Natural deodorants have grown in popularity in recent years as people seek cleaner, healthier alternatives to conventional antiperspirants. Of all the ingredients found in natural deodorants, sodium bicarbonate — better known as baking soda — is one of the most widely discussed and debated.
No doubt you're curious about the benefits (and potential downsides) of baking soda deodorant. Whether you’re switching to a natural option for the first time or trying to figure out if baking soda is suitable for your skin, here’s everything you need to know.
What Is Baking Soda Deodorant?
Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃), is a white, powdery, naturally occurring compound with mild alkaline properties. It’s commonly used in cooking, cleaning, personal care and even some medical applications. In natural deodorants it plays a key role in fighting the bacteria that cause body odour — without clogging your pores or using synthetic chemicals.
Baking soda deodorants typically come in stick or paste form. They're popular because they’re highly effective at controlling odour — even in high-sweat situations.
How Baking Soda Works to Fight Odour
A common misconception is that sweat is responsible for your body odour. Sweat doesn’t actually smell. It’s bacteria on your skin that can break down sweat that causes odour.
Baking soda helps by neutralising acids produced by bacteria, creating an alkaline environment that reduces bacterial growth, and by absorbing moisture and helping to keep underarms dry.
Baking soda deodorant is often praised for being more effective than other natural alternatives like magnesium or arrowroot powder, particularly for those who sweat profusely or require all-day protection.
Benefits of Baking Soda Deodorant
Baking soda is a staple ingredient in many natural deodorants, including those we make here at Lone Kauri. Here are some of the key benefits:
Powerful Odour Protection
Baking soda is incredibly effective at neutralising odour. For most users, it provides long-lasting freshness with just one application per day.
Natural and Non-Toxic
Unlike synthetic antiperspirants that employ aluminium compounds to block sweat glands, baking soda deodorants allow your body to sweat naturally.
Minimal Ingredients, Maximum Impact
Deodorants with baking soda typically use fewer ingredients, focusing on simple, natural elements like shea butter, coconut oil, and essential oils — a bonus for sensitive skin types (with a few caveats).
The Downside: Is Baking Soda Too Harsh for Some Skin Types?
While baking soda works wonders for many people, it’s not for everyone. Its naturally alkaline pH (around 8.3) can disrupt the skin’s natural acid mantle, which sits closer to a pH of 5.5. This can cause irritation or redness, itchiness or rashes, dryness or stinging, especially after shaving.
Most users tolerate baking soda deodorant just fine. If you're new to natural deodorants or have very sensitive skin, we recommend you patch test first or try a version with a lower concentration of baking soda.
At Lone Kauri, we carefully balance our formulas to be both gentle and effective, using baking soda in measured amounts alongside soothing ingredients like organic shea butter and coconut oil to reduce the risk of irritation.
Tips for Using Baking Soda Deodorant Safely
Here are a few tips to make the most of baking soda deodorant and reduce the chance of sensitivity.
Apply to Clean, Dry Skin
Always use deodorant on freshly washed, completely dry underarms. Applying to damp or broken skin increases the risk of irritation.
Use a Small Amount
A little goes a long way. Overapplying can increase friction and irritation.
Don’t Apply Right After Shaving
Wait a few hours after shaving before applying baking soda deodorant. Alternatively, shave at night and apply in the morning.
Give It Time
Your body may take a few days to adjust when switching from conventional antiperspirants. Some people experience a "detox" period where odour briefly increases — but this usually passes quickly.
Why Lone Kauri Uses Baking Soda
At Lone Kauri, we believe in creating products that are effective, natural, and kind to your body. Our deodorants include baking soda because we know it works — and we’ve carefully developed our formulas to deliver results without compromising on comfort.
We use moderate levels of baking soda to ensure effectiveness while minimising irritation and plant-based oils and butters to nourish the skin. Our formula includes essential oils, not synthetic fragrance and because we believe natural should mean sustainable, too, our packaging is plastic-free, and recyclable.
For most people, our baking soda deodorant provides reliable, all-day odour protection without the need for harsh chemicals.
Should You Choose Baking Soda Deodorant?
Natural deodorant is one of the most effective natural solutions for staying fresh and odour-free — and, for most people, it’s a fantastic alternative to conventional antiperspirants. While it may not suit absolutely everyone, careful formulation (like we use at Lone Kauri) and mindful application can make all the difference.
If you’re ready to make the switch to natural and powerful odour protection, explore our full range of baking soda deodorants — crafted with care, made with natural ingredients, and tested by real people.
Shop the Range → Browse Lone Kauri Deodorants
