So what’s the deal with baking soda in our plastic-free deodorant? And why did we recently come out with a baking soda-free deodorant?
Ok so first off, baking soda, also known as Sodium Bicarbonate, is an excellent ingredient for natural deodorant. It’s a natural antibacterial and pH neutralizer that has the ability to neutralize the acid in sweat, thereby eliminating underarm bacteria and preventing body odor. It also absorbs moisture. That’s why our 3 main plastic-free deodorant formulas (Fresh Rain + Cucumber, Bergamot + Cedar, and Lavender + Jasmine) use baking soda as the primary odor eliminator.
But, while baking soda is a great natural odor-fighter, some people with extra sensitive skin find that they have a sensitivity to baking soda. And even though we use about one-half the amount of baking soda in our original formulas compared to other brands, some individuals still find themselves sensitive even to these small amounts. This sensitivity shows up in the form of redness, itching and irritation in the tender underarm area. Why? For most, this sensitivity is caused by an imbalance in the skin’s pH. But it can also possibly be an allergic reaction. If this happens to you, and you are not sure what is going on, we always recommend that you cease use and consult your physician.
That said, we always like to listen to feedback on our products and to what our customers are saying. And we heard you! We got quite a few requests for a plastic-free deodorant formula made specifically for people with sensitive underarms. So recently we were proud to announce HiBAR Sensitive Deodorant, made without baking soda and free of fragrance. So without baking soda, how does it work? We use a couple of natural ingredients. First, we kept ingredients like Arrowroot Powder, and Lime Seed Oil that pull perspiration and body odor away from the skin as they deodorize. The main difference between our regular and sensitive formula is the addition of Diatomaceous Earth as an ingredient. Diatomaceous Earth is a naturally-occurring white powder consisting mostly of silica, a highly absorbent material that works as an odor blocker and eliminator. And it does this without causing problems to sensitive underarms!
Keep an eye on us. We plan to launch more baking soda-free formulas (as well as new fragrances of our original baking soda formula) in the near future. For all those sensitive pits out there, we got you!
