Underarm Rash and Pigmentation from Natural Deodorant

⚠️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.

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?

[aTwistedSista]

Yes ma’am. Schmidt’s BURNED me exactly like this. Took my pits like a year to recover.

[keke]

It’s the baking soda in natural deodorants! My first year I had this but I switched to baking soda free deodorants and I have been fine for the last 5 years

[ChiMarcCannon]

Absolutely!... It happened to me. Thank God I'm an esthetician and knew exactly what to do. I discontinued use and after a week when I could see all irritation had subsided I tried a different "all natural"... ( The HELLO Brand) And it worked great. Not as long lasting but I get just about 24 hours. ... Side note guys I suggest wiping your under arms with witch hazel just ensure no buildup in the pores of the armpit 🕊️

[LveBeauty]

Yes, many people with O type blood are "allergic" to arrow root. Also, arrow root is a thickening agent that is expanding under your skin, causing irritation. The rubbing of the exfoliating baking soda causes rawness & chaffing. 💌

[jasmin]

That baking soda ain’t no joke. I avoid natural deodorants with baking soda as an ingredient.

[AJWoods]

Honestly I have had the opposite experience. I can’t use commercial deodorant anymore, my armpits are sensitive. I got a horrible boil last time I used a commercial brand. Schmidt’s has been the only constant thing that works for me. I say listen to your body and do what works for you.

[blkdiadem]

I had to stop using Lume years ago when it 1st came out. It worked but ended up breaking me out really badly. I commented this on one of their recent posts, and they reached out to me. They have reformulated it. They sent me a full-size sample to try again. Now I'm using it again with no problem.

[redfootwalking]

I actually would normally be asleep at this moment, but, I decided to watch this shorts...and I'm glad I did. I have a fully body rash that is driving me insane...only started when I started using this bundle of natural deodorant...I think I'm going to have to make a change today...so thankful for this video

[AuthenticallyKee]

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.

[Jk]

I’ve been using the Crystal deodorant for years and found it works pretty well. You still sweat but the stinky smell is mostly neutralized. Mostly I smell like the soap I washed with. Sometimes I use lavender water toner or witch hazel on my skin before I apply, then I smell like that. Way better than any other “natural” deodorant.

[julin]

I used an aloe Vera gel to treat inflammation from shaving and it worked as a natural Deo. I was so happy because I could not use anything else on my inflamed arm pits!

[rosebenson]

Thankyou ladies for sharing this. Boy what we the public don't know. Education is so necessary at any age!!

[LareauxLearningLibrary]

Those natural salt deodorants turned my underarms into a blistering rash EVERY TIME I tried it too. Lavilin is the only natural that doesn’t break me out in a severe rash. No aluminum or baking soda and each application literally lasts for days. Works on men and women. I’ve been using Lavilin in the cream and roll on and both work great. I can go 3 weeks -1 month between applications with the cream version. 15 years strong with no adverse reactions on my sensitive skin. 🎉

[AB-]

Yes! Lume gave me burns that took weeks to recover. But that didn't stop me from finding a natural deodorant that worked for me.

[odeanlawrence]

I've used SOFT & GENTLE for over 30 years and never had any issues.

[shaktisoul]

This happened to me. It was unbelievably painful and took many months to heal. I've now switched to roll ons with some sort of AHA/BHA and it's worked wonders.

[HashtagAlkaline]

Diet and detoxing is very important when you deal with natural products. I had a similar thing happen when I first transitioned to natural deodorant. I contacted my aesthetician and did a little research on my own. I went on a 3 day detox then got back to using my natural deodorant. I’ve had absolutely no problems since. What we put in our bodies will always come out through the skin. Take care of your inside and you shouldn’t have any issues with the outside

[wwqsffq]

Try a nickel side area in your palm with 1-2 drop chosen essential oil. Rub together & apply to underarms after healing.

[beckery]

Ouch! I never use any at all anymore, for so many years, due to sensitive skin. That's an easy wash up and refresh and your body will thank you for ditching those harmful irritants.

[akosuamroney]

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.