Why Use Magnesium Spray On Your Armpits
I chatted in my stories about how the switch to a safer deodorant without aluminum can be a tricky switch for many. When I mentioned using a magnesium spray many of you had questions about this!
Most of your skin has a pH balance of 5.5, the pH of the skin under your arms is 6.5. This pH can lead to a more hospitable environment for bacteria.
Also, magnesium is alkaline, which helps shift the pH closer to 5. This also makes it a great anti-bacterial. Bacteria is one of the most common causes of body odor.
Staphylococcus hominis is a bacteria that's only found in your armpits and thrives here. When the bacteria break down the sweat they form products called thioalcohols, which have scents comparable to sulfur or onions.
Magnesium is generally less irritating than baking soda. One reason I prefer making my own spray is that you can do a bit more dilution if you notice irritation.
One other thought behind using a magnesium spray in the armpit is that due to a magnesium deficiency it can lead to stinkier sweat. When you're deficient in magnesium, your body's ability to break down sweat and bacteria can get thrown off. Many of us are deficient due to diets high in processed foods. High calcium diets also have the potential to drive magnesium levels low. Despite many natural food sources having the potential for abundance levels of magnesium we aren’t getting enough. Many medications can also deplete our magnesium levels.
More on antiperspirants
Once an antiperspirant is applied to the skin, perspiration in the underarm grabs and dissolves the antiperspirant particles, pulling them into the pores and forming superficial plugs that are just below the surface of the skin. When your body senses that the sweat duct is plugged, a feedback mechanism stops the flow.'
Aluminum is a heavy metal that has been linked to neurotoxic effects. There is question as to how much aluminum is absorbed by the body when it is in deodorants. Our body's microbes play an important role in our health. Antiperspirants can impact our normal bacteria load, which can have negative effects on our health and also create more issues with underarm stink. It can be a vicious cycle. Also, due to the antiperspirant effects there is usually a 2-4 week transition to an aluminum free deodorant as your sweat glands re-regulate as aluminum blocks them.
How to Make Magnesium Spray
Boil 1/2 C distilled water.
Add 1/2 cup magnesium flakes to boiling water and stir until the flakes completely dissolve.
Let mixture cool and transfer to labeled spray bottles for daily use.
