This content was updated for accuracy and relevance on November 3rd, 2020

Regularly using over the counter deodorant or antiperspirant can cause a chemical buildup on the skin over time. Even if you aren’t a super sweater in the underarm area, it can be important to give your sweat glands the occasional detox. An effective armpit detox can help the body eliminate toxins and keep you smelling fresh. 

Researchers at The University Of Oxford recently discovered that skin-dwelling bacteria convert a specific protein from an odorless compound into stinky sweat. Now that we know more about the source of body odor, it’s easier than ever to combat. Along with good ole’ fashioned soap and water, several essential oils can help clear away odor-causing bacteria. 

Are you ready to learn how to detox your armpits and discover new, natural body products for keeping your body smelling fresh? In this guide, we’ll share our 7 favorite essential oils for body odor. Specifically, ones that can help eliminate that unwanted underarm odor.

Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tea Tree essential oil is a natural astringent and antiseptic. Astringents remove excess moisture, providing natural sweat-wicking properties. In addition, using Tea Tree oil for underarms boasts the following properties:

• Antibacterial effects – As noted, sweat perspiration is bad in large part because of bacteria that dine on sweat molecules, breaking them down into more odorous compounds. Tea Tree essential oil has known antibacterial properties, which can help kill off the bacteria responsible for sweat’s scent.
  

• Antifungal effects – Like bacteria, fungi can feed on compounds produced by sweating. Tea Tree oil is a popular additive in foot deodorant because it can combat fungi that drive in warm, moist environments (like the inside of shoes, and our armpits). 

Tea Tree essential oil’s cleansing and antimicrobial properties make it a great, natural way to support armpit detoxing and reduce body odor. 

Derived from the Myrtaceae family, Tea Tree also has a fresh, clean scent that makes it a welcome addition to DIY armpit care.

Bergamot Essential Oil

The synergistic effect of natural components limonene and linalyl acetate within Bergamot, lends this essential oil to be a powerful antibacterial, odor-fighter. 

How does it work? 

• Bergamot is mostly made up of limonene and linalyl acetate.3 On their own, these components are antibacterial. Together, their antibacterial properties are magnified. 

• Not only are these components in Bergamot responsible for stopping odor-causing bacteria in their tracks, they also give Bergamot it's wonderful, musky, citrus-fresh aroma.  

Using Bergamot essential oil in your underarm deodorant can help defend against bad BO. Citrusy and sweet, it blends well with herbaceous oils as well as Lavender essential oil.

Sage Essential Oil

Sage essential oil has a sweet, herbaceous aroma that makes it a welcome blend for armpit spritzes and deodorants to help combat unpleasant odor. Like Tea Tree oil, it has proven antibacterial properties.

Scientists studying the effects of aromatherapy on bad body odor believe that plants from the Lamiaceae family have a deodorizing effect. These include:

• Mint

• Rosemary

• Sage

• Thyme

Interestingly, common culinary herbs used in traditional medicine to reduce inflammation, soothe upset stomachs, and treat topical rashes may have a beneficial effect on our armpits, too!

Rosemary Essential Oil

As noted above, scientists have identified specific chemicals that give Rosemary deodorizing properties.

In addition, Rosemary essential oil has proven antioxidant properties. Since oxidative stress can play a role in underarm odor, Rosemary may help.

Woody, crisp, and herbaceous, Rosemary pairs well with other herbs from the mint family.

Peppermint Essential Oil 

Peppermint’s fresh, uplifting scent makes it one of the most popular essential oils. As noted, it’s part of the powerful Lamiaceae family and known to provide natural deodorant properties. 

In addition, Peppermint essential oil is:

• Anti-inflammatory – If your armpits are sensitive, this essential oil is unlikely to cause a reaction, and may also reduce itchiness due to rashes, dry skin, or other factors. 

• Cooling – A frequent additive to post-sunburn skincare, Peppermint is also antipyretic. That means it reduces feelings of hotness, which is definitely beneficial on warm, sweaty summer days.

• An aid to other oils – Peppermint helps the skin more readily absorb other ingredients. If you’re looking to experience the full effects of your essential oil blends, make sure Peppermint is in the mix.  

Thyme Essential Oil

Thyme is part of the same family as the three previous herbs. However, in 2014, researchers confirmed that it’s more potent than Rosemary and Sage against one particularly stinky component of sweat, a sulfurous compound called methyl mercaptan. 

Thyme essential oil also has:

• Antibiotic properties

• Antifungal properties

• Antioxidant properties

This common culinary herb is actually a small evergreen with a distinctive sweet and herbaceous aroma.

Lavender Essential Oil 

Lavender is a must-have essential oil thanks to qualities that can soothe nerves, promote sleep, calm skin, and more. Its sweet, floral aroma pairs incredibly well with all of the above oils (many of which have more crispy, piney notes). 

