Tips to switch to an aluminum-free deodorant (2024)

FAQs

Tips to switch to an aluminum-free deodorant? ›

By now, your sweat glands will have cleared away any leftover aluminum. So your body will now start to regulate its own heat by ridding of small toxins through sweat. At this point, there will be backed-up acids in your sweat making their way to your skin's surface. Such acids will produce body odor.

By now, your sweat glands will have cleared away any leftover aluminum. So your body will now start to regulate its own heat by ridding of small toxins through sweat. At this point, there will be backed-up acids in your sweat making their way to your skin's surface. Such acids will produce body odor.

How long does it take to adjust to natural deodorant? The length of a detox phase (as well as the amount of odor and sweat) varies from person to person, but most people say it takes them about a month to fully adjust. This adjustment typically happens in a few different stages.

Re-apply as needed. We found that there's a transition period of about 2 weeks as the body adjusts to the new glorious freedom of natural deodorant. In that time, to help your body get a handle on the BO, we recommend reapplying our Fresh Cream Deodorant up to 3 times throughout the day.

Prepare with an Underarm Mask

Using a clay mask once per week can help make the transition to natural deodorant an easier one. A mask can also remove dead and dry skin that trap odor.

Your body is too used to relying on the aluminium “plugs” in your sweat glands to stop it from sweating. It has forgotten how to do it properly which makes it hard for natural deodorants to work effectively. Your body needs some time to get back into the swing of things. Think of it as a detox period.

It is the bacteria that grows on the sweat that causes this odor – sounds gross right? Therefore, when you remove aluminum, your body will release what has been blocked which causes this brief time period of body odor. It's known as a detox when switching to a natural deodorant.

"When switching from an antiperspirant to a deodorant, you are removing the aluminum and releasing waste which has been blocked. This is a natural process as part of our body's built-in mechanisms, but it may contribute to releasing some slightly unusual body odor in comparison to what you are used to.

While natural deodorants may contain ingredients designed to absorb sweat, only aluminum is effective is preventing it. Expect to be sweatier than you would be with an aluminum-based product. Moreover, some people report being especially sweaty (and smelly) for a week or so while their body adjusts to the switch.

How to detox your armpits from aluminum? ›

Most armpit detoxes use a homemade mask of bentonite clay and apple cider vinegar. Some also include water to dilute the vinegar. Others use equal parts bentonite clay and coconut oil for a more soothing, hydrating mix that still has some antibacterial properties, thanks to the coconut oil.

A deodorant detox phase typically lasts anywhere from a week up to a month, and during that time period you may experience: Increased armpit sweating. Increased body odor. Rash-like bumps in your armpits.

“If you stop using aluminum, salt-based antiperspirants, your skin will naturally shed the aluminum from the sweat glands over time,” he says. When one writer went on an armpit detox, she experienced increased odor during the first few weeks. By week four, that odor had subsided.

They also form a hydrophobic layer that inhibits the proliferation of odor-causing bacteria. So, when you switch to an aluminum-free deodorant, your body has to readjust and get used to perspiration again. This process can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.

Keep It Dry

Keeping things clean and dry. When switching to an aluminum-free deodorant, be sure to carefully pat your underarms dry after you get out of the shower, before applying product. Also, some clean beauty brands include ingredients specifically designed to safely provide a clean, dry feeling.

Your body odor is probably going to smell different, and potentially stronger, than what you're used to. That's because your body is simultaneously purging its sweat glands and recalibrating the balance of microscopic organisms that live on your skin. It's establishing a new normal.

When you switch from antiperspirant to natural deodorant, your body needs a little detox time. You might sweat a bit more at first, but don't worry! Keep going and soon your armpits will be clean and balanced. After a few weeks, the smell will go away and you won't have to think about the bad stuff in antiperspirants.

If your skin reacts to a natural deodorant, it's most likely a case of contact dermatitis, Dr. Skelsey says, adding that any of the ingredients mentioned above can trigger this reaction. It generally looks like a red, itchy rash that scales or peels, and there are two types of contact dermatitis to be aware of.

Aluminum-free deodorants stand out for their skin-friendly benefits, offering a gentler approach to daily hygiene, particularly appealing to those with sensitive skin. Without aluminum, which can cause irritation and clog pores, these deodorants minimize the risk of skin discomfort, redness, and rashes.