Your Questions About Natural Deodorant, Answered (2024)

FAQs

Is natural deodorant actually healthier for you? ›

"Some of the enthusiasm for natural deodorants seems to be driven by fears and myths that have been repeatedly debunked,” says Nabeeha Siddiqui, MD, a Cedars-Sinai primary care physician in Culver City. "You won't find any solid scientific or medical evidence showing these deodorants are better for you.”

It's known as a detox when switching to a natural deodorant. So, when making the switch, don't be surprised when your body will go into overdrive as it will want to release waste and sweat out the aluminum! The truth is, it's not that your natural deodorant isn't working, your body is working harder.

Some deodorant products are labeled as “natural,” but there's not a clear, standard definition of what that means, says University of San Francisco dermatologist Nina Botto. “Natural” could mean anything from use of only plant-derived ingredients to lack of aluminum compounds that can be absorbed through the skin.

You've found a natural deodorant that works well, but suddenly your pits are noticeably darker. This darkness is caused by melanin—and melanin is created by your body to protect skin that has been damaged or is suffering from prolonged irritation.

“Natural deodorant reduces the scent of the sweat, but does not reduce the amount of sweat the body produces,” Collins told Verywell. “So if your main concern is the appearance of sweat in the armpit area of your shirt, deodorant will be completely ineffective in reducing the dreaded armpit sweat marks.”

Your body odor is probably going to smell different, and potentially stronger, than what you're used to. That's because your body is simultaneously purging its sweat glands and recalibrating the balance of microscopic organisms that live on your skin. It's establishing a new normal.

Well, how long it takes for a natural deodorant to feel as though it is working differs from person to person. it can take up to 30-days for your body to learn to sweat naturally and regulate itself again. You should expect your armpits to smell a little pungent for the first couple of weeks.

While an armpit detox can help speed up the adjustment period you experience when switching to a natural deodorant, it's also a great way to rid your underarms of the chemicals that they've been exposed to through the years.

Do you sweat less with natural deodorant? ›

If you do switch, keep the following in mind: A natural deodorant will help with armpit odor, but not sweat. You may need to reapply natural deodorant after exercising, or throughout the day if you're a heavy sweater.

Baking soda creates an alkaline environment in your pits that inhibits bacteria. However, there is a downside. Baking soda can be harsh on the skin. It's fairly common to develop a rash when using deodorants that rely on baking soda.

Although dark underarms are usually harmless, they're worth getting checked out by a dermatologist — especially if you think you might have a condition like diabetes or an underactive thyroid gland. Treating the condition that caused it will usually make the dark skin fade.

“If you stop wearing deodorant or antiperspirant, you can develop a stronger odor over time,” Doyle said. “When you stop using (such products) and sweat more, this creates a breeding ground for bacterial and fungal overgrowth, which can cause odor to become stronger.”

According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, conventional antiperspirant deodorants are safe — so there's no need to worry or switch to a natural deodorant on account of your overall health. However, personal preference or ingredient sensitivity may lead you to consider switching to a natural deodorant.

“The type of antiperspirant or deodorant you use really comes down to personal preference,” says Dr. Ulupinar. “There's no medical reason to avoid using an aluminum-based product, but there's no reason not to use a natural deodorant if that's what you like.

The takeaway

No solid medical or scientific evidence supports the concept of armpit detoxing. It can cause irritation and negatively affect the natural bacteria balance on the skin. If a person wants to switch to a more natural deodorant, they can do so at any time, without needing any kind of “detox” first.