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The best natural deodorants are ones that keep you smelling fresh, are made with quality ingredients, and don’t irritate your sensitive underarm skin. The problem: some of them contain baking soda, which absorbs sweat — but can also cause a rash or irritation for some armpits. No thanks!

We asked an expert about why this goes down with these particular types of natural deodorants. “Baking soda has an alkaline pH,” explains Dr. Debra Jaliman, board-certified NYC dermatologist, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and author of Skin Rules: Trade Secrets from a Top New York Dermatologist. “A rash can be caused when the pH balance is thrown off.” If you’re part of the pH-sensitive set, looking for natural deodorants without baking soda may be the way to go.