beauty

Now is the Best Time to Do An Armpit Detox

If you've always wanted to switch to a natural deodorant but have been a tad apprehensive about the potential armpit detox that comes with it (a.k.a the adjustment period where you may smell a bit funkier than usual as your skin's pH balances out), now is the best time to give it a go since, ya know, we're all spending more time at home.

For most people, we've heard that it can take anywhere between two to four weeks for things to level out. Until then, gently exfoliating your underarms once a week using a washcloth and a scrub can help mitigate the odor by clearing up dead skin cells (which bacteria feeds on).

Alright, ready to make the switch? Here are five of our favorite clean (read: formulas that, at a minimum, do not have any aluminum in them, but also don't include ingredients like chlorohydrate, parabens, propylene glycol and triclosan deos) to swipe now.

BS or Real Armpit Detoxing


Credo Beauty

Type: A Deodorant In "the Achiever"

First up, this sweat-activated cream deodorant that comes in an easy-squeeze tube and spreads smoothly over your underarm skin. We've worn this stuff in the dry heat of Palm Springs and the humid swamps of Louisiana and it's held up impressively in all conditions. You can get it in a fragrance-free version or a woodsy scent called Maverick, but we're big fans of "The Achiever," which leaves behind soft, minty fragrance.

Schmidt's

Schmidt's Here + Now Natural Deodorant Stick

Calling all people who break out at the mere mention of baking soda in their deodorant: This drugstore favorite uses natural magnesium instead of the aforementioned sodium bicarbonate (or other commonly used and potentially irritating ingredients such as aluminum and propylene glycol) to keep your pits dry. Loaded with coconut oil and shea butter and topped with soothing essential oils, it applies smoothly and keeps you smelling fresh for hours. Tip: Hold the stick under your arm for a minute before swiping it across your skin to warm up the formula and get a better glide.

Buy it ($8)

Dermstore

Agent Nateur Holi(stick) No 3 Deodorant

With spa-like scents of sandalwood and rose, this staff-favorite smells better than most conventional formulas. And thanks to its potent natural ingredients (like antimicrobial organic honey, which kills bacteria), it rivals their performance, too. Bonus points for the smooth consistency of the stick, which glides across skin so you don’t have to tug at your underarm while applying.

Sephora

Kopari Coconut Deodorant

Coconut meet charcoal. This non-toxic (and baking soda-free) blend has garnered quite the fan base in recent years thanks to its ability to keep your skin soft, dry and smelling like a tropical island in all temps. Packed with the aforementioned coconut and activated charcoal, it cuts down on odor-causing bacteria, while leaving your underarms silky smooth and not in the least inflamed. (TBH, we’ve found it in our beau’s dopp kit on more than one occasion.)

Dermstore

Ursa Major Hoppin' Fresh Deodorant

For a minty fresh feel and scent, this is your stick. Made with real mint and eucalyptus, it feels cooling upon application (which is particularly nice on a muggy day) and, more importantly, it keeps you smelling clean—even after an intense workout. Also, this Ursa Major formula doesn't streak or leave a white residue on your clothes, which is a major plus in our book.

Switching to Natural Deodorant 4 Things You Need to Know


Jenny Jin

Beauty Director

Jenny Jin is PureWow’s Beauty Director and is currently based in Los Angeles. Since beginning her journalism career at Real Simple magazine, she has become a human encyclopedia of...
read full bio

Why You Should Trust Us

PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.