Questions.

Does natural deodorant actually work?

Yes — when the formula is right. North West South deodorants use magnesium hydroxide to help control odor by raising skin pH. They don't block sweat glands the way aluminum-based antiperspirants do, but they control odor effectively for most people. There's typically a 1–2 week adjustment period when switching from conventional deodorant while your body recalibrates.

What's the difference between natural deodorant and antiperspirant?

Antiperspirants use aluminum compounds to physically block sweat glands, stopping sweat from reaching the skin surface. Natural deodorants don't block sweat — they help control odor. Sweat itself is odorless; odor is caused by bacteria breaking down sweat on the skin's surface. Magnesium hydroxide helps manage odor without plugging your pores.

Why magnesium hydroxide instead of baking soda?

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is effective at odor control but commonly causes skin irritation — it's highly alkaline and can disrupt the skin barrier, especially in the armpit. Magnesium hydroxide achieves the same pH-raising mechanism but is gentler, making it suitable for sensitive skin. All NWS deodorants are baking-soda-free.

Is tallow good for skin?

Beef tallow has a fatty acid profile similar to human sebum — roughly 50% oleic acid and 25% palmitic acid — which is why it absorbs well and doesn't sit on the skin surface. Grass-fed tallow contains fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. It's one of the oldest skincare ingredients used across cultures, and has seen a resurgence among people looking for minimal-ingredient moisturizers without synthetic additives.

What does "grass-fed" mean for tallow skincare?

Grass-fed beef tallow comes from cattle that graze on pasture rather than grain. Grass-fed tallow contains higher levels of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and fat-soluble vitamins compared to grain-fed. For skincare, this means a more nutrient-dense base ingredient. NWS Restore uses 72% grass-fed beef tallow as its primary ingredient.

Are NWS products natural and organic?

All NWS products are made from natural ingredients — no synthetic polymers, PEGs, parabens, sulfates, silicones, or synthetic fragrances. Individual ingredients vary: the tallow is grass-fed, the honey is raw, the essential oils are cold-pressed or steam-distilled from real plant sources. Not all ingredients are certified organic, but none are synthetic. Full ingredient percentages are listed on every product.

Are NWS products suitable for sensitive skin?

Yes. The deodorant formulas are baking-soda-free and fragrance-free options are available (Breathe — Unscented). The tallow face cream contains no synthetic fragrances, dyes, or preservatives. The hair products contain no sulfates or synthetic polymers. If you have specific allergies, the full ingredient list with percentages is printed on every product.

What's in NWS natural deodorant?

The base formula across all three deodorants uses coconut-derived oil (for glide), arrowroot powder (moisture absorption), magnesium hydroxide (odor neutralization), and sunflower seed wax (structure). Scented variants add a single essential oil — bergamot peel oil in Begin, cedarwood bark oil in Ground. Breathe (unscented) uses mango butter in place of the essential oil percentage.

How is tallow face cream different from regular moisturizer?

Most conventional moisturizers are water-based emulsions that require emulsifiers, preservatives, and stabilizers to stay shelf-stable. Restore is anhydrous (water-free) — it's a blend of tallow, honey, jojoba oil, beeswax, and vitamin E. No water means no need for synthetic preservatives. It provides occlusive moisture (seals in hydration) and emollient moisture (softens skin) simultaneously.

Where are NWS products made?

North West South products are formulated and made in New Zealand.