In an increasingly toxic world, more and more people are looking for natural remedies and easy ways to detox. If you’ve ever spent any time reading articles online or checking social media, you may have come across something called an armpit detox. Baking soda is a common ingredient in these recipes, but does it really do what people claim it does?
What is armpit detox?
An armpit detox is like an armpit face mask. This is a paste that is applied to the armpit area to remove toxins, chemical buildup, and odor-causing bacteria. Apply wet and let dry for a few minutes to allow the paste to absorb toxins and microorganisms. Then rinse everything off and pat dry.
People often try an underarm detox mask as part of switching from regular to natural deodorants. They believe it helps the body adapt to the lack of aluminum and other sweat-blocking chemicals found in traditional deodorants and antiperspirants.
Depending on the ingredients, an armpit detox may reduce skin irritation, armpit odor, or excessive sweating that can occur when your body adapts to a toxin-free deodorant.
Underarm pastes usually consist of natural absorbent or antibacterial ingredients that draw out toxins and kill bacteria. For example, baking soda, bentonite clay, cornstarch, and charcoal all help absorb toxins. Apple cider vinegar and essential oils balance microorganisms.
What are the benefits of baking soda underarm detox?
Although not recommended by dermatologists, an armpit detox may have some benefits.
Reduce armpit odor: Traditional deodorants can linger on the skin, blocking sweat glands and trapping odor-causing bacteria. Cleansing the skin, adjusting pH, and managing bacterial balance can all help reduce odor. Healthier skin microbiome: Using more acidic ingredients in detox pit pastes can help restore your skin’s natural microbiome. Promoting a healthy skin microbiome with the skin care products we use helps maintain a healthy barrier and protects against toxins. Reduced risk of breast cancer: Avoiding toxins near lymph nodes while supporting a healthy skin barrier may help reduce your risk of cancer. However, there is still no scientific evidence that armpit detox can help with this.
In general, reducing the burden of toxic substances while supporting a healthy microbiome can go a long way toward creating a healthy body.
How not to detox your armpits
The most popular underarm detox recipes call for mixing baking soda and vinegar. Although the chemical reaction (foaming) is impressive, mixing the two is not a good idea.
Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, which is an alkaline ingredient. Vinegar is acetic acid, which is obviously an acid. Therefore, acids and bases cancel each other out and do not detoxify your armpits in any meaningful way.
In fact, baking soda is highly alkaline (pH around 9), so using too much can disrupt your skin’s natural pH balance. (Human skin’s pH should be close to 5.0) If the pH becomes too alkaline, it can negatively impact the skin’s microbiome and increase body odor over time.
If you want to use baking soda to detox your armpits, it’s best to use it separately as an exfoliant. The abrasive action helps remove dead skin. However, it is important to use it only occasionally, as it can have side effects. Baking soda can dry and irritate sensitive skin and can do more harm than good.
Avoid applying Armpit Detox on freshly shaved skin as it can irritate the area. If you are concerned, it may be a good idea to do a patch test. Try applying baking soda paste to the inside of your arm and leave it on for an hour to avoid irritating your skin.
How to effectively detox your armpits
To detox your underarms, first mix the ingredients together to make a paste. A combination of bentonite clay and water or apple cider vinegar is best. Just like a face mask, apply it to clean, dry armpits and leave it on for 5-20 minutes. Once dry, wash off the mixture in the shower or with a warm, wet towel.
Adding certain essential oils to your underarm detox can also be helpful. Essential oils are more than just fragrances. Many of them are powerful antibacterial agents. Essential oils to consider include lavender, lemongrass, rosemary, and tea tree oil. Just add a few drops to the paste and mix.
Lymphatic massage is also effective. There are more than 20 lymph nodes in your armpits, but your lymphatic system doesn’t have a pump to keep them moving. That’s where massage comes in.
Once you’ve done your first underarm detox, it’s time to switch to natural personal care products. You can DIY your own homemade deodorant using coconut oil and other natural products. It contains magnesium, which helps restore the mineral balance in your underarms.
You can also find a variety of aluminum-free, paraben-free natural deodorants at your local natural food store. However, it’s important to read the ingredients, as they may contain synthetic fragrances, talc, lanolin, or other unwanted additives.
Best deodorant for underarm odor
Many natural deodorants on the market are not very effective. People complain about having to reapply throughout the day. So I decided to combine Wellness’s mineral deodorant. This deodorant uses natural ingredients to fight underarm odor without adding toxins.
Coconut oil and shea butter moisturize, while baking soda absorbs odors and toxins. It’s also pH-balanced, so it won’t irritate your skin like plain baking soda. Zinc ricinoleate from essential oils and castor oil also helps reduce odor. Plus, it has a pleasant palo santo scent. I love using it after a shower or underarm detox.
Have you done any kind of armpit detox? Did you notice any benefits? Share below!
