the sniff test
If an underarm rash is keeping you from fully extending in your yoga class, pesky razor burn may not be to blame, but rather irritation caused by a reaction to sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), a common ingredient in deodorant and antiperspirants, especially natural ones. The ingredient has a ph of nine (slightly alkaline), which can throw off the ph balance of skin (which usually sits around 5.5) and as a result make underarms uncomfortable. Since smelling fresh is workout (and general life) decorum, going without isn’t an ideal option either. Try these formulations that are baking-soda free, but still hold up in sweat sessions.