So, in case the title didn’t give it away, today’s post is on an interesting topic, but hear me out before judging!

I get a lot of questions from people who try my homemade deodorant and have issues with rashes or odor or excessive sweat. I’ve found that magnesium spray deodorant can be a good alternative, but wanted to find a way to help those who were still having trouble.

After much experimentation, research, and help from a few brave friends, I found an unusual solution that works really well!

Detoxifying Armpits: Yes, It’s a Thing

It occurred to me as I sat researching the sebaceous glands one night with a bentonite clay face mask on that perhaps my face mask was the answer to the armpit question as well.

After all, I’d used bentonite clay to detox my hair before (and use it in my shampoo now) and in natural detox baths and it worked incredibly well… perhaps it would speed up the adjustment period to natural deodorant as well.

Why detox your armpits at all? Why not just keep using regular deodorant and avoid the whole problem? Glad you asked…

Conventional deodorants and antiperspirants contain a variety of chemicals and additives. It takes something unnatural to block the body’s natural ability to sweat, and the chemical list in some deodorants is impressive:

Aluminum– Some evidence links aluminum to cancer and Alzheimer’s Disease
Phthalates– Endocrine disruptors often also found in plastic that can cause hormone imbalance and even infertility (especially in men)
Propylene glycol– Common name: antifreeze. It is a hotly debated additive in personal care products but the Environmental Working Group reports that it carries a moderate risk of immunotoxicity and allergies
Formaldehyde- A known carcinogen… guess it kills the germs though
Parabens- Another hormone disruptor and parabens have been found in biopsied tissue with breast cancer
Antibacterial Substances- I talked about these before but they are endocrine disruptors and can negatively affect the immune system

Why is this a big deal? Ever gotten sick and had a lump in your neck or armpit? That is a lymph node and they are a major part of your immune system. Putting endocrine disruption chemicals directly on top of them is a great way to screw up your hormones and suppress immune function.

The skin is the body’s largest organ and what touches our skin can easily enter our bloodstream. With skyrocketing rates of breast cancer, it would seem prudent to avoid these chemicals until further research is done.

A great advantage to doing an armpit detox, besides that it helps speed up the natural deodorant adjustment period, is that it might help pull some of these chemicals out of the skin and tissue of the armpits. This can be especially helpful after years of conventional deodorant use. How to detox your armpits- and why you should

Does Armpit Detoxification Work?

I tried it personally and had several friends who hadn’t yet made the switch to natural deodorant try it as well and then switch. Here are the results:

We all noticed less odor, even without wearing any deodorant afterward
Nobody who tried the detox noticed a rash when using the natural deodorant
All but one person said they noticed less sweat
Everyone said they would recommend it to a friend

Completely un-scientific trial but practically applicable and the results seem promising!

How to Detox Your Arm Pits

Don’t you love when something is so easy that it almost doesn’t need instructions?

You might already have the ingredients on hand. You’ll just need bentonite clay, apple cider vinegar, and water.

How to detox your armpits, and why you should

Detoxifying Armpit Clay Mask Recipe

Reset your armpits to their natural working order with this simple clay mask.

Author Katie Wells

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Servings

Ingredients

1 TBSP bentonite clay
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1-2 tsp water

Instructions

Mix all of the ingredients in a glass bowl (do not use metal!) with a wooden or non-metal spoon until about the consistency of sour cream.
Spread in an even layer over the armpits and allow to sit for 5-20 minutes. I suggest starting slowly and working up to a longer period of time once you see how your body adjust. If it hurts at all, remove immediately.
This may cause some redness as it will increase blood flow to the area, but it will go away quickly.
Wash off in the shower or with a warm, wet washcloth.
Repeat daily or as needed until underarm odor goes away and natural deodorant is non-irritating.

Notes

I’ve found that I don’t even need the baking soda in my natural deodorant after doing this.

Additional Armpit Tricks to Try

If you are still struggling with odor or have itching or lumps in your armpits, consider dry brushing, which is said to help improve lymph circulation.

Also, make sure to drink a lot of water any time you stimulate lymph flow (dry brushing, massage, detox, etc) to help flush the body and avoid getting dehydrated.

Transitioning to Natural Deodorant

After detoxifying, keep armpits functioning properly by letting them sweat! I know this isn’t the most socially acceptable (or the most pleasant at times), but I find that I experience less sweat the longer I use a natural approach.