Lavender essential oil has much in common with the already-discussed herbs: it is antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antifungal. A frequent ingredient in conventional deodorant, it is also known for its cooling effect. This can help keep you feeling dry on sticky, humid days and nights.

How to Detox Your Armpits

Are you ready to harness the power of essential oils for odor elimination to stay fresh?

The first step of clearing chemical buildup is giving your armpits an effective cleaning. 

Begin to rinse your armpits with our clarifying Charcoal Natural Bar Soap in the shower or bath. Naturally exfoliating, it helps draw out impurities and protect against free radicals. 

After you cleanse, follow our guide for making your very own Natural Armpit Detox Spray using your essential oil of choice.

Armpit Detox Spray

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp organic apple cider vinegar

• 1/4 cup of filtered water

• 1 tsp of Jojoba carrier oil

• 2 drops Tea Tree essential oil or another blend of your choice

• Spray bottle

How To:

Mix all the ingredients of your DIY deodorant in the spray bottle. Shake well and spray a thin layer over your underarms and leave on for 5-10 minutes. Wash off with a clean, warm, damp cloth. Shake well before each use.

Safety:

Do a patch test before use and discontinue if any skin irritation occurs.

Shelf life: 1 week.

Essential Oil Deodorant

Now that you know what essential oils are good for pits, it's time to give your armpits a break and make the switch to natural deodorant. At Edens Garden, we offer an entire range of essential oil deodorants, made with natural, non-toxic ingredients. Compatible with all skin types, our deodorants are also free of baking soda.

Each of our deodorants features one of our bestselling essential oil synergy blends. Try Rose Bergamot, a classic, garden-fresh deodorant featuring Rose, Bergamot and Patchouli essential oil. Unsure about which deodorant is right for you? You can’t go wrong with French Lavender Sage – an herbal and gently floral deodorant featuring Damiana, Grapefruit, Osmanthus and of course, French Lavender and Sage essential oils. In the mood for something with earthy and musky tones? Cedarwood Spruce and Tobacco Patchouli are ready for duty.    

And if you find yourself head over heels after trying one, we offer our essential oil deodorants in sets, including a Create Your Own set which allows you to choose your own aromas. We also saved you the trouble of clipping coupons by pre-discounting each set, making stocking up and saving a breeze.

Fighting Five Essential Oil Deodorant

What do you get when you pair our most popular pure essential oil synergy blend with our powerful, odor-fighting, natural deodorant formula? Edens Garden Fighting Five Deodorant contains five potent essential oils, including Lemon, Rosemary and Eucalyptus, to help keep your armpits naturally odor-free without harmful chemicals or synthetic fragrances.  

And while Fighting Five is one of the top essential oils for BO, it’s also working to keep environmental threats at bay with its immensely immune-supportive properties. And that’s just one less thing (of many things) you’ll have to worry about when you pick-up this deodorant.

Whether you’re looking to uplift your mood, get better sleep, or say goodbye to conventional deodorant, we’ve got the essential oils you need at Edens Garden.

Sources:
1. Mihas, Gurdeep et al. “Structural basis of malodour precursor transport in the human axilla.” eLife (2018). https://elifesciences.org/articles/34995

2.  Carson, Christine, K. A. Hammer, and T. V. Riley. “Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil: a Review of Antimicrobial and Other Medicinal Properties.” Clinical Microbiology Reviews 19.1 (2006): 50-62. https://cmr.asm.org/content/19/1/50.short#sec-17

3. Sienkiewicz, Monika et al. “The effect of clary sage oil on staphylococci responsible for wound infections.” Postepy dermatologii i alergologii 32.1 (2015). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4360007/

4. Nakatani, Nobuji, Kayoko Miura & Takashi Inagaki.”Structure of New Deodorant Biphenyl Compounds from Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) and Their Activity Against Methyl Mercaptan.” Agricultural and Biological Chemistry 53.5 (1989): 1375-138.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00021369.1989.10869455

5. Elsaie, Lotfy T et al. “Effectiveness of topical peppermint oil on symptomatic treatment of chronic pruritus.” Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology vol. 9 (2016): 333-338. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5066694/

6. Nakatani, Nobuji. “Structure of New Deodorant.”

7. Cavanagh, H.M.A. and Wilkinson, J.M. “Biological activities of Lavender essential oil.” Phytother. Res., 16 (2002): 301-308. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ptr.1103?casa_token=TrevNG748woAAAAA:hifNb_cQJeRLzmdb7XKXCfxyDtdo6S5OlnMIYpWmsf7bRw6lLnOijIR5Z-46dF-qWe2LwF-4YE0wOw