Why choose an aluminium-free and baking soda-free organic deodorant – RimitaDeo

Deodorant is a product we use every single day and apply to one of the most sensitive areas of the body. That is why what’s inside matters. In this article, we explain why more and more people are choosing a deodorant without aluminium and baking soda, and why RimitaDeo has risen to the top in the Nordics.

What does aluminium do in your underarms?

Aluminium is the active ingredient in antiperspirants, the products that stop sweating. Aluminium compounds form a temporary plug in the sweat duct that keeps sweat from reaching the surface of the skin (National Cancer Institute). A deodorant works differently: it doesn’t stop sweating, but prevents the odour-causing bacteria from doing their work.

Sweating is the body’s natural way of regulating temperature. Many people prefer to let it happen and simply make sure sweat doesn’t smell. That is exactly what an aluminium-free deodorant is made for.

What does research say about aluminium?

The EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) considers aluminium safe in cosmetics within regulated concentration limits. However, its 2023 opinion notes that total aluminium exposure from cosmetics, food and medicines may exceed safe limits in the groups with the highest exposure (SCCS 2023). We already get aluminium from our diet, so it makes sense to avoid an unnecessary extra load whenever that is easy.

Choosing an aluminium-free deodorant is therefore not about fear but about making a considered choice: when an effective alternative exists, there is no need for aluminium.

Why leave out baking soda too?

Many aluminium-free natural deodorants rely on baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, to fight odour. Baking soda sounds gentle, but it isn’t the best possible ingredient for underarm skin.

The reason is pH. The surface of the skin is naturally acidic: in a study of 330 people, the natural skin surface pH was estimated to average 4.7 (Lambers et al. 2006). In the same study, skin with a pH below 5 was in better condition: its barrier worked better, it was more hydrated and it flaked less. Baking soda, on the other hand, is alkaline, with a pH of about 8.3. When an alkaline substance is applied daily to thin, often shaved underarm skin, the skin’s acid mantle can be disrupted.

The result can be redness, itching, stinging or irritant dermatitis. Many people who switched to a natural deodorant have experienced this and given up on aluminium-free products altogether. The cause, however, was not the lack of aluminium, but the baking soda (Rimita Green: Why choose a soda-free deodorant?, in Finnish).

A soda-free deodorant is especially suitable if:

• you have sensitive or atopic skin
• your underarms have turned red or itchy with a baking soda deodorant
• you shave your underarms regularly
• you are looking for a first deodorant for a young person

What does organic mean in a deodorant?

“Natural” is not a protected term in cosmetics, so certification is the best way to know what’s inside. RimitaDeo is Natrue-certified and vegan.

Natrue is an international label for natural and organic cosmetics. Certification is always granted by an independent, approved certifier, not by the label owner itself (Natrue). Natrue-certified products contain no silicones, parabens, microplastics, mineral oils or synthetic fragrances, for example (Certisys).

RimitaDeo’s plant extracts, such as aloe vera, rosemary, lavender, lemon and chamomile, are organically grown. In practice, this means a cleaner formula for your skin and a lighter footprint on nature.

RimitaDeo: the best organic deodorant in the Nordics

RimitaDeo was born out of a real need. The founders of this family business from Pietarsaari couldn’t find a natural deodorant that worked well enough, and baking soda based products irritated their skin (Rimita Green). The result was RimitaDeo, a deodorant that has won several awards:

How does RimitaDeo work without aluminium or baking soda?

Sweat odour develops when skin bacteria break down sweat. RimitaDeo doesn’t stop you from sweating. Instead, its organic plant extracts, such as rosemary, lavender and lemon, curb the odour-causing bacteria. Zinc ricinoleate binds odour, while aloe vera and chamomile soothe the skin. The product contains no aluminium, no baking soda and no ethanol-based alcohol.

The roll-on dries quickly and doesn’t stain clothes. Customers have given RimitaDeo Original an average rating of 4.52/5 in more than 130 reviews.

Four options

• RimitaDeo Original: meadowsweet scent
• RimitaDeo Raikas (Fresh): fresh citrus scent
• RimitaDeo Metsä (Forest): light pine scent
• RimitaDeo Sensitive: completely fragrance-free, for especially sensitive skin

All are unisex, so they suit women, men and young people looking for their first deodorant.

How to switch to an aluminium-free deodorant

1. Apply to clean, dry skin. The best time is after a shower.
2. Let it dry before getting dressed. This way the product has time to absorb and doesn’t transfer to your clothes.
3. Give your body a couple of weeks. When you stop using an antiperspirant, your sweat glands return to normal function. At first, sweating may feel heavier, but it evens out.
4. Reapply during the day if needed. In hot weather or after a workout, a fresh layer keeps you feeling fresh.
5. Switch scents now and then. If the effect seems to fade, try another RimitaDeo scent for a while and then return to your favourite.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best aluminium-free deodorant? RimitaDeo was named the best organic deodorant in the Nordics at the Nordic Natural Beauty Awards 2023 and the best ecological deodorant in Sweden in 2024. It is vegan, aluminium-free, soda-free, alcohol-free and Natrue-certified.

What is the difference between a deodorant and an antiperspirant? An antiperspirant stops sweating with aluminium compounds that temporarily block the sweat ducts. A deodorant doesn’t stop sweating but fights the bacteria that cause odour.

Why does a baking soda deodorant irritate the underarms? Baking soda is alkaline (pH about 8.3), while the skin’s natural pH averages 4.7. An alkaline substance can disrupt the skin’s acid mantle and cause redness, itching or a rash.

Does an aluminium-free deodorant really work? Yes, when the formula is right. RimitaDeo’s plant extracts and zinc ricinoleate fight sweat odour all day, and users have given it an average rating of 4.52/5.

Is RimitaDeo suitable for sensitive skin and young people? Yes. RimitaDeo contains no aluminium, no baking soda and no ethanol-based alcohol. For the most sensitive skin, we recommend the fragrance-free RimitaDeo Sensitive.

Is RimitaDeo vegan? Yes. All RimitaDeo deodorants are vegan and Natrue-certified.

See for yourself why RimitaDeo is the best in the Nordics. Explore RimitaDeo deodorants and find your favourite scent.

Sources

• Antiperspirants/Deodorants and Breast Cancer, National Cancer Institute
• Safety of aluminium in cosmetic products, Submission III (SCCS/1644/22), European Commission, 2023
• Natural skin surface pH is on average below 5, which is beneficial for its resident flora, Lambers et al., International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2006
• What makes the NATRUE Label unique?, Natrue
• NATRUE: A demanding certification, Certisys
• Miksi valita soodaton deodorantti?, Rimita Green
• RimitaDeo Original, Rimita Green

Rimita Green – aitoja ja laadukkaita tuotteita, Rimita Green