SIGN IN FOR FASTER CHECKOUT
I’ve written before about why swapping deodorant (which may seem insignificant) is still important. The verdict may still be out on conventional aluminum deodorants and antiperspirants’ link to diseases like cancer, but there’s no denying that aluminum-based deodorants and antiperspirants clog pores.
Clogged pores in the armpits? I’ll pass! Clogged pores under your arms can lead to a range of symptoms including itchiness, bumps, inflammation, and more - so why don’t more people jump on the natural deodorant train? It turns out the path to an aluminum-free deodorant life can be difficult (and smelly) to navigate.
We got the scoop from one customer about her journey into natural deodorant and gathered up all her best tips to pass along to you. Check out our conversation below or skip ahead to jump right into her tips.
A Conversation with a Crunchy Customer
Bend Soap (BS): What finally made you decide to do a deodorant detox?
Customer: I knew I needed to make a product swap because I had read about how harmful applying aluminum deodorants and antiperspirants could be. I was using antiperspirant, which is even worse than deodorant. Anything that stops your body from reacting naturally - like not sweating - can’t be good for you.
And my underarm skin spoke for itself: consistently bumpy, inflamed, and strangely darker compared to the rest of my skin.
BS: When you decided to swap, did you immediately replace your antiperspirant with a natural alternative?
Customer: I didn’t think it’d be a great idea to jump into applying another deodorant without doing a bit of a cleanse first, so I opted to do a short detox period.
BS: Can you tell us a little more about what you mean by “detox”? What did it consist of and how long did it last?
Customer: Sure. My armpit detox was only a couple of weeks long, and I didn’t change much other than stopping with an aluminum-based antiperspirant. I stopped cold turkey instead of phasing it out. I also tried to prioritize softly exfoliating my underarm skin to dislodge any buildup and dead skin. They’d been bumpy and clogged for so long that I thought exfoliating might speed up the detox process.
BS: You stopped using antiperspirant cold turkey? What was that like?
Customer: It was a rough start. I’ve read online that when you detox from more conventional aluminum deodorants, your sweat has a tendency to increase in volume and smell worse, which was true for me too. But there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. The first few days were tough, but I tried to remedy this by showering twice a day until my body recalibrated.
BS: What advice would you give to someone who wants to make the switch but is nervous about this phase of the detox?
Customer: Lean into the sweat! The more you sweat, the faster your body is removing toxins. I used the detox period as an opportunity to up my exercise, but like I said - multiple showers during the day helped too. It’s not a glamorous couple of days, so if you’re sweating that profusely, it may be better to do it during a time when you won’t have to interact with too many people.
But the best advice is: do it! It does get better, and it’s worth it.
BS: After your detox, did you decide to go completely deodorant free?
Customer: No, unfortunately that’s not feasible or sustainable for my lifestyle. I tried a few different brands. Some were better than others, but none of them checked all the boxes. Some even made my sweat smell worse!
I was already a fan of Bend Soap’s natural goat milk lotion, so I decided to add deodorant to the list. It was the perfect way to reintroduce myself to deodorant, and since it’s natural, I didn’t experience the same negative effects that I had with conventional store bought aluminum antiperspirants. I haven’t gone back since trying Bend Soap’s deodorant.
Armpit Detox Best Tip Takeaways
Sweat It OutSweat production is going to spike once you stop using aluminum based deodorants or antiperspirants, especially if you stop cold turkey. Advice? Embrace it, and maybe even amplify it.
The more you sweat, the faster your body will be able to detox. Exercising or using saunas while you’re detoxing may help shed toxins and unclog pores faster, just be sure to also increase your water intake accordingly to stay hydrated!
Scrub Away
Some of the signs your armpit pores are clogged include bumps, ingrown hair, and itchiness in your underarms. While you’re detoxing, our source suggests also gently exfoliating the area to eliminate any remaining residue that may be built up after prolonged antiperspirant use.
The goal is to help your pores break free, so a mild abrasive like Bend Soap’s salt and sugar scrubs could be just the exfoliating ticket you need.
Showers to the Rescue
We don’t recommend showering twice a day indefinitely, but during the most intense beginning phase of an aluminum deodorant detox, showering intermittently throughout the day may keep any odor at bay.
Using wipes to freshen up may also be helpful, especially if you’ve chosen to detox in the dead of summer!
If you’ve already swapped out the rest of your beauty and skincare products, it’s time to start thinking about taking the final step in swapping deodorant. A detox before you switch is the perfect way to kickstart your best healthy underarm life and unclog your delicate pores.
Buy one of our deodorants here!
Want to be featured on the blog? Share YOUR success story of switching to natural products with us below in the comments.
Written by Francesca on behalf of Bend Soap
3 comments
Hi Jacklynn,
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your concerns with us. I completely understand your disappointment, especially when you were expecting to support a local Oregon business, as well as your concerns about the difference in the scent.
I’d like to clarify that all of our products are made with the same high-quality ingredients and processes that were used in the old Bend facility, and now in our new facility in Tennessee. However, I do understand that the scent of the cinnamon bar in your recent batch doesn’t seem as strong as what you previously experienced. Your feedback is very valuable to us, and I’ll be sure to share your experience with our production team to ensure consistency in our products.
If you’d like to learn more about our exciting journey to Tennessee, you can read a message from our founders here: https://www.bendsoap.com/blogs/sudsy-scoop/a-new-beginning-to-better-serve-you
We truly value your loyalty and want to ensure that our products meet your expectations. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our customer support team at info@bendsoap.com if you have any further concerns or questions—they’re here to help.
If out and about manuka essential oil applied directly to stinky armpits deodorizes immediately. Holy basil (tulsi) also works but is a bit stronger.
When i found out my Bend Soap was not manufactured in Bend, Oregon, I was not happy. I had just purchased 12 bars of what i thought was from a business in Oregon, wanting to buy local. The soap I received did not have the cinnamon smell to the bar as the original bar i had gotten and i called to ask why. I was told all their soap was made the same…but they absolutely did not have the same strong cinnamon smell which was one of the reasons I was purchasing that particular bar. I was also informed my dozen bars came from the plant down south instead of the Bend location. I am still not happy with the lighter cinnamon scent…but i am continuing to use the dozen bars i originally ordered. Don’t know what i will do when these bars are all gone.