Shopping Guide: Bicarb Free Deodorants For Sensitive Skin

Bicarb is extremely effective at eliminating armpit stink. Unfortunately, some people find that they are sensitive to the ingredient.

The good news is you don’t have to choose between aluminium or bicarb in your deodorant. Today, we’re giving you our tried and tested picks for natural, bicarb free deodorants.

First, what’s wrong with bicarb deodorant?

Sodium bicarbonate is the oft-irritating ingredient that usually takes the place of aluminium in natural deodorants. It’s great at controlling odours and absorbing moisture, and it’s non toxic, too. However, it can also cause redness, rashes, and itching, and can leave some people with dry, damaged skin.

This happens because bicarb is alkaline and, if used in high concentrations and left on skin for an extended period, it can damage the natural acid mantle that’s there to keep moisture in and irritants out. Some people are more sensitive to bicarb than others. If you’re one of these people, then you should probably just steer clear of deodorants with bicarb.

But don’t sweat it (pun intended!). There are plenty of other ingredients that will help reduce underarm funk.

Alternatives to bicarb in natural deodorants

These ingredients can be just as effective at eliminating odour and preventing wetness, but are more suitable for sensitive skin.

• Milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide)
• Apple cider vinegar
• Activated charcoal
• Tea tree oil
• Zinc (oxide or ricinoleate)
• Arrowroot powder
• Tapioca root starch
• Diatomaceous earth

Bicarb free deodorants for sensitive skin

Everyone’s skin chemistry is unique, so it may take some trial and error before you find the bicarb free deodorant that works best for you. But whether you prefer a solid stick, roll-on, paste, or spray, there’s sure to be at least one option that will give you all day protection from smelly armpits.

Deodorant sticks

• Schmidt’s Deodorant Stick – Sensitive Skin

Schmidt’s is one of the most popular natural deodorants in the market today, and rightfully so. The award winning formulation lets you smell good and feel good without aluminium salts, artificial fragrance, and other nasties. Instead of bicarb, magnesium hydroxide neutralises odours and arrowroot powder absorbs wetness. Application is a breeze—the texture is smooth and creamy, and it dries quickly. Just swipe and go!

Comes in five delightful scents: Coconut Pineapple, Lavender Tips, Jasmine Tea, Geranium, and Tea Tree. There’s also a Fragrance Free variety for hypersensitive skin.

Deodorant roll-ons

• Earth’s Purities Bicarb Free Deodorant

These 100% natural deos from Australian brand Earth’s Purities keep you odour free using apple cider vinegar, colloidal silver, and witch hazel. Bentonite clay and arrowroot powder help keep your underarms dry the entire day and won’t stain your shirts.

Comes in two variants: For Her lends a floral and citrusy scent from rose geranium, violet, lavender, and grapefruit. For Him is masculine and woodsy from frankincense, sandalwood, bergamot, and black pepper.

• Weleda 24 Hour Roll-on Deodorant

Weleda products are loved and trusted around the world, and these new bicarb free deodorants are no exception. The NaTrue certified formula lets skin breathe and won’t clog pores, and was designed to prevent irritation.

There are two variants: Citrus has a bright invigorating scent from lemon and Litsea cubeba. Men is woodsy and herbal thanks to vetiver and rosemary essential oils.

• Miessence Milk of Magnesia Ultrasensitive Roll-on Deodorant

With just four ingredients, this Miessence deodorant is perfect for ultrasensitive skin. The certified organic roll-on eliminates odour with magnesium hydroxide and soothes skin with aloe vera. Miessence is also vegan, cruelty free, and Australian made, so you can feel good about your purchase and smell great at the same time!

• Lavera 24 Hour Deodorant

Feel fresh for an entire day with these bicarb free deodorants from Lavera. The NaTrue and Australian Certified Organic roll-ons are free from parabens and synthetic fragrances, preservatives, and colours. Application is easy peasy. The deodorant dries quickly and the scent is subtle. If you wear a lot of black, there’s an Invisible variant that doesn’t leave marks on clothes.

Comes in Orange, Lime Verbena, Wild Rose, Sensitive, Fresh, and Invisible. There’s also a bicarb free one from the Basis Sensitiv line that doesn’t contain alcohol.

Deodorant pastes

• Black Chicken Remedies Deodorant Paste Barrier Booster – Sensitive Skin

Black Chicken Remedies makes a great natural deodorant paste for sensitive skin. This one has no synthetic fragrances, alcohol, triclosan, parabens, and other nasties. The formula is rich in lipids and fatty acids to strengthen skin’s natural barrier.

A little goes a long way with this paste, so a tiny jar should last you at least a month. It’s also a treat to use—completely invisible upon application and dries quickly so you can get on with your day. Made in Australia, cruelty free, and vegan.

• Woohoo! Body Deodorant Paste – Mellow

This version of the popular Woohoo! Body deodorant paste is your go-to if you’ve got hypersensitive skin. It’s formulated to be just as effective as the original, but was designed to be gentle on underarms. Unlike Urban (pink) and Wild (green), Mellow (yellow) contains no bicarb soda and no essential oils. The paste applies like a dream, is non sticky, and keeps you smelling good all day long. Did we mention this is Australian made, vegan friendly, and cruelty free?

Deodorant sprays

• Weleda Deodorant Spray

Weleda’s deodorant sprays were formulated to neutralise odour without disrupting your body’s natural detoxification process. These come in three variants (Citrus, Sage, and Wild Rose) and are free from aluminium salts, synthetic fragrances and preservatives, as well as ingredients derived from mineral oils. With their invigorating scents, these spray deodorants can also double as perfume.

• Lavera Deodorant Spray

Lavera’s spray deos are super easy to use and effectively zap BO with just a couple spritzes. These are NaTrue certified, cruelty free, vegan, and contain absolutely no aluminium, bicarb, or anything synthetic. Plant extracts and essential oils keep pit stink at bay and soothe skin. Comes in beautiful Lime Verbena, Orange, and Wild Rose scents.

If you’re looking for more info on making the switch to natural deodorants, have a look at some of these articles:

• How to Detox Your Armpits (So Natural Deodorant Will Work For You)
• Toxic Beauty – Deodorants
• How to Use Deodorants Safely During Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Safer Deodorant Cheat Sheet

Have you tried using bicarb free deodorants? Which ones worked for you?

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