5 Ways to See if You're [Really] Sensitive to Baking Soda in Natural Deodorant

Let's break down these myths that proliferate the natural deodorant market. I get asked all the time by newbies if they will go through a nasty, stinky detox process when they make the switch. Sure, this is true that when you start using natural deodorant for the first time, your pits may need some time to adjust. Just like any big life change – give your body time to grieve the loss of conventional anti-perspirant (btw what plant in our universe grew the “shower fresh scent” that you’ve used for years?) but then, it’s time to move on and get ready for even better things to come – no smell, less sweat and safe ingredients that really work through your hot sweaty workout or yoga practice. 

This adjustment period (aka detox phase) can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks and, in some cases, can come with a few irritating side effects. If you’ve experienced an underarm rash or irritation from natural deodorant, here’s some reasons why and 3 easy steps to fix it. 

Now that you’ve switched from an antiperspirant that stops your sweat glands from actually doing what they’re supposed to do (that is, sweat!), you’ll most likely start to feel a bit more sweaty. Remember, that’s a GOOD thing since sweating helps to expel toxins + regulate our body temperature. And once your body becomes acclimated to natural deodorant, you’ll find you actually sweat even less! But the excess perspiration can potentially get trapped in your pits and cause itchiness, inflammation or irritation.

Thankfully, there are a few simple solutions. Everyday (especially in the heat of the summer, after a hard workout or a seriously stressful day) it’s important to make sure you properly cleanse your pits to keep skin clear of trapped sweat and bacteria buildup. Be sure to use a natural soap that effectively cleanses, but avoid triclosan (anti-bacterial) soaps and synthetic fragrances too. Then apply natural deodorant to your pits, apply coordinating body butter that matches with your deodorant, and finally spritz our Sensual Kisses Body Spray after showering (and throughout the day as a refresher!) to keep your body smelling fresh with natural essential oils of lavender and vanilla. 

Baking soda may be to blame because of its alkaline pH. If there’s too much baking soda in a deodorant, it can feel abrasive and possibly cause a reaction. Our expertly formulated natural deodorant contains just the right amount of odour-blocking baking soda to help prevent BO while protecting sensitive skin. Plus, our formula is fortified with skin-soothing + detoxifying ingredients such as kaolin clay, arrowroot, and corn starch to soak up all that sweat and reduce the bacteria that causes nasty BO to start in the first place.

Still suffering from baking soda sensitivities? You may be extra sensitive to baking soda if your skin’s protective outer layer, the acid mantle (aka moisture barrier), has been impaired. One culprit could be your other body products such as liquid body wash. Take a look at the bottle in your shower – is your skin being stripped with harsh sulfates (SLS) and cleansing chemicals? Washing your skin with these kinds of ingredients on the daily can break down your acid mantle, making your skin even more vulnerable to irritation.  Opt for SLS and fragrance free products instead like a good handcrafted bar of natural soap. My personal fave is from Moyaa Shea Butter and I use them religiously every day. 

Try this 3 step system to maintain your skin’s strength, soothe skin conditions and prevent irritation.

• Wash pits (and all of your delicate places!) with a mild soap that safely cleanses without stripping skin and actually helps to repair skin tissue.
• Help your body feel fresh and clean with our Sensual Kisses Body Spray.
• Rebuild your moisture barrier with a body butter rich in plant-based butters and oil to give you essential fatty acids and healing oils.

Contact dermatitis (a red, itchy rash) is caused when the skin comes into contact with an ingredient that triggers a reaction. Some may show signs of irritation immediately and others may develop over time. Every body is made differently and responds uniquely to each ingredient, which makes finding the specific cause a bit difficult. However, here are some suggestions that will make a big difference in preventing + calming contact dermatitis.

While you may think you’re in the clear of chemicals or irritating ingredients when you use a natural deodorant, the formula may not be as natural as you think. Take a look at the ingredient list to find out what gives the product its fresh, floral or seasonal scent. Do you see the word parfum, fragrance or even natural fragrance? These fragrance formulas are engineered scents (and protected by the FDA) that can contain any combination of 3,000+ chemical ingredients, including hormone disruptors and allergens. Be careful you are not being greenwashed into believing your products are natural!

Look for pure essential oils on your deodorant label to help minimize the potential for any allergies or irritations. Our natural deodorant formula uses only pure essential oils along with the powerful combination of coconut oil, shea butter + powders + clays  to prevent odour. Essential oils such as tea tree, peppermint, lavender, lemon, orange and lemongrass have several skin rejuvenating + odour-busting benefits.

Sensitive to active EOs? Our unscented deodorant effectively protects against unwanted odour + soothes sensitive pits without any essential oils.

There is actually a type of irritation that’s more common than we may think and doesn’t have anything to do with deodorant itself. Intertrigo is the scientific name for a skin rash that shows up between the folds of skin, aka armpits, breast folds, and groin areas. This inflammatory skin condition is due to a few factors – such as friction between skin folds, lack of air circulation, moisture, bacteria and heat. No wonder our pits would be the perfect place for this rash to show up! While this condition causes skin to feel raw, itchy, cracked and red, there are some natural solutions to help prevent and treat Intertrigo.

• Shower daily with this gentle soap from Moyaa Shea Butter and be sure to dry off thoroughly.
• Avoid wearing tight clothes to allow your underarms to breathe.
• Prevent friction and moisture with our body butter to keep things moving freely and prevent chafing. 
• And of course, if your rash isn’t clearing up you may want to seek medical care.

Have you ever applied deodorant immediately after shaving and felt the sting, the burn and the inevitable itch? Shaving causes tiny cuts on our pits, so to avoid + prevent underarm irritation, always shave at night and apply deodorant in the morning. Also, remember to shave in the direction of hair growth to minimize inflammation and never shave with a dull blade – your pits will thank you. 

Here are some tips to help make the transition to natural deodorant even more smooth…

• Drink more water to support the detoxification process.
• Start dry brushing to stimulate lymph flow + flush out toxins.
• Eliminating processed and refined foods, eating lots of leafy green vegetables and getting regular exercise can help support the detoxification process and promote balanced pits – and better B.O.!
• Get a massage. The perfect excuse to book a spa appointment!  
• DIY Underarm Detox: Applying a DIY detox paste has been beneficial for so many people as they have transitioned from traditional deodorants to a natural alternative.
• While excess sweat and smell may be an inevitable part of the initial pit detox, this simple DIY Detox Pit Paste can help minimize odour, painful rashes and sweat!
• Mix 1 tablespoon of our Pure Kisses Face Mask (with detoxifying bentonite clay), 1 teaspoon ACV, 1-2 teaspoon purified water and apply thin layer to each pit for about 5-20 minutes (depending on how your skin responds). Apply daily for up to 2 weeks – or until your pits are detoxed, smooth and odour free.

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT CLEAN KISS?

At Clean Kiss we are passionate about creating natural skincare and body products that you can feel good about using yourself, and for your whole family. 

From health-conscious, active mamas, to busy teenagers and dads, our customers love the experience of using our freshly-scented products that not only leave your skin feeling amazing, but ACTUALLY work.

Clean Kiss was founded by Family Natural Health Expert, Jodie Pappas, out of her own personal quest to find natural products for herself and her family that ACTUALLY worked. After first creating her signature natural deodorant, she went on to produce a full line of skincare and body products. 

Each product is created in small batches using chemical-free formulations that have been recognized with several awards, has developed a loyal customer base of Clean Kissers, and has gained some international media attention by Business Insider, InStyle Magazine, The Toronto Sun, Breakfast TV Toronto, CHCH Hamilton, Global TV and more!

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