DIY Armpit Care

If you have some coconut oil, shea butter, and a few essential oils on hand, you can probably make your own natural deodorant! It costs a lot less than natural deodorant in the store and works just as well. I’ve been experimenting with recipes for years and perfected a few different kinds:

How to Make Natural Deodorant (your basic recipe, customize the scent)
Natural Deodorant for Men: Best Kinds and How to Make Your Own
Spray Deodorant Recipe (just a preference thing as to how it’s applied)
How to Make a Probiotic Deodorant Bar (Easy Recipe)

I make up several jars (or bars) at a time since they keep for up to a year or more. That way I always have some on hand. These are great too for teens who are just starting out on the journey!

Where to Buy Deodorant

I’ve also found my favorite brands to buy over the years (because life gets busy!). Here are our favorites:

Wellnesse Mineral Deodorant – Part of my personal care line, we created our natural deodorant off of my tried and true DIY recipe. We formulated it with those in mind who are sensitive to baking soda and it has rave reviews from both men and women.
Crunchy Betty’s Kokomo Cream – This deodorant has been a great standby for years. It smells lightly tropical and reminds me of vacation and the beach!
Schmidt’s (any scent, but this one is great) – goes on smooth, and slightly more affordable than other natural options

That’s it! Enjoy your new stink-free armpits!

This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Ann Shippy, who is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and a certified Functional Medicine physician with a thriving practice in Austin, Texas. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.

Your turn. Ready to try an armpit detox? Think it’s too weird? Share below!

Find out how to detox your armpits and why you'd want to. Deodorant often contains chemicals like parabens, propylene glycol and other harmful chemicals.

Sources

Become a VIP member!

Get access to my VIP newsletter with health tips, special deals, my free ebook on Seven Small Easy Habits and so much more!

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

691 responses to “How to Detox Your Armpits”

Janelle

June 17, 2015

Hi Katie, I’m trying to phase out my liquid foundation containing aluminum after noticing that while working out, no sweat forms on my face. Do you have any suggestions for detoxing facial skin to help clear pores and any residual chemicals from long term conventional makeup use? Thanks for all the work you put into your blog — I’ve gained so much from your experience and insights. 🙂

Reply
1. Wellness Mama
  
  June 17, 2015
  
  You could try this mask: it gently detoxing and is just generally really good for your skin 🙂
  https://wellnessmama.com/2880/mud-mask-recipe/
  
  Reply
Emily

June 17, 2015

I’ve been using this detox once a week for 3 weeks now and it really has made a difference in my BO. However, I noticed the skin of my armpits has been peeling off. There is no pain or rash associated with this so I haven’t discontinued the practice. Has anyone else noticed their skin peeling off?

Reply
Dom

June 17, 2015

Is this ok to try while breastfeeding? I know normal detoxing isnt recommended and since the armpits are near the breasts just want to make sure I won’t be releasing anything that could enter my milk.

Thx!

Reply
1. Wellness Mama
  
  June 17, 2015
  
  I would avoid it for right now 🙁
  
  Reply
Destiny

June 17, 2015

Could you use activated charcoal in place of the clay? I am wanting to do this and don’t have the clay at the moment.
thanks in advance!

Reply
Jennifer

June 4, 2015

Thanks for this great post! I have a quick question… Are you supposed to USE the natural deodorant between the arm pit cream “masks”? or don’t use deodorant at all during this detox process?

Also, what’s the approximate amount of time (days) one might expect to have to do this process? (understanding that it’s different for everyone.)

Thanks for your help!

Reply
Lianne Dowse

May 30, 2015

Hi Katie, I’ve only recently discovered your website and I absolutely love it, this past week I have made so many of your natural beauty and home products and love every one of them. I have a question about detoxing armpits! Is the apple cider vinegar a crucial ingredient? My digestive system doesn’t react well to ACV and whilst the clay will be applied externally in the detox, I am concerned that it may cause me issues. Any advice will be greatly received. Thanks x

Reply
1. Katie – Wellness Mama
  
  May 31, 2015
  
  You could definitely use water
  
  Reply
lisa

May 27, 2015

Would French Green Clay be an acceptable replacement for the benzonite clay? Thank you

Reply
moliver

May 17, 2015

I suffer from a condition called Hidradenitis suppurativa under my arms (TMI alert) which causes painful cysts which then rupture and create a deep hole in my skin as the condition causes “tunnels” in the skin under the cysts. These holes often stay open for months at a time.

