faq

How to Use

▼What is this stuff?

It's a natural deodorant paste made with minerals and plant derived ingredients. If the word 'paste' doesn't ring any bells, you could call it a putty or a balm. 

◄Why should I try it?

Where to start?? Because it works. Because your armpits deserve some love. Because life is too short to worry about body odour. Kiriwai deodorants are full of powerful natural ingredients. Some are there to stop B.O. in its tracks while others control wetness from sweat.

◄How do I apply it?

With your finger. Take a small amount, the size of a pea works for most people, from the container. Use your fingers to rub it in until it melts on your skin. Your armpits are packed full of lymph nodes and sweat glands. Think of it as a massage for them. It's designed to stick to the skin, but waiting a moment before getting dressed will minimise the chance of any transferring to your clothes.

◄How much do I need?

Not much at all. Most people need a pea sized amount on each armpit.

◄How long will a jar last me?

It's hard to give an exact answer because everybody is different. On average we find a jar lasts for between 2-3 months. 

◄Will it make me stop sweating?

No - only antiperspirants do this. Your body is designed to sweat. It's how your body regulates its temperature and assists the detoxification process. The idea of using something which stops this process scares us to bits. Natural deodorant allow you to sweat but it mops up the wetness

◄I'm a sweaty person. Will it work on me?

Yes. Kiriwai Natural Deodorants were created for every body. Kiriwai works for sweaty people, sensitive skin people and sweaty, sensitive skin people.

◄I'm switching from an antiperspirant. What should I expect?

Antiperspirants use aluminium compounds to temporarily block your sweat glands, stopping you from sweating. If you've been using them for years, then your body hasn't been able to properly process the sweat/toxins, and it might all come out in a rush. You may sweat/smell a bit more than usual. Some people transition seamlessly, while others may take up to 14 days. Go easy on alcohol, drink heaps of water and ramp up the greens to make it easier on your liver and kidneys.

◄I have a stressful life. Will Kiriwai work for me?

Yes. There are three main causes of sweat: physical activity, heat and stress. Stress sweat is the pits...literally. Stress sweat smells worse than other types of sweat. If you've got a stressful situation coming up, such as a big meeting, be prepared to sweat more than normal and put on a little extra deodorant.

◄Is it just for armpits?

It was designed for armpits, but we've had feedback from people who use it on their feet as a foot deodoriser. 

◄Can I apply it straight after shaving?

Yes!

Ingredients

◄What's all the fuss about Magnesium?

Magnesium is a macro mineral. It impacts nearly every system of the body. Transdermal Magnesium means to apply it topically, on the skin. Other forms of Magnesium are absorbed very quickly. Magnesium Hydroxide has low solubility, so won't wash away easily. It acts as a barrier.

◄Zinc Oxide is on the ingredient list. Isn't this for sunscreens? Is this non-nano?

Zinc Oxide is a common ingredient in sunscreens as it acts as a physical UV barrier. It is also great in deodorants. Sweat doesn't actually smell until it reacts with the bacteria on the skin. When this happens, short fatty acids are created. Zinc Oxide reacts with the SFAs and converts them to odour-less Zinc salts, neutralising odour rather than allowing the creation of the molecules which make body odour. Yes, the Zinc Oxide used is non-nano so it cannot be absorbed. Instead it acts as a barrier on the skin.

◄Isn't Activated Charcoal black? Will it stain my skin?

AC is black, but because it is such a powerful ingredient, a relatively small amount is included. The final colour of the paste is a light grey. As you massage it in, it absorbs into your skin.

◄I'm allergic/sensitive to Baking Soda. Does the deodorant contain Baking Soda?

There is no Baking Soda in Kiriwai Deodorants.

◄How do you fragrance the Deodorants?

Only pure Essential oils are used to fragrance Kiriwai Natural Deodorants and the total percentage used is under 1%.

◄What is Litsea... and how do I say it?

Its full name is Litsea Cubeba. It's also known as May Chang. You pronounce it Lit-see-ah Koo-bey-ba. It's a tree from South East Asia. Its oil has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries. At Kiriwai, it's used for its beautiful scent and because, when used topically, it is reputed to reduce perspiration.

◄There are a couple of white dots in my jar. What are these?

Kiriwai Natural Deodorants are mixed by hand, in small batches. The little white dots are just the powdered ingredients that haven't completely mixed in. They will dissolve against your skin as you apply it.

◄Does the deodorant contain Aluminium, Triclosan, Propylene Glycol, Parabens, Steareths, artificial fragrances or any other nasty toxic ingredients?

NO. Definitely not. Nothing toxic is allowed into Kiriwai deodorants.

◄How can I find out more about your ingredients?

Fair enough. If you'd like to know more about the ingredients used, please click here.

General

◄I'm pregnant/breast feeding. Can I use this deodorant?

The simple answer is yes. You can definitely use the 'Naturally Unscented' deodorant as it contains no essential oils. With the scented varieties, have a talk to your midwife/doctor and decide what's best for you. Essential oils make up less than 1% of the total ingredients. 

◄Do you test on animals?

No, the only guinea pigs we use are human ones.

◄Are your products vegan-friendly?

Yes, Kiriwai Deodorants contain only vegan ingredients. We leave the beeswax to the bees, and use wax taken from the Candelilla shrub.

◄What material are your jars made out of?

Kiriwai Natural Deodorants come in recyclable glass jars. Please recycle or even reuse them after you've finished with them. They're handy little storage containers for around the house.

& the Admin

◄Do your prices include GST?

Yes, all prices listed on the website include 15% GST (NZ's Goods and Service Tax). 

◄I hate getting to the checkout and getting stung with big delivery costs. How much do you charge for postage within NZ?

Delivery is free (to non Rural addresses) in NZ, as long as you spend $18 or more.
Delivery to Rural addresses is $4
Delivery for 'petite parcels' (under $18 in value) is $3

◄Which courier company do you use?

All NZ deliveries are sent through GoSweetSpot. When your order is packed, you'll receive an email with a tracking number. This tracking number will activate when the courier collects the parcel from Kiriwai HQ. You can then track your parcel all the way to your front door. 

◄I'm overseas. Will you ship to me?

Yes, definitely. Please see the 'Delivery' page for more details.

◄I'm not a big fan of single use plastic. What will my order arrive in?

We hear you loud and clear. We get so frustrated when we order something online and our purchases turn up in plastic satchels. We've done some research and found a padded cardboard envelope. It's got a heavy duty exterior and the padding is 100% recycled material. This means your glass jar will arrive safely and you can easily compost/recycle/reuse it afterwards.

If you've still got a question, drop us a message here or email hello@kiriwai.com