Beauty buyers from Urban Outfitters, Credo and Anthropologie introduced us to a new realm of body care: armpit masks. Not to be confused with a mask you might leave on your skin for glowing benefits, an armpit mask has a very important mission. And while it may sound like a made-up new age belief, it isn’t.
Let’s go back to basics: antiperspirants prevent the release of sweat by blocking sweat glands, typically through the use of aluminum. But there is a huge shift in the beauty market toward natural products, and natural deodorants are leading the cause. In fact, the global aluminum-free deodorant market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 10 percent by 2029.
Natural deodorants work to absorb moisture and prevent odor through the use of natural ingredients.
According to Lisa Raciti, founder of KIND-LY, an Australian natural deodorant brand, “Your body becomes reliant on these chemical nasties [think: aluminum], essentially forgetting how to naturally correct any bacterial imbalances on its own.” Natural deodorants work to absorb moisture and prevent odor through the use of natural ingredients like probiotics, magnesium and essential oils. And when switching from antiperspirants to a natural deodorant there is typically a “detox” period involved, during which the body expels impurities.
The detox period varies from person to person but can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. “During this time, you may find that you sweat or smell more than usual, and that is often when people give up on their new natural deodorant because they think it’s not working,” adds Raciti. “Your body is not experiencing the same degree of prevention of the release of sweat or masking of the odors as it likely was prior to the detox,” adds Marisa Garshick, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist at the Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery Center.
But why use a detox mask? “During the detox, it helps to be consistent with applying your natural deodorant (more frequently if needed until you adjust) and by also adding a product like The Armpit Detox to your routine, which will assist with the transition and drawing out impurities, clearing skin and balancing out the underarms,” says Raciti. These masks also help speed up the natural deodorant adjustment period. Or if you aren’t ready to say goodbye to your antiperspirant just yet, you can regularly apply the armpit detox to your weekly routine to assist in drawing out impurities and clearing the skin.
Although, it is important to remember that “while people may find that doing an armpit detox helps to eliminate toxins and chemicals from the skin, there is not enough scientific evidence to show that these really work,” says Garshick.
While the National Cancer Institute says there is no link between aluminum found in antiperspirants and breast cancer, I have been more cognizant about what I put into my body recently, buying more organic produce, cutting down on processed snacks, and switching over to clean versions of products I use daily like toothpaste. So an armpit detox seemed like a no-brainer.
Here are my honest thoughts about Kind-Ly Armpit Detox Mask ($25.00):
The Claim: While one can make a homemade detox mask, the KIND-LY armpit detox offers a more complex and consistent formulation. The mask is powered by activated charcoal, Australian bentonite clay, colloidal silver, lemongrass and ginger essential oils. It works best when used daily for seven days and can be extended to 14 days if needed. Any remaining product can be used once a week for maintenance.
The Trial: While I love trying new things out, I was so paranoid about sweating profusely or emitting a pungent odor. But, in order to go au naturel I had to push myself through this detox period. I chose KIND-LY primarily because of the kitschy graphics — and the applesauce-esque packaging spoke to me. They say you are not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but that is how I make most of my purchasing decisions. Plus, it smells like lemongrass, which is a scent I personally love.
On the first day, I fail to squeeze the bag together and the product comes out the same way ketchup does when not shaken. Once the excess water comes out, I apply a thin layer of paste to my underarms and wait 15 minutes for the mask to dry. (“It is not necessary to keep arms completely raised; slightly ajar is perfectly fine,” adds Raciti.)
Time goes by quickly as I perform my other pre-shower rituals, like combing through my hair with a pre-wash. Once the mask is dry, I rinse it off in the shower with warm water and continue as usual. Post-shower I apply the KIND-LY 100 percent natural liquid roll-on deodorant because it contains probiotics that introduce good bacteria that counteracts the bad bacteria (the root cause of body odor). When used in tandem, both KIND-LY products make a great starter kit, but the mask is suitable to use in conjunction with any natural deodorant.
The remaining few days go smoothly. I originally thought I would be irritated by having to sit with paste under my arms, but the mask dried quickly. Some people claim to experience stinging, rashes or excessive sweating when applying a mask, but thankfully that was not the case for me.
My only issue with the detox mask is that it leaves something resembling a five o’clock shadow on my underarms, which I thought I eliminated with laser hair removal. It’s the pits!
The Verdict: Over nine days, I did not experience any of the traditional signs of detoxing (excess sweat and body odor). I sweat during my workout classes, which was atypical for me, but the key thing to remember is that no natural deodorant will stop you from sweating entirely. I felt like a trooper for getting through the week sweat-free, but I also dodged any activity that involved going outside for an extended period of time. And while I have gotten used to my new granola deodorant stance, every now and then I miss my Dove cucumber-scented chemical cocktail.
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