Sometimes, a good detox is just what you need and armpits are the next detox trend. If you want to learn how to detox your armpits, we tell you everything you need to know.

You’ve relaxed with a detox bath, tried red algae ionithermie, and even detoxified your face using the ancient Chinese practice of Gua Sha. Now, you may be wondering where to turn your attention for your next detox fix. Well, all trends point to your armpits! Yep—you read that right. Armpit detoxes are the next frontier in the quest to rid our bodies of harmful toxins. Specifically, armpit detoxes are said to make it quicker and easier to transition from conventional to chemical-free deodorant. But before we get into the details of how to detox armpits, we cover why you should use natural deodorant in the first place.

Making the Switch: Natural vs. Conventional Deodorant

If you’re reading this article, you likely made (or are thinking about making) the switch to natural deodorant. Maybe you want to rid your armpits from toxins used in conventional deodorants and antiperspirants and you’re ready to make the necessary changes to protect your body. That’s fantastic! But if you’re still on the fence, here’s why natural deodorant is the right choice for many health-conscious perspirers.

Chemicals and Carcinogens, Oh My!

Conventional deodorants and antiperspirants commonly include a synthetic smorgasbord of chemicals that are associated with sore throats, cancer, and more, depending on exposure levels and individual sensitivities. Antiperspirants, which block sweat rather than masking odor, also contain aluminum and other additives to clog pores and freeze your body’s natural capability to sweat. Below are some of the most common chemicals in conventional deodorants and their associated health risks.

• Aluminum: This is used in antiperspirants to cork your pores and prevent sweating (a natural and important function of your skin!). While the aluminum levels in antiperspirant products are often quite small, high exposure to the metal is linked to neurotoxicity, breast cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease.
• Parabens: This group of preservatives has been widely used in cosmetics and hygiene products for about a century. With a track record like that, you’d think they are completely harmless, but the Environmental Working Group has reviewed studies showing that parabens can cause endocrine disruption and reproductive harm in certain circumstances.
• Formaldehyde: This is a volatile organic compound and known carcinogen that can cause irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, and throat, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
• Phthalates: Like parabens, phthalates may be capable of disrupting hormones such as testosterone and thyroid hormones.
• Propylene glycol: This chemical can irritate skin and, when used in very high doses, potentially cause damage to your central nervous system.

While the scientific community doesn’t yet agree how or to what degree these chemicals affect human health when used in deodorant or antiperspirant specifically, the potential risks associated with them make an excellent case for switching to an alternative option like our natural spray deodorant. It contains no harsh chemicals, fragrances, or parabens for your peace of mind.

Hey, That’s My Microbiome!

Conventional antiperspirant or deodorant can alter the bacterial makeup of your armpits, making them naturally stinkier if you stop using the product. When you do, your natural microbiome reconstitutes itself over time and is likely why you’re more pungent as your body adjusts to the absence of conventional deodorant.

According to Healthline, one study showed that people who wore deodorant without antiperspirant ingredients like aluminum had more Staphylococci bacteria, and those who wore nothing at all had more Corynebacterium. On the contrary, when those who wore nothing started using deodorants with sweat-blocking ingredients, Staphylococci numbers decreased on the surface of their armpits. Between risking harm from synthetic ingredients and changing your skin’s natural microbiome, canceling conventional deodorant is starting to sound like a pretty good idea. There’s only one catch—the particularly smelly adjustment period we mentioned above.

What to Expect When You Switch to Natural Deodorant

The transition period is the part most people aren't warned about. While your body will adjust to a natural, aluminum-free deodorant on its own terms, there isn't anything you need to do to "release toxins" as your liver, kidneys, and lymph system already handle that. What you're really waiting on is your skin microbiome finding a new balance.

Everyone adjusts at a different pace, but a few weeks to a couple of months of extra sweat or odor while your body recalibrates is normal. Here's what actually helps during that window:

• Stick with it. The adjustment period is temporary, and going back and forth between conventional and natural deodorant tends to reset the clock.
• Wash daily with a gentle cleanser rather than anything harsh or antibacterial, which can disrupt the microbiome balance you're trying to establish.
• Dry off completely after a shower. Bacteria thrives in damp environments, so a fully dry underarm before getting dressed makes a real difference.
• Give it time before judging the product. A few days isn't enough to tell if a natural deodorant is working for your body; most people need a few weeks to see the real result.

Additional Tips and Tricks for Your Armpit Detox

If you’re determined to transition to natural deodorant no matter the olfactory cost, and you should be, there are more ways to make the process easier on your nose. None of them will shorten the timeframe or draw toxins out through your pits, but they may reduce the smell for yourself and those around you.

Drink More Water

This should go without saying for a wide variety of reasons, but make sure you drink enough water. It is the key to carrying nutrients to cells, excreting toxins, and replenishing your body’s moisture after a good sweat. In short, water is critical to every organ in your body, including the ones that are working hard to detoxify it!

Consider Your Diet

Some foods can actually alter your body odor. To make sure you’re not sabotaging your own armpit detox period, try eating a vegetarian diet and avoid onions and garlic by all means! What these common veggies do to your breath, they can do to your sweat. Yikes.

Dry Off Completely After a Bath or Shower

Harking back to grade-school biology, we know that bacteria love dark, damp places. It stands to reason, then, that you can minimize the odor-causing bacteria in your armpits by making it a less habitable environment for them.

Conclusion

The choice is clear if you are concerned about the synthetic irritants that abound in conventional deodorants and antiperspirants. Switching to a natural deodorant can restore your skin’s unique and delicate microbiome while reducing exposure to potentially harmful ingredients. We can’t recommend natural deodorant enough, but ultimately, an armpit detox mask won’t do much more than temporarily resolve foul body odors. And it certainly won’t draw out toxins through your dermal barrier or drain your lymph nodes. It’s best to leave those important jobs up to the experts—your liver, kidneys, and other detoxifying organs.