We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: deodorant is one of those essential products that needs to work! (No gal wants to clear a room because her well-intentioned, natural deo was a bust.) As you may have seen in our last post, we were very happy to discover that Schmidt’s Deodorant is one of those go-to, dependable products for everyone interested in using a healthy, natural option.
That’s why we were psyched to ask Jaime Schmidt, founder of Schmidt’s Deodorant, some questions about the natural deodorant biz and the Schmidt’s process. Read on to hear from Jaime, the natural deo master herself: she discusses her process for selecting scents, the future of the natural deo industry, and a bunch more.
Schmidt’s Deodorant has truly glowing reviews. What makes your formula stand out among other natural deodorants? How did you develop it?
Thanks! There are a few things that stand out about the formula. First is the ingredients and their sourcing: we use only the highest quality ingredients available. Then there is the production, which not only requires a specific combination of ingredients, but a very careful and “secret” process that gives us the great consistency and hand feel we’re looking for. This took over two years of R&D for us to get it exactly right. Of course, we put a great deal of effort towards our packaging as well: we want to ensure a positive, new kind of experience with deodorant.
Let’s talk about the “science of smell” and how your ingredients like baking soda and natural plant powders absorb wetness and fight odor. How does that work?
One key is to allow for the body’s natural process of perspiration – we don’t include chemical ingredients like other deodorant brands that are designed to keep you from sweating – rather, we use plant-based powders and top-quality baking soda to absorb the wetness if you do sweat.
These ingredients you mentioned, and more, help to balance our body’s natural odor in a more health-conscious way.
Can you give us a behind the scenes look into Schmidt’s HQ? How are your products mixed up and packaged, and what’s the culture like?
Great question! Our warehouse and office are based in Portland, OR, where our staff manufactures, packages, and ships the deodorant all over the globe. We have a tight knit team dedicated to Schmidt’s around the clock. I’m happy to say we have a fun, efficient, and happy workplace – there’s a lot of positive energy behind the scenes at Schmidt’s. With all the amazing food and parks in our neighborhood, there’s plenty to keep us occupied during our time off. I wish everyone could glimpse inside our world and meet the friendly faces responsible for putting together their deodorant!
What’s your process for selecting scents? What inspires you?
I’ve always been interested in fragrance and perfumery from a young age. Then, as I became older and aware of natural ingredients and the abundance of scents available in the natural world, I aimed to create blends that were reminiscent of high-end luxury scents but utilized only natural ingredients that can be responsibly sourced. I have a very sensitive nose, and people often remark to me, “How did you smell that from so far away?” Haha, I guess it’s just one of those things I was born for.
Natural deodorant is experiencing a bit of a renaissance right now – how do you think this will affect the deodorant industry in general? Do you expect major drugstore brands to start creating natural alternatives? Do you think traditional antiperspirants and deodorants with harmful chemicals will soon be a thing of the past?
People are looking for alternatives to the conventional deodorant format – it’s often unpleasant and leaves a sticky feel.
Consumers, more than ever, are paying attention to the potential health impacts of body care products. It’s not so strange to think we’ve been getting it wrong all these years, right? And now with all the science and technology at our hands, you would think we would have progressed beyond it by now.
However, natural deodorants have had trouble breaking into the market because of their history of being ineffective – the formula and application is very tricky to get right. The market for natural alternatives will continue to progress, and I assume we’ll be seeing more of the household name brands coming out with natural alternatives.
What’s next for Schmidt’s? Can you give us in the inside scoop on new scents or products coming out?
We’re always paying attention and listening to what our customers are saying – our ultimate goal is to grow with their needs. However, it’s critical that every product sold under the Schmidt’s name be adequately researched and tested before jumping into market. I can say there are exciting developments that have been in the works for some time now….stay tuned!
Check out our full review of Schmidt’s Deo over here!