I gave up conventional antiperspirants and deodorants years ago as everything I’ve ever tried has made the condition worse. I have two questions – do you think it would be a bad idea to try this detox on an armpit with an open wound and is there anything possibly irritating or comedogenic about it that may cause my condition to flare?

Thanks so much for your support as I will try anything to try to make this painful condition better!

Reply
1. Mary
  
  May 18, 2015
  
  Hi Moliver:
  
  I suffer from the same condition, and I will share my experience. I posted a couple of weeks ago that I tried the detox. I did not get any reaction or pain under my arms, but much of the rest of my body broke out in a raised red welp/rash (stomach, chest, thighs, forearms). The rash went away after about 3 hours. I do not know if it was in any was associated with the HS. I used redmond clay in the detox recipe. I regularly use this in a bath and have never before experienced any reaction. So, I am not sure if it was the ACV or perhaps the concentration of leaving it packed on for 20 mins in such a sensitive place.
  
  I too have tried everything. The best solution for me has been to use magnesium spray, but even with the magnesium spray, I will have an itchy red rash (not the HS cysts) every 4-6 weeks. Interestingly, my HS is MUCH better with diet (no gluten, no sugar, no nightshades – potatoes, peppers, eggplant, tomatoes), but even a tiny amount of any of those things sneaking in will, for me, cause an HS breakout.
  
  Reply
  1. moliver
    
    May 28, 2015
    
    Thanks for the feedback, Mary! I’ve read much about HS and many people have mentioned that gluten/sugar free really helps. It makes sense as I’m a sugar/gluten addict and I keep trying to get up the nerve to give them up. Meanwhile I was doing better for quite some time when suddenly about a month ago I got a huge cyst which ruptured and now won’t stay closed. I’m taking tumeric supplements which are supposed to help and they do seem to be closing the sore regularly but it keeps re-rupturing. You would think that would be enough to get me to change my diet but sugar addiction is a powerful thing:(
    
    Anyway, I’m still not sure if I should try this with an actively open cyst or wait till it’s more settled. Either way, I do intend to try it!
    
    Reply
    1. Mary
      
      November 30, 2015
      
      Moliver:
      
      I hope you are having some good success. I did want to share that while diet change is not immediate in alleviating HS, it DOES work. I have been over 10 months now without a cyst and can even eat a nightshade or two now and then. Your gut will need time to heal, and the food triggers can be different for different people. It took me about a year and a half to heal my gut. Using a good natural deodorant helps too.
      
      Reply
    2. Tara
      
      June 26, 2016
      
      For the sugar addiction, check out the BrightLines program by Dr. Susan Pierce Thompson.
      
      Reply
Cindy

May 13, 2015

Okay i have read every comment and i have a couple of questions. Where and how much is the bentonite clay in local stores? and is it the baking soda that causes the rash and dark armpits? i have been using the homemade deodorant for over two months and begin to notice the dark pits and now rash that burns. i used coconut oil, arrowroot powder, baking powder and essential oil………….HELP!!!!!!!!!

Reply
1. Aimee
  
  May 22, 2015
  
  I found my bentonite clay at my local grocery store. It is a small, organic and natural store that sells everything from local produce to supplements. I paid $11.50, but I found it on Amazon for about the same price. You just want to make sure it’s good quality.
  The baking soda is usually the culprit when you end up with a rash and/or burning. I used to get the pain and rash, until I did the detox. Now I don’t have any reaction to my homemade deo. Good luck!
  
  Reply
  1. cindy
    
    May 29, 2015
    
    Thanks Amie you were right it was the baking soda! I made a new batch using only a half of teaspoon of baking soda and it works like a charm. No more dark spots or this stinking smells! This has been a loooong process (well about 3 months) but it’s worth it! I didn’t do the detox with the clay and now i am odor and rash free…Yay! Who knows if i would have done the detox with the clay first i may have not gone through this process but anyhoo it ALL works together for me good. In all things Patience is the key and my patience finally paid off. thanks Wellness Mama for this blog and everyone that comments
    
    Reply
  2. Megan
    
    June 13, 2015
    
    Would you mind putting the link down for which one you bought from Amazon? There are so many!
    
