Natural Deodorant Leaving Your Armpits Red and Irritated? Here's What You Can Do.

Switching from an antiperspirant deodorant full of chemicals to using a clean deodorant seems like it should be a pretty straight-forward process, right? Not for everyone. If you’re among those who experience some irritation, don’t worry, this is totally normal, and you are not alone. Keep calm and read on. 

At Curie, we call this the “detox period.” Your pits might feel slightly uncomfortable while they adjust back to a natural balance, but trust the process! Reverting back to spreading aluminum, parabens, triclosan, and other questionable chemicals is not the solution.

Ultimately, everyone’s unique body chemistry will react differently during the detox period. If you do end up with any redness or irritation, we want to explain why and offer ideas on how to resolve it, quick.

FAQ’s

What is happening?

• Antiperspirants are designed to clog your pores, preventing your body from doing a very natural, very normal process, sweating! During the detox process, your glands release all the old toxins (including aluminum), which can cause irritation, redness, or even a rash.

• At the same time, your body is adjusting its pH levels in response to the sweat that it’s allowing itself to release. As a reminder, it’s good to sweat! Sweating allows your body to regulate its temperature and clean itself from the inside out. Once you correct the bacterial imbalances in your armpits, your sweat should smell less unpleasant and your natural deodorant will be much more effective.

What causes a rash?

• If you produce more sweat, your pits may produce higher friction which can cause redness. This is normal and only occurs during the time it takes your sweat glands to adjust to their new, natural perspiration cycle. 

• Baking soda is a key ingredient in most natural deodorants due to its antibacterial, deodorizing properties. However, as your pits unclog and detox, your sweat may temporarily become more acidic. As a result, irritation can sometimes occur during the transition to a natural deodorant.

If I do have a reaction, how long will it last?

Everyone is different. Depending on the reason for your natural deodorant breakout, your healing time can be anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.

If you experience irritation for longer than 1-2 weeks, your skin may have a baking soda sensitivity. This is why we formulated our best-selling aluminum free deodorant spray baking soda-free. If you have experienced irritation from natural deodorants in the past, or if you have extra sensitive skin, this is the clean deodorant for you. 

What can I do to make the redness and irritation go away?

• Keep it clean: clean your pits at the end of the day with mild soap and warm water.

• Use an armpit detox mask: using our clay detox mask will help make the transition from an antiperspirant to a clean deodorant faster and easier. Our detox mask uses charcoal, bentonite, and kaolin clay to help rid underarms of aluminum and product buildup, and also may help reduce irritation. 

• Shaving 101: when you shave, you are making micro tears in delicate skin. Applying anything to a fresh, small, open wound can cause irritation. We suggest giving your armpits some time after shaving before applying Curie deodorant. 

• Vinegar rub: apply a small amount of apple cider vinegar to a cotton ball and dab your armpits at night to help reduce the pH of your armpits.

Irritation is rare, but we want you to know it’s completely normal and more importantly, temporary. If you have any other questions, we’d love to help! And please check out our line of clean, aluminum-free products.