Deodorant FAQ

One would think I was some kind of armpit fanatic with all of the deodorant-related posts there are to be found on this blog – so many that there is an entire section on deodorant under Topics.

There is a reason for all of this deodorant talk.

It's you.

On any given day, approximately 1000 of you find your way to this post about baking soda deodorant and/or this post about why DIY baking soda deodorant can cause a skin reaction. The combination of 'baking soda',  'deodorant', and 'rash' is a disturbingly common theme in the searchwords that this blog's stats show. And the number of deodorant-information-seeking visitors just keeps growing.

So this is for you – a collection of your questions about deodorant and deodorant-related problems. I hope you find it helpful. And if after reading this you still have a question, please feel free to add it in the comments below. I promise I'll do my best to answer you and add it to this list.

COMMERCIAL DEODORANT

 Are commercial deodorants dangerous - do they contain toxins?

No. Commercial deodorants are not dangerous and do not contain toxins.

But what about ingredients that are suddenly discovered to be a health risk?

If any ingredient is found questionable as a possible health risk, it is thoroughly tested and the product is either reformulated or taken off market. Testing is done by neutral, professional organizations that have no other interest than to discover whether or not the ingredient can be pronounced safe.

But isn't it true that mistakes are made and some people do get hurt because of it?

Yes, mistakes happen, but they are very few and far between. The cosmetics regulatory systems are set up to ensure that only safe ingredients are used for any personal care product. Regardless of what scaremongers would have you believe, there isn't a cosmetics company on the planet looking to create health or environmental problems as a result of their products being produced or used.

ALLERGIES  AND PERFUMES IN DEODORANTS

Are there ingredients in commercial deodorants that people react to?

There can be. It's comparative to food. Some people can 'eat anything' without issue while others may have allergies to certain foods. A commercial deodorant (or other cosmetic) may contain ingredients some are allergic to. For example, some perfume components are listed as possible allergens.

So, perfumes can cause allergies?

With prolonged exposure, some perfume components might contribute towards creating an allergic reaction. However, this is an incredibly complicated issue!  Perfumes are made of up many many different components. It is nearly impossible to determine whether a reaction is due to
- a single component,
- a particular combination of components in a particular perfume
- a mix of perfume components and other ingredients in the product
- a combination of ingredients in the product with any consumed ingredients

So, how can I stay away from ingredients that cause allergies?

'Less is more' is a good guideline. Start by cutting some of the unknowns out of the equation by choosing perfume-free deodorant. You can also shop for deodorants (and other products) that are certified allergen-free.

DEODORANT AND ALUMINIUM 

Can aluminium in deodorant can cause cancer or other health issues?

Aluminium chlorohydrate and Aluminium zirconium tetrachlorohydrate gly – commonly found in deodorants – do not cause cancer, alzheimers, or anything else. There is no factual, tested, or documented evidence of any kind that aluminum salts in deodorant are dangerous. Read more about aluminum and deodorant here.

But doesn't the aluminium in deodorant accumulate in the body over time?

There is no evidence of this. Aluminium is the third most abundant mineral on earth and we are exposed to it through food, water, and numerous other ways. As for the aluminum in deodorant: even if you use a deodorant with aluminum every single day of your life, you would still be getting less aluminum from your deodorant than you are otherwise getting naturally from your food and water.

How do aluminium salts work?

Aluminium salts work by reacting with the electrolytes in sweat and forming a gel-like substance that plugs the duct of the sweat gland. The natural sloughing off of skin cells removes the plug again.

ALTERNATIVE DEODORANT SOLUTIONS

I prefer using an alternative to commercial deodorant. What do you suggest?

Try natural deodorant crystals (also called deodorant stone). The INCI name for this is potassium alum. It is safe and effective as a deodorant (and is also used for stopping bleeding from shaving cuts), but it does not function as an antiperspirant.

How do I use a deodorant stone (potassium alum)?

