When someone switches from an over the counter deodorant to a natural one there can be many questions in regards to having issues with rashes or odor. That’s where a thing called an underarm detox comes in. Detox your underarms you say? Why do such a thing?
Over the counter deodorants and anti-perspirants contain a large amount of harmful chemicals. It obviously takes something un-natural and man-made to block the body’s natural ability to sweat. (sweating needs to happen)
Harmful Ingredients
These are just a few of the harmful ingredients that you will find on the label of your over the counter deodorants and antiperspirants:
Aluminum– some evidence links aluminum to cancer. Aluminum is the ingredient in antiperspirants that keeps you from sweating. It actually clogs your lymph nodes, which is one of the main reasons your body needs an underarm detox.
Phthalates– Endocrine disruptors that can also be found in plastic. They can cause hormone imbalance and even infertility. They have also been shown to cause birth defects. Phthalates are most commonly hidden and found in perfume or “fragrance”.
Propylene glycol– common name: antifreeze. This ingredient is used in MOST personal care products you use. Go ahead check your labels and you will be shocked at how many products have this ingredient.
Formaldehyde– a known carcinogen.
Parabens– Another hormone disruptor.
Reason why
Some reasons you should detox your life and your underarms:
Lymph nodes are located throughout our body and they are a huge part of our immune system. When you put endocrine disrupting chemicals right on top of them it definitely messes up your hormones. The skin is the body’s largest organ and what touches our skin easily and quickly enters our bloodstream in 21 seconds or less. A huge benefit of doing an underarm detox, besides that it helps speed up the natural deodorant adjustment period, is that it might help pull some of these nasty and harmful chemicals out of the skin and lymph nodes. This is necessary after years and years of over the counter use of deodorants and antiperspirants.
Results
Some things you may notice after completing a detox are: (every one experiences different results)
Fewer odors even without wearing any deodorant, no rash when switching to natural deodorant, sweat less which in turn leads you to use less product.
What you need:
• 1 tablespoon bentonite clay
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (acv) – I recommend the powdered form.
• 1-2 teaspoons of water (paste like consistency)
• Charcoal soap
• Dry brush
Directions:
1. Begin by dry brushing your underarms in an upward stroke followed by your other hand. This helps to stimulate the lymph system and increase circulation.
2. Mix the acv, bentonite clay & water in a glass bowl (do not use metal!) with a wooden or non-metal spoon until you get a paste like consistency.
3. Spread in an even layer over the underarms and leave on for 5-20 minutes. Start slowly and work your way up to a longer period of time once you see how your body does with the bentonite and acv. If it hurts at all or stings, remove immediately.
4. There may be some redness in the area afterwards as it will increase blood-flow to the skin, but it will go away quickly.
5. Wash off in the shower or with a warm, wet washcloth and our charcoal bar soap.
6. Repeat steps 1-5 daily or as often as needed until under-arm odor goes away and natural deodorant is non-irritating. We recommend doing the underarm detox during a week where you don’t have to wear any deodorant. Also, note that we do NOT recommend alternating between natural deodorant and over the counter. This will make it so you have to start the detox over and also will make you have more odor.
Many times I get questions about why sweat has an odor and why someone may have yellowing on their clothes. Sweat is actually odorless and we all perspire at some point, it’s our bodies way of getting rid of toxins. What causes odor and the yellowing of clothing is actually bacteria living on the skin. Our sweat contains a compound called urea which causes the yellowing. The amount of urea your body excretes can vary depending on diet, hormones, medications and many other things. Each persons body is different.
You can find Dirty Girl Farms underarm detox kit here and the shea butter deodorant here.
XoXo
Mamabeartribe
Mama.Bear.Tribe 