Why Your DIY Baking Soda Deodorant is Causing a Skin Reaction
(POST UPDATED: September 12, 2018)
An overwhelming amount of comments and mails from readers prompted this post, and since it was first published in 2012, it has been visited by almost half a million people – all looking for answers as to why they are experiencing skin reactions from using deodorant with baking soda.
The skin reactions you've written me about have consisted of everything from 'a slight discoloration of armpits' to 'ending up in hospital with a 6 month recovery period.'
If you are looking for tips to relieve your rashy pits, please scroll to the bottom.
If you are looking for explanations as to the whys and hows, please read on.
Deodorant Ingredient Misconceptions
Misconceptions about deodorant ingredients have taken on a life of their own in recent years. Some of these misconceptions have frightened people away from commercial deodorants and prompted experiments with all kinds of alternatives – the most common (and damaging) being DIY deodorant (or purchased 'natural' deodorant) featuring baking soda as the active ingredient.How it has become generally accepted that a deodorant with baking soda is more 'natural' and 'chemical-free' than a deodorant using other active ingredients is a bit of a mystery to me, but let's leave that discussion for another post.
There are 2 main misconceptions about 'natural deodorant' with baking soda that have been circulating so long, they are perceived as truth.
Natural Deodorant Misconception 1: Naturally Procured Baking Soda is Safer/Better/More Natural than Industrial Baking Soda
Baking soda is baking soda. There isn't one type that is more natural than another.
Regardless of the production process, all sodium bicarbonate has the same chemical formula: Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O → 2 NaHCO3
Even if it starts life as 'a naturally mined soda ash', it is neither milder, more gentle or a different grade of sodium bicarbonate. It has exactly the same properties, same chemical formula and same strength.
The MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for sodium bicarbonate warns of the following symptoms with prolonged exposure of baking soda to the skin:
Sound familiar?
If you are experiencing rash, discomfort or any other reactions to your baking soda deodorant, it is NOT because your body is detoxing – it's because you are applying an unhealthy concentration of baking soda to your armpits!
A professional knows which ingredients will work and how to combine everything so it is best tolerated. A professional will create a functioning product that doesn't require 'a detox period'!
Below is the ingredients list for Arm & Hammers Ultra Max Baking Soda Deodorant. I've listed the ingredients in descending order (read: the first ingredient is what there is most of, the second is what there is second most of, etc). I've also added a super short description after the INCI name of each ingredient.
Even if it starts life as 'a naturally mined soda ash', it is neither milder, more gentle or a different grade of sodium bicarbonate. It has exactly the same properties, same chemical formula and same strength.
Natural Deodorant Misconception 2 : The Detox Hoax
Many people have gotten the idea that it is necessary to go through a 'detox period' when you switch from commercially made deodorant to a deodorant with baking soda.
This 'detox period' is described as having the following symptoms:
- rash
- redness and/or discoloration
- leathery skin
The MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for sodium bicarbonate warns of the following symptoms with prolonged exposure of baking soda to the skin:
- rash
- redness
- dry, cracked skin
Sound familiar?
If you are experiencing rash, discomfort or any other reactions to your baking soda deodorant, it is NOT because your body is detoxing – it's because you are applying an unhealthy concentration of baking soda to your armpits!
But There Are Commercially Made Baking Soda Deodorants (I hear you thinking)
You're absolutely right, but there is a reason the industry hires professional cosmetics chemists/scientists to formulate their products.A professional knows which ingredients will work and how to combine everything so it is best tolerated. A professional will create a functioning product that doesn't require 'a detox period'!
Let's Compare, Shall We?
Let's dissect the ingredients list of a commercially made baking soda deodorant and compare it to a typical DIY baking soda deodorant.Below is the ingredients list for Arm & Hammers Ultra Max Baking Soda Deodorant. I've listed the ingredients in descending order (read: the first ingredient is what there is most of, the second is what there is second most of, etc). I've also added a super short description after the INCI name of each ingredient.
Arm & Hammers Ultra Max Baking Soda Deodorant Ingredients
- Dipropylene Glycol: mixture of 3 chemical compounds with low toxicity that is often used as an additive to skin and hair care products
- Aqua: water
- Propylene Glycol: a chemical made by reacting propylene oxide with water that is often used as the main ingredient in commercial deodorants. (It does not cause sensitization and it shows no evidence of being a carcinogen).
