Is MINT Right for Sensitive Skin?
SENSITIVE SKIN
“The honest answer is that MINT is not for every underarm.”
Gentle is the goal, for skin and for everything else.
We are proud of MINT’s formula. It’s simple, it’s clean, and it works. But a natural deodorant that works can’t be universally gentle. (Believe us, we tried.) MINT contains baking soda and peppermint, and either one can be a problem for some sensitive skin.
That is a tough truth, but we will not ignore it or try to explain it away. Many people use baking-soda deodorant without an issue. But some do not. If your skin is in that second group, MINT may simply not be the right product for you, and that is completely okay.
Why baking soda can be irritating
This is not about “toxins” or your body needing to “detox.” It is a straightforward pH issue. Healthy skin is naturally a little acidic, roughly pH 4.5–5.5, while baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is alkaline, around pH 8.3–9. That difference can disrupt the skin’s usual balance and may lead to dryness or irritation for some people. Healthline explains the pH difference here and here.
Peppermint is also worth naming plainly. Its fresh scent is part of what makes MINT feel like MINT, but fragrant essential oils can be a trigger for sensitive skin too, especially when skin is already stressed. SELF notes that essential oils can irritate skin that has been broken or cut from shaving.
Baking-soda formulas are not unusual for this reason, and neither is MINT. They work very well for a lot of people, but sensitivity is a real limitation of this type of formula.
If you have sensitive skin, start cautiously
The best first step is a patch test. Apply a small amount of MINT to a small area of skin, such as the inner elbow or a quarter-sized spot on your forearm, and wait 24–48 hours before using it on your underarms. If you notice redness, itching, or irritation, stop there. MINT is not a good match for your skin. Healthline recommends testing baking soda on a small area before underarm use.
If the patch test goes well, start with one light swipe per underarm on clean, dry skin. A thick layer is not more effective, and more product means more contact with ingredients that could bother your skin. Start small. You can always adjust tomorrow.
Please do not apply it right after shaving
Freshly shaved underarms are more vulnerable by nature. Shaving can leave tiny cuts and irritation behind, and putting deodorant on immediately afterward can make that irritation worse. Dove explains that shaving can cause micro-cuts and that immediate deodorant application can further irritate the skin.
Give your skin a meaningful break before trying MINT: several hours at minimum is a sensible rule of thumb. If it fits your routine, shave at night and apply MINT the next morning. It is a small pause that can make a meaningful difference for sensitive skin.
If MINT irritates your skin
Stop using it. You do not need to “power through” a rash in hopes that your skin will adjust. Gently wash the area with a mild, fragrance-free cleanser to remove any residue. A cool compress or a fragrance-free moisturizer may help keep the area comfortable. SELF recommends stopping and gently cleansing the area, and Dove suggests a cool compress to soothe irritation.
When a new deodorant is the cause, irritation often settles within a few days after you stop using it. This is general skin-care information, not medical advice: if irritation persists, worsens, or you are worried about it, please see a dermatologist. SELF advises seeking medical care if symptoms persist or worsen.
And please know this: if MINT is not right for your skin, we would rather you stop using it than keep trying to make it work. No-questions-asked refunds are available.
Even on the softest, quietest days, he’s got it figured out.
Still have questions?
We’ve covered irritation, ingredients, and everything else people ask us most often over on our FAQ page. And if you’re curious about exactly what’s in the stick and why, the Ingredients page breaks it all down.