How to Do An Armpit Detox: Clear Buildup and Reduce Odor Naturally

A client of mine recently reached out, a little concerned.

She told me she’d been struggling with body odor —even with her regular deodorant. 

She’d tried a couple of so-called “clean” natural products in the past, but they didn’t work, so she gave up.

Now, with some health concerns on her mind, she knew it was time to make the switch for good. 

But she was nervous. “What if I stink even more?” she asked.

I reassured her that she wasn’t doing anything wrong. And there was nothing ‘wrong’ with her body. 

What she was experiencing was completely normal.  

And with the right support, the transition to clean deodorant doesn’t have to feel impossible.

Honestly, I’ve been there too. 

Years ago, I started switching to clean deodorant while teaching in a classroom that felt like 104 degrees. In retrospect, that wasn’t the smartest timing. 🤪

But I learned a few tricks that helped (more on those later), and over time my body adjusted. And yours will too.

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Why Traditional Deodorants Can Be a Problem

Most of us grew up thinking antiperspirants and deodorants were harmless.

But the truth is, many conventional antiperspirants and deodorants contain ingredients that can affect our health.

That’s why swaps like this matter—and why I love helping women find options that feel doable.

Here’s what’s really going on in your armpit area:

Antiperspirants contain aluminum compounds that block your sweat glands. That’s why you “don’t sweat.” 

But sweating is an important part of your body’s natural detoxification

And even traditional deodorants that don’t block sweat can be problematic. 

Many contain ingredients which can irritate skin or affect the natural balance of bacteria under your arms.

When sweat is blocked or there’s an imbalance in your underarm bacteria:

• Odor-causing buildup can get trapped
• Your underarm bacteria balance can get thrown off
• Your body’s natural ability to detox can get interrupted

When you stop using antiperspirant, your sweat glands finally open up. 

You might notice a spike in odor as your body releases years of trapped sweat and your underarm bacteria rebalance.

It can feel frustrating, but it’s completely normal. It’s a sign that your underarms are clearing out buildup. 

Over a few days to a few weeks, odor will decrease as your underarms start functioning normally again. 

And don’t worry, I’ll spill the tea about how to make the switch smoother (and less smelly).

What Makes a Deodorant “Clean”?

Did you know there’s no regulation for terms like “aluminum-free” or “natural” in the US?

So these words on your deodorant or antiperspirant label don’t mean anything.

The truth? The deodorant aisle is full cleanwashing, which is a form of greenwashing. The marketing is intense, and it’s easy to get misled.

Even brands that look clean aren’t always what they seem. Here are 2 examples of many.

Native is one of concern–see the images above. They’ve built their whole brand around being “simple” and “clean.” But most of their formulas include undisclosed fragrance, which is a big no.

Tom’s of Maine is another one. It markets the brand as “natural.” But their scented deodorants still contain undisclosed fragrance. And the first ingredient of the unscented stick is propylene glycol, which raises some concerns.

So even if you’ve been using “almost clean” deodorants, your underarms may have a buildup of ingredients your body struggles with.

And this is exactly why an armpit detox can be so powerful.

Detoxing gives your skin a reset — so your switch to truly clean deodorants feels smoother.

To be clear, a truly clean deodorant comes down to one thing: the ingredients. (If you’ve been here a while, you’ve probably heard me say that before.)

Here are some of the most common ingredients to avoid:

• Parabens – linked to hormone disruption. (read more about how to avoid them and safer alternatives in my parabens guide)
  
• Phthalates – often used in fragrance, tied to hormone disruption and other health risks (one of the ingredients covered in my 15 toxic ingredients to avoid post)
  
• Synthetic fragrance – a mix of 3,000+ undisclosed chemicals under that one umbrella term (dive deeper in my hidden fragrance ingredients post)
  
  

Baking soda is another one to watch. Some natural deodorants use ingredients like baking soda to help control odor.

It won’t block sweat glands like aluminum, so you’ll still sweat—which is a good thing.

The problem with it is that it’s very alkaline. And that can cause redness, irritation, and itching.

It can also cause an imbalance in your underarm microbiome (the balance of bacteria).

If you want to learn how to read deodorant labels and spot tricky ingredients yourself, check out my guide How to Read Ingredient Labels.

Some of My Favorite Clean Deodorants:

• Beautycounter Clean Deo: This is my absolute first choice!  So far, Counter hasn’t brought this one back.  But I’m waiting…almost patiently!
  
