gentle oil that absorbs easily, leaving a silky feel. Long used to soothe the skin, almond oil helps to heal minor cuts and dryness healthline.com. It’s rich in vitamin E, making it great for nourishing sensitive skin in soaps, and it won’t clog pores – perfect for keeping underarms soft and balanced. |
Prunus amygdalus dulcis |