    Reply
Katie

May 11, 2015

Hey! I thought I would share my new discovery with you! I am one who completely detoxed and no longer use deodorant. I have only been using white vinegar to cover up underarm odor. However, I still tend to have to re-apply quite often, and the odor can get pretty intense, especially when I drink coffee. I eat an all organic/natural diet, but I will admit I don’t eat as many greens as I should. Anyways, my husband bought us some of that new Cashew Silk the other day. And girl, I have been drinking maybe one cup a day for about three days….and I have had NO ODOR!!!! Hallelujah!!! I drank 2 cups of coffee this morning, AND did 30 minutes of exercise….and I still smell great!!! I am spreading the word! 😀

Reply
1. Jenna
  
  May 19, 2015
  
  Hi. You say that you don’t eat as many leafy greens as you should, and leafy greens contains protein as well as many other vitamins. The SILK milk your husband bought is a good source of protein .. I m curious, are you vegan?
  
  Reply
Jon

May 11, 2015

Pure organic lemon juice from an organic lemon works well as a deodorant too. Just rub held a lemon under your arms. Keep in fridge and cut off 1 small slice daily until it’s used up.

Reply
Mary

May 4, 2015

Like so many others who have posted on this forum, I periodically get an itchy red rash under my left armpit (I am right handed). I have not used commercial deodorant for over a year now, and it happens every few weeks. I have tried multiple organic deodorants, both homemade and store bought. Many seem to work fine, but a few weeks later I get the itchy red rash again. I eat VERY clean: no gluten, no sugar, organic fruits and veggies when possible with no nightshades, and only grassfed meats. I tried the armpit detox this weekend, and I did not have any pain under my armpits while using it. While showering and rinsing it off, however, I noticed HUGE red welps on my stomach, forearms, and legs. These went away a few hours later, but I was totally freaked out! Any ideas????

Reply
Jonikas

May 3, 2015

hi.. Thanks for the information. I have CFS/ME which can cause swollen lymph nodes but this is extraordinary. 🙁 For several years now ive been devloping swollen, painful lymph nodes under both arms with they’ll swell even bigger and hurt like he_l if i use my arms for anything. I’ve been xrayed & ultrasounded and they say there’s no cancer in either my breasts or lung, thank God.
I am scheduled for surgery to remove these horrible lymph nodes sometime later this summer and am wondering if the detox could help me too as I already have a compromized immune system due to the ME.
The cysts/swollen nodes are anywhere from palm-sized to pea-sized and they cause a great deal of pain and swell up more if I do anything with my arms (ie:shopping, housework, applauding at a concert, holding my grand babies – anytime I use my arms. I am DESPERATE for help as I really don’t want these nodes (healthy or not!) removed from my body. I also have a disabiliting level of chronic pain due to Fibromyalgia and cannot be touched without severe pain, so a lymphatic drainage massage isn’t a possibility. Thnak you for any help you could give me with this. <3
Iventried

Reply
1. Terry
  
  June 5, 2015
  
  Jonikas, If you can get a mini trampoline you can do rebound exercise on it. I understand the Fibro thing. This is the gentlest form of exercise you can do with Fibro. AND, it automatically cleans out your WHOLE lymphatic system! Research it, it’s amazing. Start slowly. Probably wouldn’t hurt for you to do a gentle cleanse like Dr. Natura’s. If you can find a good Dr. to check your adrenal glands, do so. There seems to be a big connection to them and Fibro. Try cleansing baths with the clay also. You want to try and cleanse before you let them resort to surgery! Best of luck!
  
  Reply
2. Carla
  
  October 24, 2017
  
  I also have ME and many of the same issues as you do. I tried the rebounder and it made me so sick I had to stop. It really does help the lymph system drain, but I just couldn’t tolerate it myself. I can’t even tolerate the dry brushing or massage either. As for the detox, it has been working for me with the swollen lymph nodes, but if you don’t cut out sugar and processed foods it won’t work long term. I don’t know how your diet is, but changing mine has worked wonders for the painful lymph nodes and I’m hoping that the detox does the rest. Good luck.
  
  Reply
Amy

April 28, 2015

Hi – so, I’m back. I starting detoxing my pits about 6 weeks ago. I used this method daily for about 10 days and now I do it once or twice a week. I played around with Primal Pit Paste formulas and finally found the kid’s Orange works best (thanks, whoever posted that). So here are my current questions:

1) I got a bad almond shaped horizontal rash in my left pit that has turned into almost a coffee-stain birthmark look. It’s still there, 6 weeks later. Is this permanent now? I have a smaller one in my right pit, more the size of a quarter, it’s been there for less time. Has anyone else had this happen?

2) I still have BO but only in my right pit – my left doesn’t smell at all. Is that weird?

