Using Salt as Deodorant for Smelly Armpits- Is it Effective

I know what you are thinking. Salt as a deodorant for smelly armpits? I know! It may sound strange but as some people say, don’t knock it till you try it!

So, how do people use salt as a deodorant? And more importantly, does it work?

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Is It Effective To Use Salt For Smelly Armpits

Yes. Salt is antibacterial, which means it can kill some bacteria, including the odor-causing ones under your arms.

By drawing the water out of some bacteria, salt effectively destroys them. Water leaves a bacteria through a process called osmosis to balance the salt concentrations on each side of its cell membrane. Bacterial proteins like enzymes cannot work without water, and the cell finally implodes.

However, some bacteria are resistant to salt and will not be killed by it.

Some other natural ways to reduce armpit odor are:

DIY Baking Soda & Lemon for Underarms: Benefits & Risks

Best Essential Oils for Armpits & How to Use Correctly

Using Rose Water to Lighten Dark Armpits & For Body Odor

Can You Use Salt As A Deodorant

You can use salt to cleanse your armpits of bacteria and odor, but salt alone will not be an effective deodorant.

Salt will help to keep odor-causing bacteria from building up under your arms but it will not deodorize. Additionally, using salt alone will cause your skin to become too dry. It will pull water out of your skin just like it does to bacteria. This will only cause your skin to become damaged.

However, like always, the skincare industry has found a way to safely and effectively incorporate salt into underarm products and treatments. You can click here to learn about Salt Crystal Deodorants.

Did you know that you can also use salt in the form of soap to help reduce odor – check out these articles to learn more:

Best Salt Soap – Benefits, How to Use & Side Effects

Himalayan Salt Soap – Benefits, Side Effects & Best Ones

Related Articles –

5 Best Deodorants to Lighten Dark Underarms- Prevent & Treat

10 Quick & Easy DIY Natural Remedies For Smelly Armpits

Best Magnesium Deodorants & Sprays- Benefits & Side Effects

How long will salt work to keep odor away?

Salt will temporarily keep the odor away under your arms if you use it as a scrub, but more permanently if you use it in a deodorant.

If you use it as a scrub, then bacteria will probably build up again in a few days (sooner or later depending on how much your sweat, daily activity, skin type, etc). You cannot exfoliate every day so salt scrubs will not be a permanent fix.

Click here to read about How Often to Exfoliate or Scrub Underarms for Best Results.

However, if you are using a salt (crystal) deodorant, this will be a more permanent solution. You can use your deodorant every day and this will help to keep odor away daily.

Does salt prevent armpit sweat?

Salt does not prevent armpit sweat.

In fact, using salt under your arms may increase sweating. This is because salt will unclog your pores and over time, detox the area, leaving the pores free and open to excrete sweat.

I know this may make you worried, but this is a good thing! Eventually, your body will adjust and the sweating will regulate.

One of the best ways to keep your armpits dry is to use Cornstarch click here to learn more.

If you suffer from excessive sweating consider using:

Carpe Deodorant & Clinical Strenght Antiperspirant, click here to learn more.

Carpe Hand & Foot Antiperspirant Lotions, click here to learn more.

How To Use Salt For Smelly Armpits

The best way to use salt safely and effectively under your arms is as a scrub, or mixed in masks or deodorants.

Now keep in mind that there are different kinds of salt. The best ones to use on your skin are Epsom salt, Himalayan salt, sea salt, and potassium alum. Some of these have different chemical formulas and are not the regular old NaCl table salt that we know from high school chemistry.

DIY Salt Scrubs

Not only does salt kill bacteria, but the grains also gently exfoliate the skin as they eventually dissolve.

Easy DIY Underarm Salt Scrub

Ingredients/Materials:

Epsom Salt
Jojoba Oil Or Coconut Oil
Lavender Oil (optional)

Mixing bowl
Spoon

Directions:

In a mixing bowl, add your oil(s).
Then add enough salt to make a thick paste. Remember that it has to be slick enough to glide around the skin.
After cleansing your underarms, apply a generous amount and gently rub your underarms in circular motions for 3-5 minutes.

After exfoliating, wash your underarms off with lukewarm water and pat dry.
Moisturize as you usually would.

DIY Citrus Underarm Scrub

Ingredients/Materials:

1/2 cup sea salt or Himalayan salt
1/2 cup organic cane sugar
1/4 cup Jojoba oil, almond oil, or olive oil

Zest of a lemon, grapefruit, or orange
5-7 drops of orange essential oil
Mixing Bowl

Spoon

Directions:

In a clean mixing bowl, add all of your liquid ingredients.

Mix well and then start adding your salt, sugar, and zest.
Mix until well combined.
Cleanse your underarms and then apply the scrub to the skin.

Massage gently in a circular motion for 3-5 minutes.
Then wash off your underarms with lukewarm water and pat dry.
Moisturize as usual.

Salt As A Deodorant

Salt deodorants are most commonly called crystal deodorants. Most crystal deodorants are made of a natural mineral salt called potassium alum, which is also known as potassium aluminum sulfate.

These crystal deodorants are available commercially as stones, roll-ons, sticks, sprays, and even cream applications.

If you are exploring natural deodorants, Salt (Crystal) Deodorants are great, but there are a few others that may be more gentle and easier on your skin when making the transition.

Click on these articles to read more about a few natural deodorants:

Lume Deodorant Review- Is It Really Safe & Side Effects

Milcu Deodorant Powder Review – Does It Work & Side Effects

Charcoal Deodorants- Are They Good, Benefits & Side Effects

Possible Side Effects Of Using Salt on Armpits

The major side effects associated with using salt on your armpits are:

Irritation

Dryness
Rashes
Allergic Reactions

Increased Sweating (due to pores being unclogged) – this may increase your risk of body odor, but keeping a good underarm care routine will help and eventually your body will adjust.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does Himalayan salt actually work as a deodorant?

Himalayan Salt will not stop sweating but it will help to control odor.

While the salt alone cannot deodorize the underarms, it will kill bacteria. Additional natural scents in the deodorant you are using will give you a fresh scent as the salt itself prevent body odor.

Related Article – 10 Simple Tips To Reduce Underarm Odor