Guide
Baking soda free deodorant
Lots of natural deodorants use baking soda because it fights smell. But it’s much more alkaline than your skin, and that’s why it leaves some people’s armpits red, itchy or sore. A baking soda free deodorant stops the smell another way. nuud has no baking soda, and no aluminum either.
First, the basics
Why baking soda is in so many deodorants
Armpit smell comes from bacteria breaking down sweat. Some of what they make is acidic and sour-smelling. Baking soda works against those acids, it’s cheap, and people have used it for a long time. So it ended up in a lot of natural deodorants.
It does work against smell. The catch is what it does to some people’s skin.
The catch
Why it bothers some skin
Healthy skin is slightly acidic. Researchers who measured it found the surface sits below pH 5 on average.
Baking soda goes the other way. Mixed with water it’s around pH 8.3, so it’s alkaline. Put that on thin, sweaty, freshly shaved armpit skin every day and some skin pushes back with redness, itching or a burning feeling.
Not everyone reacts. Plenty of people use baking soda without a problem. But if you’re one of the people who does, a different formula is the easy fix.
How to tell
Signs baking soda is the problem
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It started after switching
You were fine with your old deodorant and the trouble began with a natural one.
How to tellThe timing lines up with the switch.
What to doCheck the label for sodium bicarbonate. That’s baking soda.
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It stings when you put it on
Alkaline paste on sensitive skin can burn, especially if the skin is already irritated.
How to tellA sharp sting in the first few seconds.
What to doStop using it and let your skin calm down.
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It’s worse after shaving
Shaving leaves tiny nicks that make any harsh ingredient sting more.
How to tellBad on shaving days, better in between.
What to doShave in the evening, apply in the morning, and switch formulas.
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It builds up over weeks
Some people are fine at first and react after a few weeks of daily use.
How to tellIt was okay for a while, then it wasn’t.
What to doSwitch to a deodorant without baking soda instead of pushing through.
What works instead
How deodorants stop smell without baking soda
Stopping the bacteria. If the bacteria can’t break down your sweat, the smell never starts. Silver is one ingredient that does this.
Working on the sweat. Zinc oxide and magnesium hydroxide work on the acids in sweat without being harsh on skin the way baking soda can be.
Soaking up moisture. Powders like arrowroot keep the area drier, so bacteria have less to work with.
On the label, look for those, and check that sodium bicarbonate isn’t on the list.
Making the switch
If your armpits are already irritated
1. Stop using the baking soda deodorant.
2. Wash gently with a mild, unscented soap and pat dry.
3. Wait until your skin is fully calm before you try anything new. Don’t put any deodorant on broken skin, ours included.
4. Try the new one on the inside of your arm for two days first.
If it isn’t getting better after a few days, or it spreads or blisters, see a doctor. There’s more on this in our guide to underarm rash from deodorant.
How nuud works
No baking soda, no aluminum
nuud stops the bacteria that make the smell, with tiny bits of silver. Zinc oxide works on the sweat so it doesn’t turn smelly, and arrowroot powder keeps things dry. There’s no baking soda, no aluminum, no fragrance and no alcohol in it.
It was tested by Derma Consult, an independent German institute, on fifty people with sensitive skin. None of them had a reaction. One pea-size dab per armpit works for up to 72 hours.
Start clean and dry
Apply after a shower, on dry skin.
Take a pea-size dab
That’s enough for one armpit. More doesn’t work better.
Rub it in
Rub it in until you can’t see it.
Questions
Baking soda free questions
Why does baking soda deodorant burn?
Baking soda is alkaline, and your skin is slightly acidic. On thin or freshly shaved armpit skin, that difference can sting or burn for some people.
Is baking soda bad for your armpits?
Not for everyone. Many people use it without trouble. But it’s a common reason natural deodorants cause redness and itching, so if your skin reacts, switching is the simple fix.
Does baking soda free deodorant work?
Yes, if it stops the smell another way, for example by stopping the bacteria. Baking soda is one way to fight smell, not the only one.
Is there a deodorant without aluminum and baking soda?
Yes. nuud has neither. It uses silver to stop the bacteria and zinc oxide to work on the sweat.
How do I know if my deodorant has baking soda?
Check the ingredient list for sodium bicarbonate. That’s the label name for baking soda.
How long does a baking soda rash take to go away?
Mild irritation usually calms down within a few days once you stop using the product. If it doesn’t, or gets worse, see a doctor.