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Want to exchange between Mg(OH)₂ and TEC in deodorant
Hi everyone,
Like many of you on this forum, I’m developing a deodorant and have read numerous discussions here. Below is a summary of what I’ve learned so far.
First, I’m working on an anhydrous stick deodorant; later I’ll develop a cream version (I haven’t yet decided if it will be anhydrous or water-based). All formulations will be aluminum-free and natural.
From what I understand, there are two main approaches:
1. High pH activity – Mg(OH)₂ + Zinc ricinoleate
The deodorant neutralizes body odours by raising the pH. It’s an alternative to baking soda, but can still irritate sensitive skin due to its high pH.
2. Low pH activity – Triethyl citrate (TEC)
It inhibits odor in an acidic way, rather than alkaline. These two mechanisms can’t be combined effectively.
A few years ago, most indie brands favoured TEC, but more recently I’ve seen new and best-selling products using baking soda or Mg(OH)₂, and some even combine both strategies (TEC + baking soda). Major brands have also released various versions over time.
In conclusion, I’d love to hear your thoughts: which approach do you prefer high pH or low pH activity and what pH level do you target when the deodorant contacts sweat?
Thank you!
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4 Replies
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I have sensitive skin… Mag or BS would likely send me to the ER.
TEC is NOT low pH…it has NO pH.
TEC is used IN a low pH system. These systems are MUCH MORE difficult to make well….hence the indie brands have dropped back to beginner level concepts without regard to the users skin.
If you simply drop high pH items and sub in TEC….you will be sorely disappointed. It is a tiny piece to a big puzzle.
If you think the Indie brands have the best and brightest and most experienced cosmetic chemists on the payroll….maybe think again.
Good Luck.
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The mag used it deo…is traditionally a higher pH than the BS used. Scratch your head for a minute…its allowed. So why is BS exponentially more irritating than the mag? Solubility. BS creates a very rapid….for lack of a better term…. explosion of high pH. Mag has poor solubility in water (water is introduced by skin and sweat). Hence, for lack of a better term…. it is more like a ‘timed release’ elevation and maintenance of high pH. See the difference?
If you look at where microbes (the source of odor) thrive….in general, the range is 5-8 (of course there are outliers). Hence it is easiest to make a deo….either above or below that range. That is why you see the two systems on the market.
When we use soap on our skin….it is high pH. Hence we ‘wash it off’ after use. So, leaving something in place, that is high pH…is profoundly different….than using soap.
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My deo’s were horrible and very few people bought them but the few who did found me because nothing worked on their sensitive skin. I no longer have the formula but is was very simple and low ph. From what I read, acid helps with odor. At the time the scientist who wrote the blog didn’t know exactly why acids resolved BO but I think its common sense related. A lot of us grew up using vinegar to remove stubborn odor, it appears to be highly effective as deodorant too. I incorporated that into my stick deo. Along with some clay and rice powder, it worked. So if you want to experiment with something very simple, its a good start. I would always advise against baking soda, I don’t know the science behind incorporating it into deo but its so irritating to skin, that would make BO potentially worse. Especially after shaving when bacteria can go into a frenzy.
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Cute that you called the ‘blogger’ a scientist. 😉 If they actually were….then they would have known the reason!
Baking soda does only one thing. It raises pH. The irritation…is essentially a pH burn.
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This reply was modified 1 hour, 42 minutes ago by Graillotion.
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This reply was modified 1 hour, 42 minutes ago by
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