Why Baking Soda Isn’t the Villain It’s Sometimes Made Out to Be

If you’ve spent any time researching natural deodorant, you’ve probably seen it:
“Baking soda is harsh.”
“Baking soda causes irritation.”
“Always choose baking soda–free.”

Baking soda has become the villain of the natural deodorant world — but like most things in skincare, the truth is far more nuanced.

When used thoughtfully and formulated correctly, baking soda can be one of the most effective and reliable deodorant ingredients available. Here’s why it deserves a fairer reputation.

Baking Soda Targets the Real Cause of Odor

First, a quick myth-buster:
Sweat itself doesn’t smell.
Odor is caused by bacteria breaking down sweat and producing acidic byproducts.

Baking soda works by neutralizing those odor-causing acids, rather than simply masking smell with fragrance. That’s why so many people who feel like they’ve “tried everything” eventually circle back to deodorants that contain baking soda — especially when other natural options fall short.

When it works, it works really well.

Many People Tolerate It Just Fine

There’s a common narrative that baking soda automatically equals irritation, but that simply isn’t universal.

Plenty of people use baking soda deodorant daily for years with zero issues. When irritation does occur, it’s usually due to one of three factors:

• Overapplication (more is not better)

• Extremely sensitive skin

• Poorly balanced formulas that rely too heavily on baking soda without buffering or soothing ingredients

In other words, irritation is often about formulation and use, not the ingredient itself.

It’s a Time-Tested Ingredient

Baking soda isn’t a trendy newcomer or a lab-created compound that appeared overnight. It has been used for generations in personal care, oral care, and skincare.

It’s familiar.
It’s well-studied.
And it’s an ingredient people recognize and understand.

For many, there’s comfort in knowing exactly what they’re putting on their skin.

It Often Works Better for People Who Sweat More

Natural deodorants aren’t one-size-fits-all — and that’s especially true for people who sweat more than average.

Baking soda can be a game-changer for those who:

• Work out regularly

• Live in hot or humid climates

• Experience stress-related sweat

• Have tried “natural deodorants that didn’t work”

For these individuals, baking soda is often the missing piece that finally makes a natural deodorant effective.

The Bad Reputation Is Usually About Formulation — Not Baking Soda

Many early natural deodorants:

• Used excessive amounts of baking soda

• Skipped skin-soothing or buffering ingredients

• Didn’t educate users on proper application

That combination led to irritation for some people — and baking soda took the blame.

Well-formulated products, however, behave very differently. When baking soda is properly balanced within a formula, the experience can be both effective and gentle.

You Don’t Need Much for It to Work

A small, balanced amount of baking soda goes a long way.

When paired with:

• Nourishing fats (like tallow or plant oils)

• Skin-soothing ingredients

• Thoughtful ratios

…it can neutralize odor without overwhelming the skin.

More doesn’t mean better — especially with deodorant.

“Baking Soda-Free” Isn’t Automatically Better

Baking soda-free deodorants are a great option for some people. For others, they:

• Stop working after a few hours

• Require frequent reapplication

• Don’t hold up under stress or heat

Neither option is inherently superior. Baking soda shouldn’t be villainized simply because it isn’t right for everyone.

Skincare is personal.

Education Matters More Than Fear

When people understand:

• How to apply deodorant properly (a thin layer with light pressure)

• That underarms may need an adjustment period

• That sensitivity varies from person to person

They can make informed choices, rather than fear-based ones.

The Bottom Line

Baking soda isn’t the villain it’s often made out to be.
For many people, it’s a reliable, effective, time-tested ingredient that simply works.

The key isn’t avoiding it blindly — it’s choosing well-formulated products, using them correctly, and listening to your own skin.

Sometimes, the “bad guy” just gets a bad rap.