Why does my natural deodorant make me smell worse? — Moody Sisters Skincare (2024)

FAQs

Why does my natural deodorant make me smell worse? — Moody Sisters Skincare? ›

You may need to switch scents/formulas. Sometimes, the effectiveness of natural deodorant rests entirely on the formula or fragrance and your body chemistry. If you try a scent and you find you are smelling even worse then you probably need to switch to a different scent profile.

This process is natural, but can cause a bit of odor and excessive sweating while your body works overtime to detox. Even though this is a natural and expected process, adjusting to a natural and aluminum-free deodorant can be rough. Thankfully, it won't last forever – your body just needs time to regulate itself.

Research has found that the salts in antiperspirants can cause an imbalance of bacteria. The aluminum compounds kill off the less smelly bacteria, giving the smellier bacteria more opportunity to thrive, causing more body odour.

Its alkaline nature, which is more basic than the skin's natural pH, can easily prompt a skin reaction, Neelam Vashi, MD, associate professor of dermatology at Boston University School of Medicine and director of the Boston University Cosmetic and Laser Center at Boston Medical Center, tells SELF.

Well, how long it takes for a natural deodorant to feel as though it is working differs from person to person. it can take up to 30-days for your body to learn to sweat naturally and regulate itself again. You should expect your armpits to smell a little pungent for the first couple of weeks.

Since you're no longer blocking your sweat glands and shrinking your pores with antiperspirant deodorant, your body has to relearn how to sweat naturally. This can take up to 30 days.

These findings help explain why switching to natural deodorants might initially lead to increased odour or sweat initially, as the body's microbiome adjusts to the absence of aluminium-based compounds found in traditional antiperspirants When you switch, your body's microbiome needs time to rebalance, which can ...

To do an underarm detox, use 1 tablespoon of bentonite clay (a natural, detoxifying clay) mixed with 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, which has cleansing properties, and 1 teaspoon of water. Apply the paste to your underarms for around 10 minutes daily for a week or more until your underarm odor subsides.

Under certain conditions, Dr. Lenzy says that bacteria can be enhanced. An example of that is the studies that have shown that for some people, the use of antiperspirant can lead to an overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria, causing an odor. So for some, going without brings about the best results.

What hormone imbalance causes smelly armpits? ›

During menopause, your hormonal balance shifts. This shift can also lead to stronger body odor. Estrogen and progesterone levels fall relative to your testosterone, while cortisol tends to increase. Higher levels of both testosterone and cortisol have been linked to stronger body odor.

Body odor is caused by a mix of bacteria and sweat on your skin. Your body odor can change due to hormones, the food you eat, infection, medications or underlying conditions like diabetes.

By keeping your underarms clean, using baking soda, apple cider vinegar, or lemon juice, wearing natural fibers, staying hydrated, and eating a healthy diet, you can get rid of underarm odour naturally. Give these natural remedies a try and see what works best for you.

"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.

Some people experience small, tender, red bumps that appear in their underarms when they switch from a traditional deodorant or antiperspirant to an all-natural deodorant. Other underarm rash symptoms can include: Redness. Bumps.

The Adjustment Period When Switching to Natural Deodorant

If you are just switching to natural deodorant, your body may need 1-3 weeks to adjust. But if you've been using antiperspirants your whole life, it could take a bit longer as the sweat glands in your underarms are going to go through quite the adjustment.

There are a few situational reasons that may have contributed to its downfall, such as ever-changing hormones, increased stress levels, new medications, or even a new workout routine. Any of these can lead to an increase in bacteria living on your skin.

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.