Reply
1. Jenna
  
  April 28, 2015
  
  Pretty sure it was me who posted the orange 🙂 The smell on the right side also happened to me, the best thing to do is just give it time…after a few months mine has gone away. possibly start taking detox baths. Add a few drops of essential oils to your bath and let your pits soak. After the orange ( I went through 1 in a half tubs of orange) before I moved on to something stronger. I wanted something stronger for summer so I am using royal and rogue stick version and its working really well for me. I chose it because of all the different essential oils in it and I figured since its for a man it would likely do the trick. But it maybe too strong for others? since you already have a rash I am unsure …
  
  Can you pinpoint exactly when the rash showed up? Is it painful at all? It could be from the alkalinity of the baking soda +apple cider vinegar + bentonite clay maybe too much. I would cut back on the detox maybe and see if it goes away, the slowly start adding it back in see if it goes away. PPP also has a Pit Primer … I think it could be your skin adjusting to the alkalinity. They also have a sage one for sensitive skin types maybe you can alternate between those? Everytime I use the bentonite clay I get really red, it may just be too much for them. I am sure it will go away with time … but if not possibly think about seeing a doc for it just to check up.
  
  Reply
  1. Amy
    
    May 15, 2015
    
    That’s right! Thanks for the info.
    
    Well – I solved my issue. It was Primal Pit Paste – it simply does not work for me. I saw on a blog that No End Naturals on Etsy had a probiotic natural deodorant and that was the trick! One application and I don’t smell at all anymore. Whew! Throwing away the Mitchum for good.
    
    Reply
    1. Jenna
      
      May 19, 2015
      
      Oh I heard about that! in fact I was going to buy that same probiotic one on Etsy .. which scent do you use??
      
      Reply
Terri

April 22, 2015

This works!! Thank you Katie! It took about 5 times and then I started spraying with ACV after my shower and when it dries I spray with magnesium oil that has tea tree oil and lavender oil in it. I had a real problem with BO. It’s is GONE!!!!! I am so excited!!!

Reply
Ginger

April 15, 2015

Katie, I wondered if you recommend doing the armpit detox for a number of days BEFORE starting with natural deodorant? Or should I begin both at once? Obviously once I start the detox, I know I shouldn’t go back to conventional deodorant at all. But I wasn’t sure if you have a recommendation on how many times or days to do the detox before starting use of natural deodorant? Thank you. Your website is such a huge help to our family. What you do matters. Thank you, thank you!!

Reply
stephanie

April 8, 2015

I’ve been using my own homemade deodorant for about 2 mos. (coconut oil, arrowroot, tea tree oil, bees wax, etc.) About every 2 weeks I get a burning rash in my pits. I try to use my old brand deodorant to get relief, but then I get painful lumps in my pits. I go back to the homemade stuff and repeat the cycle.
I don’t really know what’s going on, are the lumps from the rash (are the lymph nodes fighting bacteria?) or are the lumps from going back to the store bought deodorant?
I’m miserable!

Reply
1. Jenna
  
  April 10, 2015
  
  I would definitely say its from the store bought deo. It sounds like just as your body is getting rid of the toxins you go ahead and apply the chemical deo. You should fully detox and stick with it. If you get inflammed then its time to make a new batch of deo, and use less baking soda and tea tree. You can maybe make like a super light version of your deo, one without baking soda ( or very little) and no essential oil. You can also just use coconut oil for the time being and the rash will subside. The worst thing you can do is put chemicals on inflammed pits… xx good luck
  
  Reply
Anna

April 2, 2015

Tried this and liked it! Now I plan to do it once a week or so.

About six months ago, I switched to an all-natural homemade deodorant that I loved, but after about three months developed an allergic reaction to it so I decided to stop using any deodorant for a week to hopefully calm down the irritation then try again. Surprisingly I found that I no longer needed deodorant at all!

At first I thought the deodorant was still in my system somehow, but I haven’t used it since January and it’s still fine. I like this idea of detoxing so that, even though I don’t use deodorant, I can get rid of any toxins that could cause me to need it again. Thanks!

Reply
Shauna

March 23, 2015

I have been using natural deodorant for years now, so I don’t need this for transitioning purposes, but I feel like I always smell. Even after a shower I still kind of smell. Do you think this will help with that? Or is this mostly for natural deodorant newbies?

Reply
Ruth

March 23, 2015

Would this be safe to do while breastfeeding? Or would toxins be released into my milk also?

Reply
1. Wellness Mama
  
  March 23, 2015
  
  I’d be careful if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
  
  Reply