What baking soda is
Chemically, baking soda is sodium hydrogen carbonate; in the ingredient list (INCI) it appears as Sodium Bicarbonate. You may know it from baking or as a household product. In deodorant creams it is often, alongside starch, the ingredient that takes care of odour.
Why baking soda is in deodorant
Fresh sweat hardly smells. The typical odour develops when sweat is broken down on the skin by the skin's natural flora. This produces, among other things, acidic odour compounds. Baking soda is mildly alkaline and can neutralise these compounds, so there is less odour. Baking soda does not change sweating itself.
The pH value: why some skin reacts
The skin surface is slightly acidic. This acid mantle is part of the skin's natural protective function. Baking soda is mildly alkaline. Most people tolerate it on their underarms without any problems. In some people, however, the skin reacts with redness, stinging or a feeling of tightness, especially when:
- the skin is freshly shaved or has small nicks,
- a lot of cream is applied at once,
- there is friction from tight clothing or sport,
- the underarm stays damp for a long time.
If your skin reacts: what you can do
- Pause: Stop using the deodorant cream until the redness has gone.
- Not after shaving: Ideally shave in the evening and apply the deodorant cream the next morning.
- Use less: A pea-sized amount per underarm is enough; massage in a thin layer.
- Dry skin: Apply to well-dried underarms, not straight after showering.
- Seek medical advice: If a reaction does not go away, gets worse or keeps coming back, see a doctor.
The product pages of both deodorant creams note: do not use on broken or irritated skin; if skin irritation occurs, stop use immediately and seek medical advice.
The two forpeople deodorant creams compared
| Sensitive Deodorant Cream | Deodorant Cream - Lemon | |
|---|---|---|
| Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) | yes | yes |
| Starch | potato and corn starch | potato and corn starch |
| Fats and waxes | shea butter, sunflower oil, candelilla wax | shea butter, sunflower oil, candelilla wax |
| Scent | no, without added fragrance and without essential oils | yes, essential oils of bergamot and lemongrass |
| Fragrance components per INCI | none | Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Citronellal, Geraniol |
| Number of ingredients | 6 | 13 |
| Size, price | 50 g, €8.90 | 50 g, €8.90 |
So the difference between the two lies in the scent, not in the baking soda. The Sensitive version does without essential oils, which is of interest to anyone who wants to avoid fragrances. It also contains baking soda.
Frequently asked questions
Does forpeople offer a deodorant without baking soda?
No. According to their ingredient lists, both deodorant creams contain baking soda. If your skin reacts to baking soda, they are therefore not the right choice for you.
Is the Sensitive Deodorant Cream free of baking soda?
No. "Sensitive" here refers to doing without fragrance and essential oils. It does contain baking soda.
Can a reaction appear only after several days?
Yes, that happens. A reaction may only show after several days of use, for example due to shaving or friction.
Does testing on a small area help?
Yes. Apply a small amount under one underarm only for a few days and watch your skin.
Deodorant creams from forpeople
- Sensitive Deodorant Cream, 50 g, €8.90, without added fragrance, with baking soda
- Deodorant Cream - Lemon, 50 g, €8.90, with essential oils of bergamot and lemongrass, with baking soda
Read more: Without fragrance and essential oils: ingredients at a glance · Deodorant without aluminium: how it works and how to switch · Water-free cosmetics · Shelf life of cosmetics (PAO) · Natural cosmetics standards explained
