Increased sweating, the more documented ‘night sweats’ and hot flashes, plus distinct changes in body odour can be a troubling symptom set for many of us in menopause.
And many of us will have our own hacks and coping strategies. We’ve been watching, with interest, the quiet revolution taking place in the natural deodorant space. And AKT has emerged as a brand loved by women in midlife for its natural, sustainable credentials and its clever approach to addressing sweat, wherever it appears.
So, we were delighted to have the opportunity to speak to Ed Currie and Andy Coxon, former London West End performers and founders of the brand. In this conversation, we chat about what inspired them to create AKT and how they now aim to inspire others.
With love, the MPowder Team.
First, tell us a little about your backgrounds prior to creating AKT London?
We were both actors in London’s West End. We both trained as dancers, actors and singers, and had careers in musicals and we first met when we were in a show together in 2015. We were working on Beautiful, the Carol King musical at the Aldwych Theatre. But our performing background is what ultimately led us to our career in deodorant... because performing 24/7 left us sweaty and smelly!
What was the inspiration behind AKT?
Ed always knew that sweat was an issue for him. He would get so embarrassed going to restaurants or meeting friends in case he would sweat and smell or create those horrible, claggy yellow stains on his T-shirts from antiperspirants.
As well as this, with gruelling schedules and endless physical exercise under hot lights on stage in the West End, we were constantly on the search for a deodorant which would work for both of us. But nothing covered our sweat patches, or the inevitable smell of sweat when we were performing - typical deodorants and antiperspirants just weren’t cutting it. Nothing worked for us and we literally tried everything! So, we decided to create one ourselves.
We spent the next three years researching, developing, and formulating, collaborating with leading experts in fragrance and cosmetic science with exacting standards and a whole heap of creativity. The Deodorant Balm was literally “Born to Perform!”
Why is sustainability and inclusivity an important aspect to the brand?
We are proud to have developed plastic-free packaging suitable for modern living. The Deodorant Balm is packaged in aluminium tubes ideal for their durability, portability and recyclability. Aluminium can forever be recycled without losing any quality. But plastic caps that usually accompany aluminium tubes can’t. In response we created bespoke aluminium caps to prevent more plastic entering our ecosystem. The only compromise is that our caps can’t pierce the seal, but simply find something sharp (a pen is ideal) and you’re good to go.
We created our Scenes (fragrances) without gender in mind.
People are over “extreme sport” for men and “soft linen” for women!
Sweating is a universal problem. So we created bespoke, premium fragrances inspired by some of our happiest memories in the natural world.
How does The Deodorant Balm set itself apart from all of the other natural deodorant options out there?
When developing our formula, the goal was to create something safe and natural that performed incredibly on the skin. Which is harder than you’d think.
Instead of using complicated chemicals or ingredients you’ve never heard of, our formula “innovation” actually relies on active botanicals and natural ingredients that have been traditionally used for centuries.
AKT Deodorant Balms are made without parabens, aluminium or other synthetic ingredients. We don’t use any “fillers” in our fragrances, which means we had to meticulously test countless scent formulations before landing on the perfect versions of our three signature scenes. A process that continues to keep us on our toes!
You may also be wondering why we’ve chosen to create a balm vs. something more “traditional” like a spray or stick.
The cream based texture of our Deodorant Balm makes it more like a premium skincare product than a traditional deodorant. The balms can be gently rubbed on with your fingers or applied with our gua-sha inspired applicator tool, giving you a brief moment of self-care before you start your day. Though it takes some getting used to (we promise, it’s only a day or two), we’ve found that people enjoy adding this mini ritual to their morning routine.
Plus, our balm is multi-use. It’s safe and effective anywhere else you may need protection, including your feet, forehead or chest.
We really believe that a better deodorant can change your life. But don’t just take our word for it, look no further than over 3000 5* reviews on our website! (Editors note: MPowder customers can get 15% off* too! See below!)
How can AKT help women during their natural transition through menopause?
While a lot of people may associate menopause as the end of an era, we believe it to be the start of a new beginning. And whilst we strongly believe this natural transition should be celebrated, it can present many challenges which women find hard to manage.
We know that decreased levels of oestrogen can result in physical changes such as hot flushes and increased amounts of sweating for many. These natural shifts may lead to body odours that may smell stronger than usual. It could mean that the deodorant you've used for years, even decades, may no longer work, making you more self-conscious, which can be uncomfortable to deal with and may affect confidence levels when going about your day to day tasks.
AKT’s award-winning and high-performing formula helps to control these odors associated with menopause and our ever-changing bodies, and due to its natural and vegan formula, you can safely use it anywhere you sweat!
How does AKT hope to inspire their customers?
Although the brand was inspired by the theatre, performing for us isn’t confined to just a West End stage.
For us, a stage represents a place where we can be our true authentic selves. Whether that be in the workplace, at the gym or even before a night out with friends.
We want AKT to be the natural deodorant that can give you the confidence to step on your stage, wherever that may be, and PERFORM!
The AKT team has generously gifted the MPowder community a discount off single product purchases. Simply use the code AKTXMPOWDER15 at checkout to redeem your 15% off*.
And, to find out more about AKT and its product range, follow them on Instagram @akt_ldn or email them with any questions you may have - email: info@aktlondon.com.
*Discount is not valid on subscriptions, product sets, or in conjunction with any other offer. Offer is only valid on single item purchases. Code is limited to one use per customer.
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