• Primal Pit Paste Aluminum-Free Deodorant: Aluminum-free, baking soda-free, and have safer ingredients. I like the lavender, which is scented with essential oils (it doesn’t have undisclosed fragrance). The unscented charcoal is a great option to absorb extra odor, especially when first switching to natural deodorant.
  
• Ancient Minerals Natural Deodorant Cream: I haven’t tried this one yet, but the ingredient list looks good. And I know how calming topical magnesium can be.

Why Do an Armpit Detox?

An armpit detox isn’t absolutely necessary when you’re switching to clean deodorant. But it can help your underarms reset faster.

It draws out buildup, supports balanced underarm bacteria, and helps remove toxins from your underarms.

And all this helps your deodorant work better.

How Often Should You Detox Your Pits?

Most people only need to do a detox for a few days to a week when they first switch. 

After that, you can repeat it occasionally as needed.  

You may find it’s helpful after illness, if you notice odor changes, or even as a seasonal reset.

I like to do occasional armpit detoxes, and I’ve been using clean deodorant for years. They’re helpful both when you’re first switching and as a periodic reset.

How to Detox Your Armpits

The easiest armpit detox I’ve ever done is with Beautycounter’s Counter+ Charcoal Face Mask. 

It’s less messy than DIY, and I love doing it while masking my face. It’s not drippy, so once you apply the mask to your armpits, it stays in place.

Counter hasn’t brought the mask back yet, but the moment it’s available, I’ll be filling my cart — along with the Clean Deo!

I’ve also made my own DIY detox mask for my underarms with bentonite clay and apple cider vinegar in small batches.  It works really well, especially when you pay attention to the consistency and keep it a little thicker (more like a paste than a liquid). 

Here’s my go-to armpit detox DIY recipe:

Easy Armpit Detox DIY Recipe

When you’re switching to natural deodorant, an armpit detox can make the process easier. 

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon bentonite clay
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 1-2 teaspoons water

Prep: Wash your underarms with gentle soap and water, then pat dry before applying the detox mask.

Instructions:

1. Mix the clay, ACV, and water with a non-metal bowl and spoon. See note below.
   
2. Apply the mask in a thin layer to each underarm.
   
3. Leave on for 10–20 minutes. A tingling and tightening sensation is normal.
   
4. Rinse completely with warm water. *See note below.
   

Notes:

• Metal can deactivate the clay, so use a non-metal bowl and spoon.
• ACV can cause a mild sting on sensitive skin. If it does, reduce the amount you use, replacing it with water for consistency.
• You may want to do a patch test first: apply a small amount on your inner arm for 5–10 minutes.
• Over time, your body will acclimate to the ACV and you can work up to the full 1 tsp.
• Add water as needed to get a nice paste consistency. If you make it too runny, it gets messy fast.
• *I don’t rinse the clay down the drain—I’ve heard it can clog pipes. Some people haven’t had any issues, so choose your own adventure here. 😉

Armpit Detox and Tips for Reducing Odor

As I’ve mentioned, the first week (or sometimes a bit longer) of using clean deodorant can be…surprisingly aromatic.

Here are a few tricks that made things smoother (and by that I mean less smelly)—even in a classroom that felt like a sauna!

• Armpit Detox: Using a clay or charcoal mask helps draw out buildup and rebalance your underarm microbiome.
  
• Coconut Oil: I’d swipe my pits with coconut oil on a cotton round midday. Coconut oil helps neutralize odor-causing bacteria and acts as a gentle antibacterial.
  
• Ozonated Oil: This is my new favorite swap for the coconut oil trick now. The ozonated coconut oil works even better!
  
• Breathable Clothing: Choose cotton or moisture-wicking fabrics.
  
• Hydration: Sip water throughout the day, it helps your body flus out toxins.
  
• Keep Your Detox Pathways Open: These simple habits can help your lymph circulate and support your body’s natural detox.
  • The Big 6 Lymph Reset
  • Using a vibration plate
  • Gentle daily movement
  • Taking some deep diaphragmatic breaths
    
• Practice Patience: Remember, “the stink” is only temporary.  😉
  

Stick with it. Give your underarms time to adjust. They’ll start feeling healthier, and odor will naturally decrease.

The Bottom Line

If you stink while switching to clean deodorant, it doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong.

It’s just your body clearing out years of buildup. A simple armpit detox mask, a few odor-fighting tricks, and a little patience can make the transition so much smoother.

And once you’re through it, you’ll feel good knowing you’ve ditched harmful ingredients for safer choices that actually work.

Want more simple, effective swaps? 

Grab my free Clean Beauty Guide for toxin-free beauty recommendations, easy routines, and tips that actually stick.

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