Can you wean your body off of conventional deodorants and antiperspirants by indulging in an ‘underarm-detox’ that’s sourced from the shelves of your kitchen—or store-bought? Some would concur—and proceed to claim that these detoxes can rid your underarms of odour, reduce sweat, eliminate ‘cancer-causing’ toxins, maximise the effectiveness of deodorants and antiperspirants, and drain the lymph nodes. And even though these sound promising, I must tell you that there’s no science backing these statements. Here’s what you need to know about this fast-emerging trend.
Armpit Detox 101: What You Need To Know
First Off—Why?
Most people opt for this method while switching from conventional to natural deodorants and antiperspirants. They report more odour and sweat during this transition, and they choose to detox their armpits to unclog pores, and remove these impurities quickly. This happens because your standard aluminum-based deodorants and antiperspirants are clogging your pores to stop you from sweating. And once you’re off it, it messes with the way you sweat.
But, No, You Cannot ‘Detox’ Your Underarms
You cannot remove toxins through your underarms—or your skin for that matter. It’s your kidneys, liver, spleen, and lymph nodes that do the detoxing. They’re responsible for filtering out any harmful chemicals from your body. There’s no evidence that you can ‘pull out’ toxins from underneath your skin with a couple of ingredients.
Okay—It Can Reduce Odour And Cleanse The Underarms
Thanks to Apple Cider Vinegar or ACV—even though you must dilute the vinegar before you apply it to your underarms. ACV contains antibacterial properties that kill odour-causing bacteria in the area. This method can cleanse your skin of build-up of dirt, bacteria, residue from your antiperspirants and deodorants, and any build-up that’s clogging your pores, and causing you to sweat. And when you do sweat, it won’t smell as bad because you’ve inhibited the growth of bacteria.
Isn’t It Better Because It’s Natural?
You can DIY one with ingredients like baking soda, apple cider vinegar, clay, and more. Or you can buy a ready-made one too. A lot of proponents of armpit-detoxes claim that they’re better than other underarm-care products because they’re natural—but irritation, rashes, and allergies aren’t exclusive to chemicals. Think about it—even ACV is notorious for triggering reactions on the skin despite being natural. And, no, antiperspirants and deodorants don’t result in breast-cancer. There’s no evidence backing that claim.
How To DIY It
Mix a tablespoon of bentonite clay (known to draw out impurities from the skin) with a teaspoon of ACV and a teaspoon of water. Once the ingredients are mixed (the consistency must be like that of Greek yoghurt), apply the formula all over your underarms, and let it sit for about 15 minutes before washing it off.
There’s nothing wrong with trying armpit-detoxing, but there’s not enough science-backed evidence that it truly helps. Do conduct a patch-test on your skin just to make sure you’re not going to experience a reaction to the concoction.
Featured Image: Pexels
