Why I Created a Natural Deodorant for Sensitive Skin

A clinical chemist's perspective on body odor, skin physiology, and why choosing the right ingredients matters.

Sometimes the best products are born out of personal frustration.

When I discovered that my everyday deodorant contained aluminum-based antiperspirant salts, I decided it was time to find a natural alternative. I assumed it would be an easy switch—but it wasn't.

I tried a LOT of natural deodorants, but everything I tried seemed to have some issue. Either it stopped being effective half-way through the day, or it left my underarms red, irritated, and itchy.  As a clinical chemist, I knew there had to be a better approach. There’s no reason anyone should have to choose between effective odor protection and healthy skin.  And I remember thinking, “I should be able to formulate something better!”                                             

This thought became the inspiration for New Day Organics Natural Deodorant. My goal wasn't simply to eliminate aluminum. It was to create a physiologically compatible deodorant that effectively controls body odor while respecting the skin's natural biology and barrier function.

Understanding Body Odor

Perspiration itself is virtually odorless. The characteristic odor we associate with perspiration develops when naturally occurring bacteria under our arms metabolize the proteins, fats, and other components present in our sweat. These metabolic processes generate volatile organic compounds—including short-chain fatty acids and sulfur-containing molecules—that produce body odor. An effective natural deodorant therefore does not need to prevent perspiration; it needs to interrupt the biological conditions that allow odor-producing bacteria to thrive.

Why I Chose a Baking Soda-Free Formula

As I researched natural deodorants, one ingredient appeared repeatedly—baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). Baking soda is effective at neutralizing acidic odor compounds, which explains its widespread use in natural deodorants. However, it is also highly alkaline, with a pH of approximately 8.3 and for a lot of people with sensitive skin it’s a common irritant. Why does this matter?

Healthy skin maintains a naturally acidic surface pH of approximately 4.5 to 5.5. This slightly acidic environment—commonly referred to as the skin’s acid mantle—is essential for maintaining our skin’s barrier strength, regulating enzyme activity involved in barrier repair, and supporting a healthy and diverse skin microbiome. Exposing our skin to deodorants with high pH ingredients like baking soda,  can temporarily disrupt this balance, contributing to irritation, redness, itching, or even a contact dermatitis in susceptible individuals.

For people with sensitive skin, this disruption can become a recurring problem. It's one of the primary reasons many individuals experience redness, burning, or persistent irritation after switching to baking soda-based natural deodorants, even if the product initially seemed to work well.

I knew there had to be a gentler solution. Rather than relying on baking soda, I chose ingredients that work with the skin instead of against it.

The Solution Was in the Formula

Our deodorant features a dual-action odor control system combining magnesium hydroxide and zinc oxide, each chosen for its unique functionality and skin compatibility.

Let’s talk about magnesium hydroxide, the primary odor-neutralizing ingredient. It helps neutralize odor by buffering the microenvironment at the skin’s surface and creating conditions that are less favorable for the metabolic activity of odor-producing bacteria. Unlike baking soda, magnesium hydroxide is generally better tolerated by persons with sensitive skin and is less likely to disrupt the skin barrier.  This works in tandem with our next ingredient, zinc oxide.

Zinc oxide is the second component of our odor-control system. Our non-nano zinc oxide (the same ingredient in mineral sunscreens) interrupts the cell wall of odor-causing microorganisms to decrease body odor as well.  In addition, it acts as a conditioning agent to soothe and protect delicate underarm skin. This dual action functionality makes zinc oxide particularly valuable in formulations designed for sensitive skin.

Supporting healthy skin is just as important as controlling odor. And because our underarms are one of our most delicate skin environments, I incorporated certified organic shea butter and cocoa butter, both naturally rich in triglycerides, phytosterols, and antioxidant compounds that help restore skin lipids, improve moisturization, and reinforce barrier function. 

And the result was exactly what I had been searching for:  a natural deodorant that delivers dependable, all-day odor protection with a sophisticated baking soda-free odor control system while remaining exceptionally gentle on sensitive skin.  

Why We Use Premium Paperboard Tubes

It was really important to me to use an eco-friendly packaging solution, so I chose to package our deodorant in a premium paperboard tube, rather than conventional plastic packaging.

This wasn't the least expensive choice—but it was the right one for our company and our earth. Our sturdy paperboard tubes cost substantially more than traditional plastic containers, yet they reflect our commitment to reducing our reliance on petroleum-based plastics whenever practical.  I like the fact that I can simply toss our empty deodorant tubes in the recycling stream or put it right in our garden compost pile. Plastic averted!

More Than Just Natural

Every decision we make is intentional. From carefully selecting evidence-based ingredients to choosing environmentally conscious packaging.  Every aspect of this product reflects the values that inspired New Day Organics from the very beginning.

When I formulate a product, I ask myself one simple question: Would I use this every single day and confidently recommend it to my own family? If the answer isn't “yes”, I keep refining the formula until it is.

New Day Organics Natural Deodorant wasn't created to follow a trend. It was created to solve the two problems I experienced firsthand: finding a natural deodorant that provides reliable odor protection while respecting the physiology of sensitive skin.

What began as a personal solution has become one of the products I'm most proud to share. I'm grateful that so many customers who believed they simply couldn't use a natural deodorant have finally found one they can trust. Thank you for allowing New Day Organics to be part of your daily routine.

With love and positive impact,