If you follow my Instagram (@velvetsedge), you have seen my recent Insta Stories about making the switch to natural deodorant. I have been reading so much about how much aluminum and other toxins we are putting in our body daily by just applying regular deodorants and antiperspirant.It is a major cause of breast cancer in women and other disease. I’ve been nervous about making the change because I have heard that there is a couple week transition process….so, I may smell a little stinky for a bit which is obviously not pleasant. I did find this article with lots of tips about the transition process and it was very informative, so I thought of I would share for anyone else wanting to make the change. More to come on my experience!
How to Detox Your Armpits and switch to a nontoxic deodorant
Sweating is a natural process of cooling and detoxifying your body. And it’s an important feature of the body’s most unique organ: your skin. Nontoxic deodorant is one of the things that Allison considers the “last frontier” of natural products – people are reluctant to ditch their favorite conventional deodorants. We understand the reasons people hang on to conventional deodorants and antiperspirants: we don’t want to look sweaty, smell stinky, or feel uncomfortably damp in our armpits.
Unfortunately, your deodorant, and particularly your antiperspirant, could be interfering with your body’s natural attempts to remove toxins and could potentially be causing long term health effects like breast cancer or Alzheimer’s disease.1 Studies show that mothers who have used an antiperspirant containing aluminum salts (a common antiperspirant ingredient) absorb the aluminum transdermally and even pass the aluminum on to their children during pregnancy.2
You can actually change your own body odor!
Did you know that using certain deodorants or an antiperspirant daily can change the bacterial microbiome in your armpits? Consistent use can actually make your sweat smellier (due to overproduction of a bad bacteria) if you briefly discontinue use.3 Just because your sweat may smell strong if you forget to put on your antiperspirant for one day does not mean that you shouldn’t try to ditch your antiperspirant. In fact, that’s a good reason to try to detox your armpits and transition to a nontoxic option!
First, Detox Your Armpits
Once you correct the bacterial imbalances in your armpits, your sweat should not actually smell particularly unpleasant. You can try our suggestions below to detox your armpits and rebalance the bacteria. If you’re considering switching to a nontoxic deodorant, we highly recommend you try these suggestions as you switch so that your overall body odor is reduced at the same time. Your new deodorant will be much more effective if it’s not fighting conditions that foster bad body odor.
Simple, natural ways to detox your armpits & reduce body odor
WEAR NATURAL FIBERS
Have you ever noticed that your sweat smells particularly strong when you wear certain shirts? It’s not just your imagination! As we’ve mentioned before in our Healthy Travel Guide, wearing natural fibers (versus synthetics) can make a huge difference in the smell of your sweat! Look for 100% cotton, linen, or bamboo rather than polyester, rayon, or other synthetic blends.
“Natural fibers like cotton are lightweight, which means they’re ideal for layering for warmth or for keeping you cool in the sun. Unlike synthetic fibers (like polyester and blends), cotton doesn’t harbor bad bacteria and trap body odor in the clothing. By wearing natural fibers, you’re more likely to smell fresher longer and get more use out of the same shirt.”
Unfortunately, people tend to wear synthetic fibers when they’re sweating the most, during a workout. Yoga pants made from polyester or spandex or nylon running shorts can be great for stretching and wicking moisture. But wearing them for long periods or every day can contribute to bad bacteria overgrowth and upset your body’s microbiome. Plus, synthetic fibers can be heavily treated with chemicals, including formaldehyde, in production. We love how many options there are now for breathable, stretch-friendly cotton leggings and tanks. Pact is definitely our favorite, since their clothes are made with organic cotton.
MIND WHAT YOU EAT
Certain foods will actually change the way your body odor smells. If you want to test the way foods can change your body odor, try removing typical offenders like caffeine, alcohol, pork and foods fried in unhealthy oils. In general, a clean and balanced vegetarian diet will help you maintain a neutral body odor, though beware garlic and onions, which may make your sweat smell strong. The best foods for combatting body odor are leafy greens.4
DRY OFF CAREFULLY AFTER A SHOWER OR BATH
Bacteria loves moist environments, which is why it can thrive so well in your armpits on a hot day (and produce odors). When you step out of the bath or shower, make sure you dry off well, paying particularly close attention to your armpits. Not only will doing so make an inhospitable environment for bacteria to grow, but it will also allow you to apply a deodorant more effectively. In a pinch, you can wipe off excess sweat with a paper towel if you want to keep your armpits dry and are not able to wash with soap and water (for example, while traveling, after exercising, or at your office).
DRINK PLENTY OF WATER
Staying hydrated helps your body remove everyday toxins in an efficient way and can help prevent body odor. Make sure you’re drinking safe, clean water for the best benefit.
TAKE CHLOROPHYLL OR PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENTS
The chlorophyll in leafy vegetables is what makes them a good defense against body odor. If you’re looking to add extra support to your diet, taking a daily chlorophyll supplement is a good way to help your body detox properly.5 Probiotics and probiotic-rich foods are another way to ensure your microbiome is balanced and healthy.
APPLY APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, LEMON, OR WITCH HAZEL
Healthy acids like apple cider vinegar or fresh lemon help neutralize bad bacteria that may be growing in your armpits, causing a foul odor. After you shower, you can use a cotton ball to apply either of these acidic foods to your armpits. Allow to air-dry and follow with a deodorant (optional). Witch hazel is another liquid you could apply the same way to get similar results.6
TRY A BENTONITE CLAY MASK
If you’re looking to take your armpit detox a step farther, you can try a clay mask. Wellness Mama has the full tutorial for this method of removing bad bacteria and other toxins from your armpits.
Pulled from Branch Basics. For more on Branch Basics recommendations of deodorants to try or DIY, click here.
The betonite clay mixed with a bit of apple cider vinegar and water made into a paste that you apply to your armpits is the way I detoxed. I did this every night for 2 weeks, and then every few days for another couple weeks. I have been using natural deodorants for about a year. I have to switch up which ones I use from time to time, but I love the stick deodorants that are available as opposed to pastes. Less is more it seems when it comes to application,as too much seems to make you sweat more. It’s definitely a process, and not the most pleasant one, but so worth it in the end! Good luck!
Thank you!! I need to try that. Just one day one of detox…will keep ya’ll posted