Why Do Natural Deodorants Not Work For Me?

Why Do Natural Deodorants Not Work for Me?

Have you wanted to make the switch to natural deodorants but feel like you've tried every one out there—and none of them work? You're not alone, and you're not doing anything wrong. Many people go through a frustrating trial-and-error process, only to feel defeated when natural options either irritate their skin, don’t control odor, or leave embarrassing stains.

But there’s a reason for this, and I want to help break it down for you.

My Journey with Natural Deodorants

When I first started exploring natural deodorants, I tried a variety of DIY recipes I found online. Most of them used the same core ingredients—like coconut oil, shea butter, baking soda, and arrowroot powder—but the measurements were tweaked slightly or one extra ingredient was added, claiming to be the game-changer. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.

Sometimes the recipes were too soft and melted under my arms; other times they were rock hard and difficult to apply. Some left my underarms oily and damp, staining my clothes, while others caused irritation or didn’t mask odor at all. One particularly unpleasant reaction involved a burning red rash that felt like tiny paper cuts—ouch!

If any of this sounds familiar, you’re in the right place.

A Deeper Understanding Through Education

After experiencing countless failures, I decided to go deeper. I pursued formal education in natural and organic skincare formulation and earned diplomas in skincare, body care, hair care, and natural makeup formulation. Through this journey, everything finally started to make sense.

The problem isn’t you. It’s that most natural deodorants aren’t tailored to different skin types, sweat levels, or sensitivities. Just like no one moisturizer works for everyone, deodorants shouldn't be one-size-fits-all either.

Why Natural Deodorants May Not Work for You

Here’s a breakdown of common issues and what they might mean for your body:

1. Redness, Irritation, or a Burning Sensation

If your armpits (or just one) become red, itchy, or feel like they're burning or cut, this is often due to baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). While baking soda is great at neutralizing odor, it's also alkaline and can throw off the skin’s natural pH balance—especially in the delicate underarm area.

Solution: Switch to a baking soda–free formula. Look for soothing ingredients like kaolin clay, arrowroot powder, cornstarch, magnesium hydroxide, or allantoin.

2. Persistent Wetness

If your underarms feel moist all day, the deodorant likely lacks enough absorbing ingredients. Natural deodorants don’t block sweat glands (which is a good thing), but they should help absorb the moisture your body produces.

Solution: Look for formulations with ingredients like arrowroot powder, kaolin clay, cornstarch, magnesium hydroxide, or zinc oxide, which are excellent natural absorbents.

3. Ongoing Odor

If odor lingers even after applying natural deodorant, it’s likely due to inadequate odor-neutralizing ingredients. This is also related to the transition period your body undergoes when switching from antiperspirants to natural deodorants.

Most commercial antiperspirants contain aluminum salts that plug sweat glands and temporarily stop sweating. Natural deodorants allow your body to sweat (as it should), but this can temporarily lead to a buildup of bacteria that was previously trapped. As your body adjusts and detoxifies, this may cause stronger odors for the first week or two.

Solution: Give it time—but also ensure your deodorant contains effective deodorizing ingredients like baking soda (if tolerated), magnesium hydroxide, activated charcoal, or essential oils like tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus, and lemongrass.

Why I Created Four Different Deodorants

After learning all this and still not finding a solution that worked for me, I decided to formulate my own deodorants. Why four? Because one formula simply does not work for everyone.

Here’s how I designed them to meet different needs:

1. Balanced Baking Soda Formula

This version contains a reduced amount of baking soda to minimize irritation, paired with cornstarch to soothe and absorb moisture. It’s ideal for those who want the odor-fighting power of baking soda but tend to react to higher amounts.

2. Baking Soda–Free, Sensitive Skin Formula

For those who can’t tolerate any baking soda, this version includes kaolin clay, cornstarch, and allantoin—a trio that offers excellent sweat and odor absorption while remaining gentle on sensitive skin.

3. Vegan Formula with Candelilla Wax

This is a vegan option made with candelilla wax instead of beeswax. It contains baking soda and cornstarch, so it's not suited for those with baking soda sensitivities—but is great for vegans who want an effective natural alternative.

4. Ultra-Absorbent, Baking Soda–Free Formula

This powerful blend includes kaolin clay, arrowroot powder, and magnesium hydroxide for maximum absorption and odor control without any baking soda. It’s ideal for heavy sweaters or those who struggle with persistent body odor but need a gentle formula.

Final Thoughts

If you've tried switching to natural deodorant and feel like nothing works, don't give up yet. It’s not a matter of just picking any natural deodorant off the shelf—it's about finding the right formulation for your body.

Understanding your skin type, your level of sweat, your odor concerns, and your ingredient sensitivities is key to choosing a product that supports your transition and keeps you fresh and confident.

And remember—sweating is natural and healthy. You’re not supposed to stop sweating altogether. The goal is to manage moisture and odor in a safe, skin-loving way.

Need help finding the right natural deodorant for you? I’m happy to guide you based on your personal skin needs and preferences. Feel free to reach out or explore the full range of deodorants I’ve formulated with love, care, and science.