In an increasingly toxic world, more people are looking for natural remedies and simple ways to detox. If you’ve spent any time reading articles online or following along on social media, you’ve probably come across something called an armpit detox. Baking soda is a common ingredient in these recipes, but does it really work as people claim?
What is an armpit detox?
Armpit detox is like a face mask for your armpits. A paste applied to the underarm area to remove toxins, chemical build-up, and odor-causing bacteria. When applied wet and allowed to dry for a few minutes, the paste can absorb toxins and microorganisms. Then rinse everything and pat dry.
People often try underarm detox masks as part of their transition from regular deodorants to natural deodorants. They believe this helps the body adjust to the absence of aluminum and other sweat-blocking chemicals in conventional deodorants and antiperspirants.
Depending on the ingredients, an armpit detox can reduce skin irritation, armpit odor, or excessive sweating that may occur as your body adjusts to a toxin-free deodorant.
Armpit pastes typically consist of natural absorbents or antibacterial ingredients that draw out toxins and kill bacteria. For example, baking soda, bentonite clay, cornstarch, and charcoal all help absorb toxins. Apple cider vinegar and essential oils help maintain microbial balance.
What are the benefits of a baking soda armpit detox?
Although not recommended by dermatologists, an armpit detox may offer some benefits.
- Reduces armpit odor: Traditional deodorants leave residue on your skin, which can block sweat glands and trap odor-causing bacteria. Cleansing the skin, balancing pH, and managing bacterial balance can all help reduce odor.
- A healthier skin microbiome: Using more acidic ingredients in your detox fit paste can help restore your skin’s natural microbiome. Promoting a healthy skin microbiome with the skincare products we use helps maintain a healthy barrier and protect against toxins.
- Reduces Breast Cancer Risk: Avoiding toxins near your lymph nodes while maintaining a healthy skin barrier may help reduce your risk of cancer. However, there is still no scientific evidence that armpit detox helps.
In general, lowering your toxic burden while supporting a healthy microbiome goes a long way toward creating a healthy body.
How not to detox your armpits
The most popular armpit detox recipe involves using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Although the chemical reaction (fermentation) looks impressive, mixing the two is not a good idea.
Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, an alkaline ingredient. Vinegar is acetic acid, which is obviously acidic. Therefore, the acids and bases cancel each other out and do not detoxify the armpits in a meaningful way.
In fact, baking soda’s highly alkaline nature (pH around 9) can disrupt your skin’s natural pH balance if you use too much. (The pH of human skin should be close to 5.0.) If the pH becomes too alkaline, it can negatively affect the skin’s microbiome, leading to increased body odor over a period of time.
If you want to use baking soda to detox your armpits, it’s best to use it separately as an exfoliator. Its abrasive properties can help slough off dead skin. However, it may have side effects, so it is important to use it only occasionally. Baking soda can dry out and irritate sensitive skin and could potentially do more harm than good.
Do not apply Armpit Detox to freshly shaved skin. It may irritate the area. If you’re worried, you can also do a patch test. Apply the baking soda paste to the inside of your arm and leave it on for about an hour to make sure there is no irritation to your skin.
How to effectively detox your armpits
To detox your armpits, first mix the ingredients to make a paste. A good combination is bentonite clay and water or apple cider vinegar. Apply to clean, dry armpits and leave on for 5 to 20 minutes like a mask pack. Once dry, wash off the mixture in the shower or with a warm, wet towel.
Adding certain essential oils to your armpit detox may also be helpful. Essential oils are more than just perfume. Many of them are powerful antibacterial agents. Essential oils to consider include lavender, lemongrass, rosemary, and tea tree oil. Just add a few drops to the paste when mixing.
Using lymphatic massage may also be helpful. There are over 20 lymph nodes in your armpits, but your lymphatic system doesn’t have a pump to keep them moving. This is where massage comes in.
After you’ve completed your initial armpit detox, it’s time to transition to natural personal care products. You can DIY your own homemade deodorant using coconut oil and other natural products. This product contains magnesium, which helps restore armpit mineral balance.
You can also find a variety of natural deodorants that are aluminum and paraben-free at your local natural foods store. However, it is important to read the ingredients as they may contain synthetic fragrances, talc, lanolin, or other undesirable additives.
The best deodorant for smelly armpits
Many of the natural deodorants on the market are not very effective. People complain about having to reapply throughout the day. So I decided to make Wellnesse’s official. mineral deodorant. This deodorant uses natural ingredients that work against armpit odor without adding any toxic burden.
It contains coconut oil and shea butter to moisturize, and baking soda absorbs odors and toxins. And because it’s pH balanced, it doesn’t irritate the skin like baking soda. The essential oil of castor oil and zinc ricinoleate also help combat odor. Plus, there was a faint palo santo scent. Great to use after showering or armpit detox!
Have you ever done something like an armpit detox? What benefits have you discovered? Please share below!
