Finding the Right Deodorant for Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS)

I have a confession: that offensive body odor smell used to be me! As a person with hidradenitis suppurativa, I have a long, dark history with deodorant. My sensitive skin reacted poorly to many popular formulas, so I bravely sucked it up and went deodorant-free, not willing to sacrifice my skin for those around me.

Thankfully, I finally found a formula that works great for me and might work for you too.

Tackling underarm moisture with HS

Keeping my armpits dry had always been a struggle. After a long, hot day in the sun, the blow-dryer used to be my best friend. Even after showering, I'd hold my arms straight up toward the sky and place the blow dryer near my underarms. Leaving the area moist was just asking for a new flare, one that would be more painful than the last. Once my underarms dried, I avoided applying deodorant to any open wounds, which meant I simply went without on most days.

As you can imagine, going without deodorant on a blazing South Carolina summer day was a recipe for disaster. I had nothing to help me feel fresh and protect me from the onset of body odor. But a newfound passion for living a greener lifestyle led me to vegan deodorant formulas that are aluminum-free and good for the skin too. While I still go without deodorant when I have open wounds, I am more likely to wear deodorant most days and I can appreciate feeling fresh like never before.

Sweat makes hidradenitis suppurativa worse

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects areas with apocrine sweat glands. While aspects of HS are still misunderstood by medical professionals, it is largely thought to stem from a blockage of the hair follicles on the skin. This might be caused by sweat or sebum secreted from the sebaceous glands.

Moist underarms provide the perfect environment for germs to multiply, causing increased inflammation and infection. While I can’t control any of the possible sweat blockages inside of my body, I do take precautions to ensure I keep the skin under my arms dry.

I have tried so many types of natural deodorants in an effort to feel normal and remain fresh throughout the day. In college, I tried a popular natural deodorant that contains baking soda. I learned that I am sensitive to baking soda as I watched the skin under my arms peel.

Over time, I tried other formulas and I realized that most stick deodorants do not work for me because they are uncomfortable to apply. Having active boils under my arms makes the typical deodorant application extremely painful, so I tried spray-on varieties. Spray-on deodorants eliminated physical discomfort, but they left my underarms moist for a little too long, which, I feel, aided in my flares.

Finally, a deodorant that works for me

My favorite deodorant for hidradenitis suppurativa is from The Speak Collective. The key ingredients are arrowroot powder, kaolin clay, and magnesium. This combination makes for a gentle application to my underarms and gives my sensitive skin an instantly dry feel that lasts even throughout any vigorous activity. The Speak Collective deodorant is also aluminum-free and baking-soda-free.

Regardless of what deodorant formula you choose, know that options that exist to meet your needs. Key things to look for are formulas that are aluminum-free, baking soda-free, and made for sensitive skin. Some people need deodorant for hidradenitis suppurativa that is fragance-free as well.

Experiment until you find the formula that works for you!