The Great Mystery Of The Underarm Detox

After the natural deodorant era, came the armpit detox. That is when you stop using an antiperspirant and switch to a more natural formula, your armpit area tries to adjust itself. Meaning, you might go through a “detox” period, during which your sweat smells worse until your body regulates by purging all of the chemicals built up from your years of antiperspirant use. And then it goes back to its natural state. However, this might just be an advertisement strategy made to promote natural deodorants, because there isn’t enough research or proof that there is a thing called the armpit detox.

It has been so long since I’ve used an antiperspirant deodorant that I don’t remember if I had a detox period or not. But what I know is that I’ve never had any kind of burning or irritation around the underarms since the day I started using a natural deodorant. Therefore, that was a good enough reason for me to make the switch.

You can also find many YouTube videos of mostly Gen Z or Millennial influencers talking about how slapping on a charcoal mask on their armpits has changed the game for them, which can be considered as another way of “detoxing”. Does it really work, though? Well, that kind of depends on you and how literal you want to go with the word detox. Underarm masking is merely masking and cleansing the pores, which is great but is technically NOT detoxing. Anyways, I’ve tried it a couple of times, and I am not sure what to make of it. I’ve been using natural deodorants for about 10 years, so I can say that it’s more of a placebo effect. I’m not going to lie; it does feel good to thoroughly clean your underarm area. So, why not? Give it a try. My recommendation is: Mix 1 part Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay with 1-part organic apple cider vinegar and apply under your arms, wait 10 minutes with your arms in the air like you’re at a concert (remember concerts?!) and then wash away. Other clay-based masks, originally intended for the face such as Fresh Umbrian Clay Purifying Mask, are also good multitasking alternatives for this fun occasion.