- Sodium Stearate: the sodium salt of stearic acid – keeps the product from separating and has lubricating properties
- Fragrance
- Sodium Bicarbonate: Baking Soda
- Triclosan: an organic compound that can also be synthesized – an antibacterial and anti-fungal agent. (under review by the FDA and Health Canada)
- Tetrasodium EDTA: chelating agent that works by binding to metal ions and thereby inactivating them. Helps prevent deterioration and rancidity of the product.
- Allantoin: Comfrey Root Extract
- Ext D&C Violet 2 (CI 60730): pigments/coloring
- Green 5: coloring
Note that the baking soda is listed after the fragrance.
This is important, because fragrance is commonly about 0.5% in any leave-on product. For a deodorant, it would not exceed 0.5%.
But, let's be generous and say they've really poured on the fragrance and gone up to 1%. That would place the baking soda at or around 1% of the product.
This is important, because fragrance is commonly about 0.5% in any leave-on product. For a deodorant, it would not exceed 0.5%.
But, let's be generous and say they've really poured on the fragrance and gone up to 1%. That would place the baking soda at or around 1% of the product.
Now Let's Look at a Typical DIY Baking Soda Deodorant Recipe
- 75 grams (about 5 tablespoons) coconut (or other) oil
- 32 grams (about 1/4 cup) baking soda
- 32 grams (about 1/4 cup) arrowroot (or cornstarch or clay)
- essential oils of choice
- 32 grams (about 1/4 cup) baking soda
- 32 grams (about 1/4 cup) arrowroot (or cornstarch or clay)
- essential oils of choice
This has a whopping 23% baking soda.
I'll lay money that it is going to cause irritation to just about every armpit it is applied to. This isn't even the worst one I've seen. Some of these DIY 'recipes' call for up to 50% baking soda.
The amount of each ingredient matters – most particularly when you're talking about active ingredients!
The International Journal of Toxicology writes this about baking soda in cosmetics:
Neutral pH is 7
Skin friendly solutions are between pH 4.5 - pH 5.5
The downside: it is an irritant with prolonged skin contact.
If you still want to make and use your own baking soda deodorant, check the percentages of each ingredient in your formula (recipe). If necessary, adjust the amount of baking soda to under 1%. If you introduce liquids to your formula, remember to add a broad spectrum preservative.
If in doubt – ask.
If still in doubt – ask again, and then once more to be sure.
When you think you're ready – proceed with caution.
It's YOUR health – and you deserve the best and safest care.
Thanks for listening to this 'old mother hen'.
Now, take good care of yourself!
Find some FREE helpful tips to treat your tender pits right here
Visit the Deodorant FAQ Page
I'll lay money that it is going to cause irritation to just about every armpit it is applied to. This isn't even the worst one I've seen. Some of these DIY 'recipes' call for up to 50% baking soda.
The amount of each ingredient matters – most particularly when you're talking about active ingredients!
The International Journal of Toxicology writes this about baking soda in cosmetics:
"The cosmetic use of sodium carbonate at high concentrations is mainly limited to products designed to be diluted before use and in products where pH is buffered to near neutrality". (find more info here)
The pH of the Deodorant Matters Too
The pH of sodium bicarbonate is around 8.3Neutral pH is 7
Skin friendly solutions are between pH 4.5 - pH 5.5
Still Want to Make Your Own Deodorant Using Baking Soda?
It's understandable why baking soda is such a popular ingredient for deodorants. It is an excellent deodoriser, is cheap, and easily accessible.The downside: it is an irritant with prolonged skin contact.
If you still want to make and use your own baking soda deodorant, check the percentages of each ingredient in your formula (recipe). If necessary, adjust the amount of baking soda to under 1%. If you introduce liquids to your formula, remember to add a broad spectrum preservative.
It's All About You
Going the natural route and doing DIY products is great. But please gorgeous and wonderful people – before you start experimenting with your health – check and double check your facts.If in doubt – ask.
If still in doubt – ask again, and then once more to be sure.
When you think you're ready – proceed with caution.
It's YOUR health – and you deserve the best and safest care.
Thanks for listening to this 'old mother hen'.
Now, take good care of yourself!
Make Your Own Natural Deodorant
Make your own baking-soda free deodorant - there's a FREE how-to right here.100% Botanical Preservative-Free Deodorant
If you want to try making a 100% botanical, preservative free deodorant (with a 6 month shelf life!), I've developed 3 formulas that are included in this E-book (a complete natural cosmetics-making course-in-a-book for beginners).
