⚠️Underarm irritation and hyperpigmentation can occur when switching from aluminum antiperspirants to natural deodorants.
🌿While natural doesn't mean safer, and scientific evidence shows that antiperspirants are safe, I always respect my patient's choices.
📝If you’re considering going aluminum-free, here’s what you need to know for a smoother transition.
High concentrations of baking soda in natural deodorants can disrupt your skin’s barrier, leading to dryness, irritation, inflammation, and hyperpigmentation. Underarm skin is sensitive, and the moist, occlusive environment makes it particularly vulnerable (The case for my patient above).
Antiperspirants block sweat ducts with aluminum salts, reducing sweat, while deodorants only target odor, not sweat, are aluminum-free, making them unlikely to provide full-day wetness protection.
So whether you prefer aluminum-free products or find them irritating, for maximum benefit with minimal irritation, consider alternatives with antibacterial agents, odor neutralizers, and liquid/odor absorbers free of baking soda and known skin sensitizers.
Examples that work well and meet these criteria include necessaire, lume, saltair secretdeodorant. These utilize gentle alpha hydroxy acids (mandelic, salicylic, and lactic acid, respectively) as PH-balancing odor fighters.
Nuud.care uses zinc oxide to neutralize odor-causing bacteria to reduce body odor & silver for its antimicrobial properties to combat bacteria and reduce odor.
Finding the right one may take trial and error, as everyone’s skin sensitivities and microbiomes vary. Remember, many “natural” ingredients may not be skin-friendly and can cause reactions. When in doubt, do a spot test first.
#deodorant #underarmskincare #hyperpigmentation
Have you ever experienced irritation from using a natural deodorant?
That baking soda ain’t no joke. I avoid natural deodorants with baking soda as an ingredient.
I got the opposite issue I got to use those silly natural ones with the weird smells like Sage . You know what sweaty Sage arm pits smell like? Like I wandered through the woods without a shower for 3 days useless just useless
Sage Lavender ( no one can smell the lavender!!)
I am seeing this in clinic too often. I’m trying to spread the word! Thanks so much for sharing.
Most “natural” products break me out! A lot of the oils and butters tear my skin up.
This is true for so many of us. Thanks for sharing!
Yes ma’am. Schmidt’s BURNED me exactly like this. Took my pits like a year to recover.
So glad you recovered! Sorry it took a year!
Same! Never using it again!
I had the same reaction to Schmidt’s. I stopped using it immediately.
I had a similar experience when trying a popular “natural” brand. I’m a bit relieved to know it wasn’t just me!
You are not alone. Sadly this happens to so many people.
Native deodorant didn’t work for me. My armpits were irritated within a week. I didn’t finish the tube
@@DrAlexisStephens that’s disappointing to know! But thank you for shedding some light on this!
@@jasmin6023 that’s the one that irritated me as well! I was a bit upset that I spent my money on it but I’m glad to know that it doesn’t work for me.
Oh my goodness! This happened to me when I started using Tom’s deodorant in 2018 and I am still dealing with the effects. Inflammation, irritation and hyperpigmentation. I’m using Dove now and it only works for so long. I will give Lume a try! Thanks
You are very welcome and thanks so much for sharing!
Lume caused my entire house to have contact dermatitis and i am the only one with sensitive skin. Buyer Beware
@@if_you_only_knew oh wow, thanks for the head ups, this is crazy!!!
Omg! I’m glad I wasn’t going crazy. I developed a rash under my armpits after using Native deodorant. It was so irritating. I”m going back to using Dove.
That’s what I have at the moment, also on Native, smells good , but then burning and rash occurred. Never had something like that before.
Same!
It can happen with the non natural too. Had a horribly itchy and painful rash that spread
Yes you are right the under arm skin is very sensitive.
And them kernels😢
Helene’ vitamin E. Deodorant is gentle and has little to no smell. A small amount goes a long way..
Thanks so much for sharing!
It’s weird that aluminum, which is a core element found in nature and our bodies, has been attacked as something toxic and harmful, but baking soda is somehow “more natural” and safe for our *acidic* skin 🥴
Agree. Personally, I don’t like using antiperspirant (which I think is what the aluminum is for) because antiperspirants interferes with your body’s natural regulation of sweat production, not because I think it’s toxic.
I agree. As you said aluminum is everywhere…our soil, food and water. I also think its important to respect patients choices so I educate on saftey but also try and provide alternatives that are less likely to cause issues.
@DrAlexisStephens is there a list of what’s better? I’m not finding it.
What alternative brands can we use as safe deodorants?
I listed many in the description box as well as how each one works as a bit of. guide to help you find one that may work best for your skin. You can click the 3 little dots in the corner for the details. Hope this helps!
A lot of people claim to have irritated armpits for about 2 weeks after switching to “natural” deodorant from antiperspirants containing aluminum. I personally didn’t experience any irritation. I’ve been using Native for about 2 years now. I switched during pregnancy and still use it during breastfeeding. Milk ducts go up into the armpits and I don’t want anything getting into my milk supply.
Thanks for sharing!!
Does milk supply get effected by aluminum in deodorant/antiperspirant? @@DrAlexisStephens
BAKING SODA DID ME DIRTY. I stick to Almay’s fragrance free aluminum deodorant gel and benzoyl peroxide washes. The aluminum works and I don’t mess with fragrance now
Thanks for sharing. Such great options!
It’s the, “baking soda did me dirty”. IM SCREAMING LAUGHING 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 And I just saw one of the doctors on YouTube suggesting to mix a little water with Baking Soda to use for exfoliating the face.
so true! happened to me once and I don’t play that. it cleared up but never again.
I can use Lume with no issues though
Thanks for sharing!
Yes, this happened to me. I looked it up but I’m glad you are speaking on this as a dermatologist. Thank you for the continued education.
The exact same thing happened to me under both arms after using Tom’s because of the baking soda! I still use natural deodorant, but I avoid any with baking soda. If anyone wants a recommendation, try ClayDry! I’ve been using that brand nonstop since 2019. It’s got a great formula that doesn’t clump or stain clothes. Plus the fragrances smell so good! Sweet Amber is my favorite.
I kept using it, and added coconut oil, and it went away. I still use the same natural deodorant, but I don’t get that rash anymore, after using coconut oil with it…
It’s aluminum for me until the end of days. That underarm rash is no joke!
Yes ma’am… once I stopped using natural deodorant mine cleared up.
Wow. Thanks for sharing guys. I was in the process of buying natural deodorant. Thanks
WHAT. I use Native and my under arms have been on the struggle bus! I’ve noticed I can’t apply immediately after shaving because it’s too irritating, so I wait a while if I’m just at home. But I didn’t know it was causing the overall dermatitis I keep experiencing. Thank you for sharing!!! I do prefer to avoid anti-perspirant so as not to interfere with the body’s natural sweat response…so I will be looking at your recommendations for other options 👏🏽