Do you suffer from a case of sensitive skin? Been searching endlessly for a deodorant for sensitive skin? You're not the only one!

Skin in the armpit area can be particularly sensitive, and if you shave, this can compromise the skin barrier even more - in one study* researchers found that 36% of the debris on a razor after shaving is skin, not hair! Yowch!

Here's what to look out for when choosing a deodorant for sensitive skin:

1- Bicarb Soda / Sodium Bicarbonate

Bicarb soda (also called sodium bicarbonate) has a high pH and is highly water soluble. When you sweat the bicarb dissolves, and the pH of the solution under your arm shoots up.

The skin's protective barrier has an acidic pH, and can be broken down by repeated exposure to this high pH solution. For this reason a product containing bicarb is not a suitable deodorant for sensitive skin.

2. Fragrance

'Fragrance' is an umbrella term used on cosmetic labelling to refer to a broad range of chemical compounds and combinations. This labelling allowance is so that companies can protect the IP for fragrances that they have developed.

Unfortunately this can make it difficult for those with sensitive skin to know which compounds might be causing irritation or sensitivity.

Although you may tolerate some fragrances, we generally recommend avoiding fragrance when looking for a deodorant for sensitive skin.

3. Essential Oils

Essential oils are better than fragrances right? Well, just like other fragrances, essential oils contain allergens such as linalool, gerianol, and limonene.

For many people, products with essential oils are fine to use on a daily basis, however we recommend avoiding essential oils when searching for a deodorant for sensitive skin.

How do I know what I'm sensitive to?

Keep in mind - people can be allergic or sensitive to pretty much anything. Some sensitivities are more common than others, and unfortunately sometimes we can only figure out what works for us by a process of elimination. Finding the perfect deodorant for sensitive skin can be a struggle - but we think we have just the solution for you!

Our deodorant for sensitive skin -

Like you, I also suffer from a case of sensitive skin. I searched for years for the perfect deodorant for sensitive skin - aluminium salts gave me rashes, all of the 'natural' deodorants containing bicarb left me with an even worse rash and the bicarb free deodorants I tried left me stinky!

That's why I decided to formulate a deodorant which was aluminium free, bicarb free, and yes, actually works i.e. the perfect deodorant for sensitive skin. Over the years we've refined and improved our formula and we reckon it's the best deodorant for sensitive skin on the market!

Our mineral deodorant formula uses a combination of mineral salts to control odour, and is free from many common allergens. Nada is aluminium free, bicarb free, essential oil and fragrance free - formulated with sensitive skin in mind.

Plus, you can apply it straight after shaving with absolutely no stinging or irritation - in fact the zinc oxide actually soothes the skin!

Personally, whilst some essential oils set my skin off, I can tolerate others, and Flora is my go-to deodorant for sensitive skin. Check out all of our deodorants here - and if you'd like to give them a go - we also have minis available.

"Excellent deodorant for sensitive skin - I am allergic to tea tree oil and became sensitised to other essential oils so I would sometimes break out in a rash when using deodorants containing those ingredients. Candice recommended Nada and it has worked beautifully. I used it extensively for 1.5 months. If you have sensitive skin, definitely try this!" - Seney H.

*In a study published in the Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists (Vol 58 No 3 May/June 2007)