Wet the stone, then apply to clean armpits as if it were a roll-on. It doesn't feel like you are really applying anything, but you are. Be patient when applying and use plenty of water so the stone doesn't 'drag'. My experience has been: the more you apply, the longer the effect. There is a post that explains more right here.

Is there an effective DIY deodorant solution?

Yes and no. If your definition of effective is 24 hour protection with no skin rash or irritation, then the answer is no. If you are one of the few who can tolerate prolonged exposure to sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) without getting a skin reaction, then maybe the answer is yes (some people can use a baking soda deodorant for a very long time before having a reaction to it).

What if I don't want to use anything I can't pronounce or that sounds even remotely 'chemical'?

You can try making a DIY clay-based deodorant. Depending on how much you perspire, this deodorant will work anywhere from 3-9 hours. Find the formula and a step by step here. And please remember: even pronounceable ingredients are chemical.

DIY BAKING SODA DEODORANT

Is it true you have to go through a detox period when you switch to a 'natural' (baking soda) deodorant?

No. This is absolute hogwash. The so-called detox period is usually described as consisting of rash, redness, itchiness, and irritation in the armpits. These are the exact symptoms described in the safety data sheet for baking soda with prolonged exposure to the skin. If you are experiencing a rash from using DIY baking soda deodorant, you are most definitely NOT detoxing from commercial deodorant - you are reacting to the baking soda.

I have a rash from using a DIY baking soda deodorant. How do I treat it?

First: stop using baking soda deodorant immediately. Get your doctor to look at the rash. If you can't get to a doctor right away, you may relieve some of the irritation by misting with pure aloe vera or applying a pure aloe vera gel. Rushing to the doctor may sound like overkill, but I've had some folks write me with very serious reactions that needed immediate medical attention. If you are in even the slightest doubt – see your doctor.

Isn't it a very small minority of people who get rash or irritation from baking soda deodorant?

Please visit this post for an 'almost poll' on how many people get reactions to baking soda deodorant.

How can you be sure the rash I have is from the baking soda?

I can't be 100% certain. However, I can tell you I have spent a serious amount of time researching DIY baking soda deodorant. Every single one of the DIY baking soda deodorant recipes I have seen calls for a ridiculously high amount of baking soda. Not a single one of the recipes I have seen has any added ingredient to adjust the pH to a skin-friendly level. The fact of the matter is: baking soda is not made for prolonged direct contact with skin and it will cause a rash and discomfort in most people. It is more than likely that if you have been using a DIY baking soda deodorant, then it is the baking soda that is causing the reaction.

What's the normal pH of baking soda?

Normal pH of baking soda is between 8 - 8.5

What's skin-friendly pH?

Skin-friendly pH is between 4.5 - 5.0. Many skin care products are largely within the range of 4.5 - 5.5. 

How do I adjust the pH?

An acidic ingredient (citric acid, etc) that will lower the pH of the entire mixture needs to be introduced to the product. As DIY baking soda deodorants are anhydrous (water-free), you can't introduce any liquids to the mix without also having to add preservatives. In short: there isn't a quick & easy DIY way to do this.

Can't I just swipe my underarms with some apple cider vinegar to balance the pH?

I have heard from over 400.000 people who have experienced skin reactions from baking soda deodorant (yes, you read correctly: over four hundred thousand). Among these, there hasn't been a single person who has had luck counteracting the effects of baking soda by adding apple cider vinegar to the equation. If you have had luck with this method, please do leave a comment!

Can't I just use less baking soda in my DIY deodorant?

If you have already experienced a reaction to the baking soda, you may still experience irritation even by lowering the amount. If you want to try it anyway, lower the amount of baking soda to UNDER 1% of the product.

 

My question isn't here!

If you have a question that isn't covered, please feel free to leave a comment or write me a mail (contact info on the sidebar) and I'll do my best to answer you and add your question to this list.