The Problem With Bicarb In Natural Deodorant (And What We Did About It)

If you’ve done even a little Googling about natural deodorants, you’ve probably come across one ingredient more than any other: bicarb soda (baking soda) - a natural fan‑favourite renowned for its odour‑neutralising power.

But here’s the catch - while it works brilliantly for many, it can be a real troublemaker for sensitive skin. Here’s what you need to know about bicarb, what makes it problematic and why we’ve developed a whole range of deodorants that skip it without sacrificing performance.

Why does bicarb cause irritation?

Let’s get sciency for a sec. Your skin has a natural pH of around 5.5. That’s slightly acidic, and it’s part of what keeps your barrier strong, your microbiome happy and irritation at bay. 

Bicarb soda, though? Its pH is around 10. That’s highly alkaline and when applied to your pits, it can disrupt your skin barrier, triggering dryness, itching, stinging or redness.

This doesn’t happen to everyone - some folks swear by bicarb - but if you’ve got sensitive skin or are prone to flareups (like our co-founder Aaron), it can be a bit of a dealbreaker.

Enter: Woohoo’s bicarb-free natural deodorants.

We love bicarb’s stink-busting powers but we also believe no one should have to choose between staying fresh and feeling comfy. That’s why we created a range of bicarb-free natural deodorants that go hard on odour, but easy on your skin.

Instead of bicarb, we use a clever combo of:

• Triethyl citrate – Stops odour before it starts by preventing sweat breakdown
• Zinc ricinoleate – Traps and neutralises odour molecules
• Magnesium hydroxide – Gentle on sensitive skin, tough on smells
• Bamboo powder – Absorbs moisture to keep you dry

Each ingredient was carefully chosen to deliver gentle yet powerful odour control - so you stay confidently fresh without the “ouch”.

Our bicarb free natural deodorants are creamy, effective and made to keep even the most delicate pits happy chappy - all while delivering long-lasting freshness that sticks with you through the day (and maybe even into tomorrow).

So which Woohoo deodorants are bicarb-free?

Here’s the current lineup of gentle-but-mighty blends that skip the bicarb entirely:

CHILL

Unisex and refreshing, our newest limited edition scent and an instant fave! CHILL smells like a crisp alpine morning. Think peppermint, eucalyptus, vetiver, cedarwood & sage. It’s cool, calm and collected in scent, but extra strong when it comes to odour protection. 

DRIFT

'For those who love a fresh, breezy scent with a little earthy soul. DRIFT blends sea salt, melon, and cypress with a splash of peppermint, lavender, and orange for a crisp, calming vibe that’s beautifully balanced and totally gender-neutral. It’s a bicarb-free beauty that proves gentle can still pack a punch.

TANGO

For citrus lovers who like a little zest with their odour control. TANGO is bicarb-free but full of personality, scented with tangerine and lemon for a sunny, mood-lifting experience. A happy-go-lucky classic that smells like summer and feels like a smooth, buttery hug for your underarms.

MELLOW

Our gentlest formula, made with sensitive skin in mind. MELLOW skips not only bicarb, but essential oils too. It’s unscented, uncomplicated and seriously effective, perfect for ultra-reactive skin or anyone who prefers to keep things fragrance-free.

But wait… don’t you still make deodorants with bicarb?

Yep, we do. And for many people, they work beautifully. In fact, we’ve worked hard at refining the formulas by adding soothing and balancing ingredients to make them more skin-friendly than most.

Many of our regular strength bicarb deodorants (like Urban and Surf) can still be used comfortably by people with mildly sensitive skin.

But if you’ve had bad reactions in the past, or your skin is especially sensitive, you might prefer to choose from our bicarb-free range - and steer clear of our extra-strength bicarb options - just to be safe.

Why we care about your sensitive pits so much

Let’s take it back to the beginning…

The Woohoo story actually started with a smelly man and an epic case of underarm irritation.

Over 10 (!!) years ago, Aaron (aka our co-founder) had tried what felt like every deodorant on the market (natural and otherwise), but they either left him stinking by lunchtime or broke him out in a fiery rash. 

Frustrated and fed up, he did what any good skincare boffin would do: he made his own.

Years of experiments, dozens of failed batches (and one sticky brown soufflé we still laugh about later) - but he finally nailed it. The first Woohoo deodorant paste that kept him fresh, lasting, and rash‑free. Waterless, effective, and non‑irritating - and he's been B.O.‑free ever since.

Since then, we’ve been obsessed with helping you find your perfect pit match, whether you’re team bicarb or team magnesium (or both!).

And our customers? You’ve been our biggest heroes. Every bit of feedback has shaped and grown our range.

Because smelling fresh shouldn’t hurt your skin. 

Ready to ditch irritation for good?

If your pits have been crying out for something gentler, our bicarb-free natural deodorant range might be just what they need.

SHOP BICARB FREE