I know many of you are probably thinking… “Really? Another detox?” I get it! From digital detoxes to cellular detoxes & juice cleanses, everyone seems to be talking about detoxing lately. But an armpit detox?? Huh?
Well, some people swear by it while others scoff… Will an armpit detox actually do anything? Who cares when you can just use antiperspirant?
And… how the heck do you detox your armpits anyway? 😂
Basics of Armpit Detox
Simply stated, an Armpit Detox involves applying a mask to your armpits, just like you would to your face. The mask usually contains charcoal or clay, and apple cider vinegar. The whole idea behind an armpit detox is to help you make the transition from antiperspirant to natural deodorant more quickly and easily.
If you’ve ever tried to make the switch before, you probably noticed that you sweat and stink more than ever the first few weeks after making the switch. It’s definitely not pleasant, but it’s normal.
In a study conducted by the NC Museum of Natural Sciences’ Genomics & Microbiology Lab, there was an increase of certain bacteria responsible for the ‘stink’ in the armpits of people who had just stopped antiperspirant. [1]
When you use antiperspirant regularly, the ingredients disrupt the natural microbiome on your skin. The beneficial bacterial get killed off, and the aluminum soaks in and interrupts the function of your sweat glands under your arms. Therefore, the natural cleansing activity of sweating out toxins from your lymph nodes stops. When you stop using antiperspirant, there will be an immediate increase in certain kinds of bacteria. Gradually, these stinky bacteria will be replace with more beneficial microbes. But, it takes some time!
Why Change to Natural Deodorant Anyway?
Let’s clear up the difference between antiperspirant & deodorant. Because the two are often used interchangeably (but shouldn’t be).
Antiperspirants are designed to stop you from sweating by blocking the function of your sweat glands. The aluminum soaks in and disrupts the function of the nerves controlling the sweat glands. Deodorant, on the other hand, just makes the sweat smell better by reducing odor-causing bacteria.
This is a key difference that many people don’t even realize!
And it leads us to one of the bigger reasons people choose to move away from antiperspirants. It turns out that stopping your body from sweating is not the best thing for your health. Sweating is a natural bodily process. If we can’t sweat, we can’t cool ourselves down as easily, which is a stress on the body.
Not to mention, antiperspirants significantly change your armpit’s microbiome by altering the bacteria that live there. Heavy metals (aluminum) and parabens are harmful for your good bacteria!
And, even if you’re using a deodorant (as opposed to an antiperspirant), many conventional brands include toxic ingredients (parabens, propylene glycol, and fragrance), which only adds to your body’s toxic burden. [2] 🙅♀️
What’s an Armpit Detox Supposed to Do?
An armpit detox claims to accomplish a few things. Let’s break them down and check for validity.
1. Balance your microbiome
This is perhaps the most important part of an armpit detox! Apple cider vinegar and charcoal (common ingredients in armpit detox masks) have naturally occurring antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. [3] [4] This will help bring the armpit’s pH back to its natural state, balancing your beneficial bacteria and hopefully reducing smell! It’s best to whip-up your own fresh armpit mask for best results, and I’ve included a recipe down below!
2. Pull toxins out of the body
If you’re wanting to support your body in eliminating toxins, an armpit detox is a worthwhile step. It’s not the only thing to do, however. You also need to move your body – jumping, bouncing, or running – and break a sweat to facilitate that. Rebounding on a trampoline is an excellent option because it supports your lymphatic drainage system and lets gravity do the work. (We love the Jumpsport brand if you’re looking to get started). Sweating daily is the most important thing!
We highly recommend you use a detoxifying supplement like SP Cleanse to assist on your detoxification journey. You should also consume plenty of foods good for liver function, like fresh red beets, cruciferous vegetables, garlic and turmeric.
3. Heal skin irritation
The aluminum in antiperspirants can cause skin irritation like rashes, and a good mask can certainly calm things down. Activated charcoal (a common ingredient in armpit detox masks) has antibacterial properties and has been shown to soothe irritated skin. You could also change up the recipe and add a little shea butter or coconut oil for extra moisturizing action.
Does it actually work?
The reality is there’s not a ton of scientific research proving that an armpit detox will help reduce sweat & odor. But there is plenty of anecdotal evidence. Meaning, yes, plenty of people feel its benefits even if it’s not validated with a double-blind study. If you’re looking to lower your toxic burden by switching to a natural deodorant, there’s a good chance an armpit detox will help you rebalance your microbiome.
How to make your own armpit mask…
If you’re ready to transition to natural deodorant here’s the DIY mask I recommend starting with…
DIY Armpit Mask
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar – We use Bragg’s for everything
1 Tbsp. bentonite clay – Redmond Clay is probably the most well known
2 tsp. water
Mix these ingredients together well. Then gently press the mask onto your armpits. Keep it on for about 15 minutes, then wipe clean. Repeat for 3 days in a row, and you should be good to go!
You can also purchase an armpit detox mask online. But do note that most store-bought masks don’t contain apple cider vinegar, which is the most important ingredient, in my opinion!
The bottom line
Everyone experiences the unpleasant smell during the transitional period when switching from antiperspirant to natural deodorant. But it won’t stay like that forever!
Whether you choose to try an armpit detox after hopping off the antiperspirant train or not, those “sweating like crazy” days will end, eventually. Just give your body some time to rebalance. It’s easiest to do this process in Winter when you can wear a t-shirt under a sweater. No one will know you’re sweating!
If you’re trying to detox in the Summer, you’ll want to only wear dark shirts with a pattern. Light colored solid shirts will show your sweat completely. You may need to tucked toilet paper in the sides of your bra to absorb the sweat, or look for an underarm pad designed for this purpose.
Several natural deodorants I recommend:
The most important thing is to check the label for no aluminum, parabens, fragrance, triclosan, talc, or propylene glycol.
- Primally Pure Charcoal Deodorant – may contain baking soda
- Piper Wai Charcoal Deodorant
- Schmidt’s Lavender & Sage Deodorant – may contain baking soda that can be irritating
- Real Purity Roll On – with lavender and rosemary essential oils – Claire’s favorite!
- Native Coconut & Vanilla Deodorant – some formulas may contain baking soda and fragrance
There are plenty of options out there when it comes to keeping your armpits fresh. Hopefully this will help you find a natural winner!
Resources:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4741080/
- https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2019/june/deodorant
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323721#antibacterial-properties
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5788933/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6773238/#:~:text=For%20instance%2C%20sweat%20glands%20are,and%20toxicants%20from%20the%20body