Super excited to switch to a natural deodorant only to come up with a rash in your pit? You’re not alone. This is one of the most common questions people ask me about after they switch. Like anything new, there is an adjustment period. But, you do have some things to look forward to! Less sweat, stink gone, & no pit stains on your t-shirts to name a few. If you’re switching and get an armpit rash, here are some possible causes and what you can do about it.
1. Offensive Ingredients
Although a natural deodorant leads you to believe that you have a ‘clean’ deodorant, there can be some deceptive ingredients still in your deodorant that can cause irritation. Parfum, fragrance, and natural fragrance can all cause discomfort. Fragrance is one ingredient that can hide 100s of other ingredients – and it’s perfectly legally. The FDA allows proprietary blends to be kept a secret, so companies aren’t legally required to tell you what’s in it. For me personally, this can be a red flag.
Although not as offensive, some people may not handle certain essential oils well on the skin. A review conducted showed that tea tree and ylang ylang essential oils are the most common offenders. If you know you’re prone to sensitive skin issues, it might be best to start off with an unscented natural deodorant.
2. Baking Soda
Depending on your skin microbiome (the bacteria that normally hangs out on your skin), baking soda could also be the culprit. It’s used in natural deodorants because of it’s ability to absorb and block BO (body odor). Baking soda is alkaline (the opposite would be acidic) in nature, which doesn’t flow well with some people’s micobiome or if the top skin layer is damaged. This can cause an armpit rash. Baking soda can also cause friction in the armpit if there’s too much of it in a deodorant, damaging the top layer of skin that way too.
Protect that top layer of skin. Use non-abrasive products under your armpits, do not shave if there’s any irritation, and allow rashes to heal before trying to put any products (including your new deodorant!) on it. Try using a soothing spray with aloe, witch hazel, &/or organic hydrosols in your armpits until the rash subsides.
3. Friction
Have you ever been outside in a cut off on a humid day and noticed your pits got irritated? I know I have! This is from friction of your skin rubbing against salt from your sweat. Or, maybe you got a bit of razor burn from shaving. When this occurs, your top layer of skin can get damaged and be more susceptible to irritants like bacteria, moisture, and heat. You’re left with dry, raw, and sometimes itchy or painful arm pits.
Some ways to help prevent & soothe this rash are:
- Use a soothing spray
- Cleanse your pits with a non-irritating soap
- Use a powder to help absorb moisture and create a barrier
Tips for Using a Natural Deodorant
- When I put on my deodorant each morning, I don’t use a lot, just a swipe or two, then I brush my teeth and wash my face before putting on my shirt. This helps allow your body’s natural heat to warm up the deodorant, melt it, and gives it time to absorb in your skin.
- If you’ve been using conventional deodorants & ant-perspirants for awhile, you may need to support the skin in cleaning itself up and “detoxing”. Using a charcoal bar on your armpits can help this process. You can read my post about that here.
- Eliminate refined and processed foods!! Your body will thank you in feeling (and smelling) better. 😉
- Give yourself time. It’s not an overnight process. It’ll take awhile for your body to adjust. Be patient with the process and don’t go back to your old deodorant.
Wanna know which deodorants we use? We love this brand.
Don’t forget to save this for later so you can reference back to it if you’re making the switch and experience a deodorant rash! Save it to Pinterest or spread the love by sharing it with a friend!
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