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Natural Deodorant + Tips for Healthy (Arm)Pits
Self-CareWellness

Natural Deodorant + Tips for Healthy (Arm)Pits

written by alison wu July 25, 2018

Surprisingly enough, I talk about my (arm)pits quite a lot. I’ve always been a heavy sweater, so managing my underarm area feels like a part-time job. I feel like my friends and I are always talking about how to maintain healthy armpits and which deodorant we’re using to help the fight. I made the switch from antiperspirant to natural deodorant about 3 years ago. Sweating is the natural process of cooling and detoxifying your body. In short, it’s really good for you! By using antiperspirant regularly, you distrupt you body’s natural attempts to remove toxins, which can ultimately lead to adverse long-term health effects. It can also change the bacterial microbiome in your pits, causing an overproduction of bad bacteria. Translation: your sweat is smellier. By eliminating antiperspirants from daily use, you allow your armpits to recalibrate to their neutral state.

I’ve tried pretty much every single natural deodorant under the sun. After a year-long search, I landed on a brand that I liked only to find out late last year they were bought out by a large multi-national corporation with a history of testing on animals and with ties to rainforest degradation. For me, this was enough to say farewell. I have to admit, I was bummed that I had to start the search for a new natural deodorant. But luckily this time it didn’t take long! I stumbled upon milk + honey randomly, and after my first day of using their Baking Soda-Free Deodorant, I was hooked. No sweat, no smell, and I didn’t have to reapply throughout the day. I’m sensitive to baking soda (more on that below), but if you’re able to tolerate it, milk + honey also makes a Regular Strength and even an Extra Strength Deodorant. The Austin-based company is offering you guys 25% off any purchase on their site with code WU25. 

So let’s talk healthy pits! Here are my tips and insights for maintaining a favorable underarm situation:

1.) Wear natural fibers. There’s nothing that will make you sweat (and smell) more than unbreathable, synthetic fibers. Linen, cotton, wool and silk are all top choices. I’m also very conscious of how small the armholes are on the tops I buy. I hate feeling constricted in that area, so I almost always shop for tops that have a low-cut armhole.

2.) Drink plenty of water, and limit caffeine (especially coffee). When I was a coffee drinker, I noticed my underarm stench was wayyyyyy stronger than when I got off coffee. Something to think about. Maintaining healthy hydration has positive effects on all aspects of your skin, even your pits.

3.) Exfoliate. I do it every other day. My bath bar has built in exfoliation, but you could use a dry brush, a loofa or this luxurious body polish. Exfoliating your pits will leave them feeling soft, smooth and clean.

4.) Apply a small amount of apple cider vinegar, lemon juice or witch hazel to your armpits in order to neutralize bad bacteria. Let air dry. These are all natural antiseptics and sterilizers, so can be very helpful in combating underarm bacteria.

5.) Let them breath and dry out post shower. Before running to apply your deodorant, make sure your pits are completely dry. Bacteria loooooves moisture, so ensuring your underarms are dry before applying deod will keep them fresher for longer.

6.) Less is more. I know the tendency is to slather on the deodorant (or at least that’s my tendency…), but one good swipe of the deodorant bar up or down will do the trick.

7.) Try a clay mask for your pits. Doing this once a week or once every couple of weeks can help draw out impurities and detox your underarm skin. You can use the same clay mask you’d use on your face. Leave on for 10ish minutes and rinse off in the shower.

8.) Food affects all. A diet rich in alkalizing foods will help keep underarm stench away. Incorporate leafy greens and try supplementing with wheatgrass, or my personal fave, chlorella. Some foods that can contribute to a stronger underarm smell: animal proteins, garlic, onions, fermented foods and curries. Not that you should change up your diet at all, but on days you notice your underarm stench a bit stronger than normal, it could have to do with what you ate for dinner the night before.

9.) If you’re skin gets irritated from natural deodorant, give a baking soda-free deod a try. My underarms cannot tolerate baking soda. After about a month or two of use, I would get a red, itchy and painful rash under my pits. Since switching to baking soda-free deodorant, I’ve never had a rash.

10.) Remember: it’s good to sweat! The idea isn’t to stop sweating all together. We just want to cut down on the smell associated with sweating by detoxing our pits. Give your pits a break from deodorant once and while. Let them breathe and do their thing.

[This post is sponsored by milk + honey. All thoughts and opinions are my own.]

baking soda freemilk + honeynatural beautynatural deodorantnatural skin carepitssponsored
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9 comments

Desi July 25, 2018 - 8:34 pm

This is great! Thanks for sharing. Any other milk & honey products you recommend? I trust your vetting!

Reply
alison wu July 27, 2018 - 3:33 pm

I love the body polish, lip polish, bath and body oil and the bath soak. Enjoy!

XO

Reply
Cecile July 25, 2018 - 9:02 pm

Does this deodorant leave marks/ stain on clothes? Thanks!

Reply
alison wu July 27, 2018 - 3:30 pm

I haven’t found it stains my clothes. I also think it’s important when using oil-based products to remember less is more. You don’t need to slather a ton of this product under your arms. One simple swipe up or down does the trick!

XO

Reply
Jai July 25, 2018 - 9:44 pm

Sort of related…
I always have a problem of getting yucky yellow stains under the sleeves of my white tops/t-shirts (no matter what fiber they are made with). Do you have any knowledge of what to do for that?

Reply
alison wu July 27, 2018 - 3:32 pm

Hmmmm, that’s a tricky one. Using a good stain or spot remover usually works for me. I also favor clothes that aren’t super constricting in that area.

Reply
Amy July 26, 2018 - 10:21 pm

Love these tips!! I’ve been looking for natural deodorant that actually works for the past year and have yet to find one I love. I’ll definitely check them out!

Reply
Wendi July 28, 2018 - 2:02 pm

I just ordered some to try. I use Primally Pure now and I like it but sometimes feel like my pits are a little sensitive so I’m trying the regular strength to see how I like it. Thanks

Reply
Kelsey Gallegos August 2, 2018 - 2:41 pm

Love this post! On a different note, where is your top (bra) from in your cute pics? Thx! I love it!

Reply

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About Alison

About Alison

Alison Wu

With a focus on healthy recipes, self-care and total body wellness, Wu Haus is the place I share recipes, tips and inspirations that aim to empower and inspire people to take control of their health through daily practices that support overall well-being.

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Instagram

  • Got a hot date with my bestie! And even if
  • Well its officially that point in the winter when Im
  • SKIN FASTING! Starting a 7day skin fast today after reading
  • This is what Sunday mornings are all about! Sleeping in
  • Caturday hangs with my favorite boy WuHaus
  • Spicy Ginger Green Chai Latte recipe is now up on
  • Okay besides honesty good communication words of support lots of
  • A little peek at the officeden project Ive been working
  • Deconstructed soba noodle bowl giving me LIFE on a dreary
  • Toast with allllllll the toppings!  Couldnt decide between a
  • Homesweetsoup! Finally home and back on IG after a week
  • It may be 10 outside but Im enjoying some sunshine

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