If you’ve ever tried switching to a natural deodorant and ended up smelling worse, breaking out, or dealing with irritated underarms, you’re not alone. Most natural deodorants fail for one simple reason: they don’t address the cause of odor.
They just try to cover it up.
Why We Sweat Isn’t the Problem
Sweat itself doesn’t smell. Odor happens when bacteria on your skin break down sweat and create acidic byproducts. That’s where the funk comes from.
Many natural deodorants focus on absorbing moisture with starches or masking odor with essential oils. Some rely heavily on baking soda to overpower odor-causing bacteria. While that might work short-term, it often comes at a cost.
Why Baking Soda-Based Deodorants Cause Irritation
Baking soda is highly alkaline. Your skin isn’t.
When used in large amounts, baking soda disrupts the natural pH of the underarm area, leading to redness, burning, rashes, and irritation. That’s why so many people experience “natural deodorant burn” or sensitivity after switching.
It’s not that natural deodorants don’t work. It’s that many are formulated too aggressively.
Why Masking Odor Isn’t Enough
Essential oils can smell great, but they don’t neutralize odor-causing acids. They just sit on top of the problem. Once the scent fades or sweat increases, odor returns.
Absorbing moisture also isn’t the same as stopping odor. Sweat will keep happening, and bacteria will keep doing their thing.
To actually work, a deodorant needs to address the chemistry of odor itself.
How Magnesium Changes Everything
Magnesium works differently.
Instead of absorbing sweat or overpowering odor, magnesium neutralizes the acids created by odor-causing bacteria. When those acids are neutralized, odor doesn’t develop in the first place.
This makes magnesium especially effective without being harsh on the skin. It supports a healthier underarm environment instead of fighting it.
Why Zinc Matters Too
Zinc plays a key supporting role. It helps soothe irritated skin, calm inflammation, and support a balanced underarm microbiome. For people who’ve experienced irritation from natural deodorants in the past, zinc can make a noticeable difference in comfort.
Why a Little Baking Soda Is Better Than None
At Rivas Ranch, we don’t completely eliminate baking soda. We use just enough to assist with odor control without overwhelming the skin. The combination of magnesium, zinc, and a minimal amount of baking soda creates a balanced formula that works without the burn.
Why the Base Matters
The base of a deodorant matters just as much as the active ingredients.
We use grass fed tallow because it closely mimics the skin’s natural barrier. It moisturizes, protects, and prevents dryness without clogging pores. Instead of stripping or irritating the underarms, tallow supports the skin while the deodorant does its job.
A Better Approach to Natural Deodorant
Natural deodorant doesn’t have to mean ineffective or uncomfortable.
When odor is neutralized instead of masked, when skin is supported instead of stripped, and when ingredients work with your body instead of against it, natural deodorant can actually do what it’s supposed to do.
That’s the difference magnesium makes.