FAQ
Product
Why a balm? Why not a deodorant?
It's both.
Our underarm balm is a balm first, deodorant second. Its naturally anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties are married with moisturizers that make your pits (and other locales) healthier while rendering them unfriendly terrain for bad bacteria. That's more important to us than just covering up bad smells.
What's it made of?
Sodium Bicarbonate, Shea Butter, Grapeseed Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Essential Oils (Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Tea Tree, Lavender).
Does it contain aluminum?
No!! All Sodium Bicarbonate (baking soda) is aluminum-free, and the rest of our ingredients are paraben and aluminum-free, as well as vegan!
Is it an antiperspirant?
No. Antiperspirants are, well, dumb. They exist to stop-up your sweat glands / pores, which your body has for a very good reason. Without fully functioning armpits, you usually sweat more, and sweat on different parts of your body. We support the body’s innate desire to maintain health through temperature regulation. Therefore, our product is simply a deodorizing balm. It makes for a healthier armpit and a less hospitable environment for the bacteria behind funky smells.
Does it have a shelf life?
Yes. It will start to spoil (as oil-based anything does) after about 12 months in a cool, dark environment. We advise freezing the balm until ready to use, and then keeping it stored below 75F / 24C.
Mine has separated - is that normal?
Yes, separation is completely normal in certain environmental circumstances (namely temperatures over 75 F) and it in no way affects the balm’s effectiveness. If this has happened and you want to reverse the situation, you can either mix it up with your finger prior to applying, or mix it and stick it in the freezer for a few hours for it to re-set.
Will it stain my clothes?
Not likely. It is free of all nasty, waxy anti-perspirant ingredients that commonly leave white streaks on dark clothing. As a bonus, the baking soda in the balm actually helps to avoid leaving yellow stains from sweat.
How long does the scent last / How often do I need to reapply?
Both of these depend completely on your body and your environment (your natural oils and skin, the weather, activities in which you’re taking part, etc.). In general, application once a day will get the job done. Most users report that they reapply when they “feel they need to” - for the less aromatic, this could be every other day. It also depends on how often you shower.
Does applying more do more?
In our experience, not really. But if you find differently, please do let us know.
It feels great. Can I use it on dry skin anywhere?
We don’t recommend it. While the majority of the ingredients of the balm are oil-rich moisturizers, this stuff is geared for both odor neutralization and moisturizing. If you use it on dry or damaged skin you may experience stinging due to the essential oils coming in contact with your already-irritated skin.
It’s been irritating me and / or giving me a rash - is that normal?
If you are experiencing irritation or a rash, please stop using the product. There are a few potential causes for irritation. One is the unlikely situation in which your body and the balm just don’t get along. Your skin also may be sensitive from razor burn or other troubles (underarms are tender places!). Whatever the reason, if it hurts stop using it.
Pro-tip from Gillie @ Ware - if you shave your underarms and experience irritation, try shaving at night and applying the balm the next morning. This will allow your skin to rebuild its protective layer / be less sensitive to the concentrated ingredients in the balm.
Orders
How long between ordering and receiving?
It can take up to 3 weeks between placing an order and receiving your goods. We are a tiny operation, and a wee army of us does everything by hand. We ask for your kind patience in receiving your order.
What is your return policy?
Due to the personal nature of our product, we do not accept returns. However, if the product you’ve received is defective, damaged or you have other problems with it, we are happy to converse about issuing a refund. Please contact us at info@underarmbalm.com if you are unhappy with your product.
Do y'all recycle / reuse the jars?
Absolutely! If you have 6 or more jars, please reach out via this form with your most recent order number, the number of jars you have and the address from which you're shipping them. We'll send you a USPS pre-paid label to print out (and a discount code for your troubles :). We'll sterilize the jars and give them another life!
Why is my order wrapped in catalog pages?
We reduce, reuse, recycle in that order. Many of our suppliers send us catalogues on a regular basis. To make the best re-use of these, we give them new purpose in protecting your balm during shipping! We encourage you to recycle all of our packaging (100% of it is recyclable as paper / cardboard).
Refills
What's up with the refills?
While we love our little glass jars, we're mindful that even they eventually generate waste and require recycling. We started working on a low/no-packaging direct order refill option some time ago, and are SO stoked to have found a vegetable-based, entirely home compostable refill solution.
How do I use the refill?
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At room temperature, snip off a corner of the refill
- Massage the balm toward the snipped corner
- Fill your cleaned jar and enjoy!