Is The Damage Already Done From Baking Soda Deodorant?
Find some FREE helpful tips to treat your tender pits right hereVisit the Deodorant FAQ Page
Comments
As for using baking soda as a cleanser, this is indeed possible but do be mindful that it is abrasive on the skin and shouldn't be used more than once a week. It's a good idea to follow up with face oil after use.
:)
Water is not good if it contains chlorine & fluroide.
Like in the past doctors told us tobacco was safe - now it is concidered unsafe.
Thalidomide was considered safe - but it resulted in birth defects etc.
Sacchrin cyclamate aspartame - was all alleged to be safe but is now linked to cancer.
Like buyer beware, user beware and if a person wants to ingest detrimental items that is their sole perogative.
I'm glad you have found a solution that works for you.
Day one was great, no problem.
Day two, minor irritation.
Day three, slightly worse.
Day four, rash with bumps, burning and I think slightly swollen, though it could feel like that because of the rash.
I am actually using a sunburn treatment on it with Aloe, A and E and Lidocaine.
Kills most of the burn.
Most...LOL
Like you., I react to most synthetic scents while essential oils don't seem to bother me. I'm glad you pinpointed the problem in time!
Great article and wonderful replies to comments. I have reacted badly to two purchased natural deodorants over two years trying to persist with them not understanding what the issue is. Especially as the weather heats up at Change of season. Sometimes so badly that I would put a sheet of toilet paper under my Arm pits to prevent the skin resisting on each other and causing pain! I have found one I Australia that doesn't react from Moo Goo, but it's not as effective, so now that I know what the reactive ingredient is I can now search for another product or try your diy. A big thank you, as I hand been listening to those people who say the rash is a detox, I should have known better after it's been off and on for two years! A big thank you for all this info. Emma
I have to add though, that that I use a baking soda deodorant (with coconut oil and tea tree essential oil), and it works great for me. In fact, I've never had any better. The only thing I don't recommend- don't apply a baking soda deodorant on a freshly shaved armpit.
@Paulina - Thanks for sharing. I can only say I surely hope you never experience any reactions. Most people do, but maybe you will be one of the lucky few who can continue applying baking soda to armpits without issue.
2 tbs arrowroot powder
1 tbs baking soda
1 tbs coconut oil
1 tbs shea butter
No irritation.
I didn't even know for any other DIY solution with soda bicarbonate, so I was using just pure, 100% soda bic. as my deodorant, and it was a smooth ride, best deodorant I have ever used, well that was going on for 3 - 4 years until recently when my armpits start to getting red and irritated. I stopped using soda bicarbonate for a month and the rash was completely gone.. Then I tried it again and rash was back..so I guess I'm done with 100% soda bicarbonate for good. I'll try to check your suggestions and hopefully that will work...or I'll have to go back to commercial deodorants, sadly.
Great article btw!
Mitja
I love my DIY deodorant - I use coconut oil, corn starch and baking soda and lavender essential oil - sometimes I add vitamin e oil to it as well. I've tried to add beeswax but didn't care for the one I purchased but may try it again as the warm months are now here.
One tip that I have for those that want to try a DIY deodorant is to use an acne cleanser for your underarms. I use one that has salicylic acid and it definitely helps me with my underarm breakouts. It at least worked for me.
For those that can't do baking soda - I would try the coconut oil and corn starch mix. Just note that you might need to add it multiple times a day - which I had to do. BUT the difference between this and a stick of store bought deodorant - I actually felt great after applying. I smelled great and didn't have the weird "BO/sweat masked by deodorant smell".
And as someone noted in a previous comment - some may have issues b/c of shaving. I highly recommend shaving the night before instead of in the morning. Any underarm would get a breakout after having any kind of deodorant applied to it.
I'm thinking it's the propylene glycol.
So many positive reviews on baking soda deodorant. Only a small percent of people are experiencing these terrible side effects. People that have success with baking soda deodorant don't go around the internet writing blog posts and comments about it as much as people that are experiencing rashes with it. Bad news travels faster than good news.
I don't use the baking soda deodorant daily, as I haven't needed it as much. I've also been using essential oils on days I don't use baking soda. I haven't been as active lately, but in the past at the gym the baking soda deodorant would perform the best and longest for keeping odor away. I would still sweat a lot, as I normally do at the gym, but no odor. Better than any store bought brand from the big name companies. My friend tried like a dozen different store bought deodorants and got rashes a bunch of times and now he uses and loves baking soda deodorant and its the best.