Women Everywhere Are Using Face Masks On Their Armpits. Here's Why

While there is little science about the connection between aluminum-based antiperspirants and breast cancer, the daily application of a heavy metal to one of our most sensitive detox regions makes some worry about a long-lasting effect. "Aluminum clogs the opening of the sweat gland, but it gets dislodged (i.e. does not hang around) which is why you have to re-apply eventually," said holistic dermatologist Cybele Fishman, M.D. Most mainstream antiperspirants are more than 20 percent aluminum—that's what makes them so effective at keeping the armpit area dry. Aluminum salts, one of the main ingredients in antiperspirants, combine with sweat to create a gel that plugs your sweat glands, which reduces wetness and odor. But it also blocks the detox process and may potentially interrupt important lymphatic processes while you're wearing it.

It's common for people to experience worse-than-normal odor when transitioning to naturals. There's no scientific research that confirms exactly why, but there are many hypotheses. One is that the armpit's natural microbiome is disrupted by conventional underarm products, so it needs time to readjust. Another is that the first weeks after wearing deodorant are a major detox period, especially for regular antiperspirant users.

Many people have sensitive underarms and react to products containing baking soda. If this is you, avoid using products with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) if you're armpit masking, and if you shave, mask first. Freshly shaved underarms are more sensitive.

Apply the mask when you get into the shower, go about your business, and then rinse it off as the last step. It's OK if it doesn't completely dry out—the mask is still working. If you're feeling dry or sensitive afterward, go bare, or apply moisturizer or deodorant primer and skip anything with a fragrance until your skin settles down.