Why Some People are More Sensitive to Baking Soda than Others

Baking Soda might be the most common ingredient in natural deodorant, but some of us are more sensitive to its strength than others. 

Baking soda has several beneficial properties when it comes to your natural deodorants. Baking soda has the power to absorb excess moisture from the underarms, and it can kill odor causing bacteria. Basically the two main reasons why you would use deodorant in the first place. However, there are some of us who can’t handle the strong effects baking soda has on our skin. Baking soda can irritate sensitive skin types when it’s not mixed with the right ingredients, or when it’s used in high concentrations. 

What are the signs that Baking Soda is not for You?

Outside of its positive side effects, when used incorrectly, baking soda can also cause excess dryness in the underarms, redness, soreness, itchiness, inflammation, and breakouts. If you’ve experienced any of the following symptoms you may want to consider switching to a brand that doesn’t use baking soda in their natural deodorants, or finding one that doesn’t list baking soda as one of its first two to three ingredients.  

Why Might Baking Soda Irritate Skin?

The top layer of our skin works at protecting the rest of our body from external toxins, while trapping the needed moisture in. This outer layer is naturally acidic, with a pH level of around 5.5. 

Baking soda on the other hand is famous for how alkaline it is. That’s why many people stir in some baking soda to their water if they are experiencing acid reflux, because of this uniquely high alkaline level. 

Using too much baking soda can create a pH imbalance, making your skin more vulnerable to pollutants and toxins in the environment. It also eats away at the natural acidity level, which is why many people experience uncomfortable irritation. 

However, when baking soda is used in an expertly formulated deodorant, alongside other soothing ingredients like natural butters and essential oils, then one shouldn’t experience any irritation - unless you have an allergy to baking soda. 

What are alternative ingredients for Baking Soda in Natural Deodorants?

Safe alternatives for baking soda include:

• White Clay/ Kaolin - It will absorb any perspiration while you sweat, but is also safe and gentle for sensitive skin. 
• Zinc Oxide - It is a white mineral powder that protects the skin, soothes irritation and helps keep sweat down to a minimum. And the best part is, it’s anti-bacterial, which means that it prevents those odor causing bacteria from giving off its stinky odor! 

What Are Ingredients that Safely and Effectively Work with Baking Soda?

In order to prevent irritation in the armpits from a deodorant with baking soda, you’ll need to find a reliable natural deodorant brand that knows, well, what they’re doing. 

Ingredients that work well with Baking Soda and Should Prevent Irritation include:

Final Thoughts on the Safety and Efficiency of Baking Soda in Deodorant

Many naturally occurring ingredients, when used incorrectly, can have undesirable or negative side effects. For instance, if we use tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar or even lavender oil, in excess, without a carrier oil or butter, we may be causing damage or irritation to the skin. 

Likewise, the same rule applies to baking soda. If you are looking for a natural deodorant, with ingredients and proportions you can trust, then we highly recommend PlayPits Queen deodorant. Our Queen deodorant promises to only use safe and effective ingredients, to keep you smelling fresh and delicious all day long. Try stinking when you’ve got a sweet and sultry blend of Lemon, Rich Amber, and Jasmine coating your underarms! 

PlayPits deodorant are so effective and carefully curated, that they are even safe (and designed) for children. Because yes, we all sweat! Try the Happy deodorant infused with lavender essential oil under your growing child’s armpits and see how much they love it!