My Natural Deodorant Journey
As a huge advocate for natural deodorant, I can tell you firsthand that not all are made the same. When I decided to make the switch back in 2015, it felt like an uphill battle. I tried about 15 to 20 different brands before finally landing on one that was halfway decent.
Either it lasted all day but left my pits irritated, or I smelled like an onion wrapped in dirty gym socks (sorry to all my homies, lovers, and friends back then). On top of that, my clothes were permanently stained.
So trust me when I say I understand all the TikToks dragging natural deodorant. It can be a journey to find one that actually feels good and works for you.
After learning to formulate deodorant myself, I finally understood why so many of the ones I tried didn’t work out.
Baking Soda Isn’t Always the Best for Your Pits
If you follow us on Instagram or TikTok, you’ve probably seen me talk about this before. For a deodorant to be, well, a deodorant, it needs something to help neutralize odor.
Many natural deodorants rely on sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). And while it’s great for freshening up your fridge or carpets, it’s not always the best fit for your skin.
Our skin’s natural pH is slightly acidic (around 4.5 to 5.5), which helps keep things balanced. Baking soda, on the other hand, is alkaline with a pH around 9. Because it’s highly water-soluble, it can shift your skin’s pH quickly once you start to sweat. That rapid change can disrupt your skin barrier and may lead to dryness or irritation.
And when your skin barrier isn’t happy, odor-causing bacteria can show up more easily, which, let’s be real, means funk.
Why We Chose Magnesium Instead
When I started formulating our natural deodorant, the first thing I did was ditch the baking soda. Instead, we use magnesium hydroxide as our key deodorizing ingredient.
It’s still alkaline but less water-soluble, meaning it works more gradually and is gentler on the skin’s surface. It helps keep your underarms feeling balanced and fresh without the harshness that can come from baking soda.
And because it’s less soluble, it holds up better throughout the day, helping you feel confident no matter what’s on your schedule.
The Bottom Line
Finding a natural deodorant that works for you shouldn’t be complicated or painful. It just takes understanding your skin and choosing ingredients that support it, not stress it out.
At Terra & Self, we believe in keeping things gentle, effective, and full of love for your body. Because you deserve to feel fresh and cared for.