Magnesium deodorant explained
Published 25 September 2026
Why magnesium is in natural deodorants
Underarm odour is made by bacteria breaking down compounds in sweat. Natural deodorants can't stop the sweat, so they work on the odour side instead. Magnesium salts are one of the most common ingredients used for this, because they help create conditions on the skin that odour-causing bacteria don't favour.
Brands use magnesium for two main reasons:
- As a gentler option to bicarbonate of soda, which some people find irritating.
- As a partner to bicarb, so a formula can use less bicarb while still controlling odour.
The forms you'll see on labels
| Ingredient name | Common in | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Magnesium hydroxide | Sticks, creams, balms | The most common form in "bicarb-free" deodorants |
| Magnesium oxide | Balms and powders | Often used with bicarb |
| Magnesium chloride | Balms and sprays | Dissolves easily in water; used in Lowena |
| Magnesium carbonate | Powders, some balms | Also absorbs moisture |
The form matters less than the overall formula: how much bicarbonate of soda there is, what absorbs moisture (starches such as tapioca or arrowroot) and what keeps the product comfortable on the skin.
Magnesium vs bicarbonate of soda
| Magnesium salts | Bicarbonate of soda | |
|---|---|---|
| How it helps | Helps control odour | Raises skin-surface pH, which odour bacteria don't like |
| Strength | Usually milder | Often very effective |
| Irritation risk | Lower for most people | The most common cause of rashes from natural deodorant |
| Best for | Sensitive skin, after shaving | People who need strong odour control |
Many people do well with a formula that uses both. If you've had a rash from a bicarb deodorant before, look for a bicarb-free magnesium formula instead.
What magnesium deodorant can't do
- It won't stop sweating.
- It won't "detox" anything.
- It isn't a magnesium supplement.
How Lowena uses magnesium
Lowena combines magnesium chloride with bicarbonate of soda and coconut charcoal powder, in a soft base of organic coconut oil and shea butter. Because it contains bicarb, patch test first if your skin is sensitive.
Frequently asked questions
No. Magnesium doesn't block sweat glands the way aluminium salts in antiperspirants do. It's used to help manage odour.
Many people find magnesium-based deodorants gentler than ones high in bicarbonate of soda. Formulas that contain both, like Lowena, may still irritate people who react to bicarb, so patch test first.
Lowena uses magnesium chloride, alongside bicarbonate of soda and coconut charcoal powder.
There isn't good evidence that a deodorant raises your body's magnesium levels, and we don't make that claim. Magnesium is in the formula for odour control.