Are there actual benefits to an armpit detox? We explore!
Posted on February 14, 2022 Written by: 100% PURE®
In the health and wellness spaces, we're regularly recommended to "detox" a lot of ourselves: pores, guts, diets – anything for a good cleanse. Now it’s… armpits. Why would your armpits need a detox? If you’re making a switch to natural deodorant, you could be ‘sweating’ the side effects. Let’s explore if (and how) an armpit detox really works.
What Is an Armpit Detox and How Does It Work?
An armpit detox is the transition from conventional deodorant or antiperspirant to natural deodorant. When you make the switch, you’re likely to go through a "transitory" phase of extra underarm sweat and odor. Before you’re down in the pits over this, an armpit detox speeds up this unpleasant phase.
The detoxification process starts with getting rid of all the toxin and chemical build-up from traditional deodorants. It also involves re-training your body to manage bacteria without all those chemicals. In the meantime, this doesn’t mean you’ll need to keep your arms firmly planted close to your body. There are big breaths of fresh air in the name of good health and sweet smells.
What Are the Benefits of an Armpit Detox?
Is there more to the armpit detoxing craze than meets the eyes and nose? The wellness trend does have benefits for helping your body transition to natural deodorant more pleasantly and efficiently. Here are a few reasons how:
#1: Eliminates odor-causing bacteria
Detoxing your underarms can prevent the petri dish of stinky bacteria that builds up from conventional deodorants and antiperspirants.
#2: Removes product and clogged pores
Since antiperspirants work by temporarily clogging sweat glands to prevent sweating, an armpit detox helps to unclog and purify pores.
#3: Eliminates harsh ingredients on your skin
An armpit detox and using a natural deodorant prevents many chemical-laden deodorants and antiperspirants from being on or absorbed by your body.
#4: Controls odor
As less sweat comes to the surface of your skin, less odor results. Deodorants stop sweat from smelling but don't stop sweat itself. An armpit detox prevents the odor-triggering bacteria from forming.
How to Do an Armpit Detox
An armpit detox can help your body get back to its natural state of clean perspiration faster. You’ll want to flush out the old bacteria and chemical residue and opt for surface detoxifiers to restore balance in your underarm area. Though the process may seem daunting, with these tips you’ll be well on your way to healthy, happy armpits.
Stop Using Chemical Ingredients
If you’ve been using conventional deodorant or antiperspirant for some time, then your body has likely become dependent on those products now. The chemicals and preservatives in them might temporarily keep the smell at bay, but they’re causing another ‘stink’.
Avoid ingredients like aluminum, parabens, formaldehyde, phthalates, and propylene glycol. Since the skin on our armpits is really thin, these chemical culprits can cause skin irritation or worse, disturb our body’s natural process.
How Surface Detoxifiers Can Restore Balance to Your Armpits
When it comes to “detoxing” the armpits because it is an area of the body where there is skin on skin, allowing for certain types of bacteria to live, how do you restore balance? There are plenty of natural deodorants on the market.
More or less the same, there are common ingredients even as accessible as in your kitchen or pantry that can aid in the detoxification process and help to restore your armpits to Zen status! Some of these common detoxifiers include bentonite clay, apple cider vinegar, and water. Let’s learn more about these detoxifying common ingredients plus more to balance your armpits.
Natural Deodorant Ingredients That Can Help In An Armpit Detox
If you are still struggling with odor or have doubts about the armpit detox process, have no fear! There are plenty of easily accessible ingredients that can help you with an armpit detox. So, let's dive into why they might be used, as well as some benefits they may have for your armpit detox process.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is used in many at-home beauty recipes from shampoos to scrubs. For your armpits, you can use it as an exfoliant. However, sensitive skin types need to be aware that the ingredient can alter the skin’s pH. Exercise caution if you go this route and spot test on your arm prior to applying it to your armpits.
Bentonite Clay
This is a classic clay that's chock-full of minerals like calcium, iron, and magnesium. Bentonite clay is porous, and thus can absorb gunk, dirt, moisture, and so on. That makes this a popular choice for an armpit detox.
Apple Cider Vinegar
This do-it-all tonic is acidic, and thus shifts the skin microbiome. That makes it less habitable for odor causing bacteria.
Activated Charcoal
Another popular skin care ingredient, activated charcoal attracts stuff from your pores. For many, there is a slight transitional phase (typical of changing anything) marked by fluctuating sweating levels and increased odor. This is completely normal and a natural, temporary thing that happens as your body adjusts to a new type of product.
And while many deem it as your skin "purging" or "detoxing" certain antiperspirant ingredients, it's really nothing more than your skin getting back to baseline. That means back to naturally healthy, happy skin regardless of the area. But we’re happy it’s the underarms, too! Let’s make the natural stuff work for you and your body!
