Understanding Deodorant Ingredients & How They Work
Do Viva deodorants cause irritation like other natural deodorants?
Most natural deodorants use baking soda, which is highly alkaline and can cause irritation on sensitive underarms. Viva La Body deodorants are bicarb-free and aluminium-free, using magnesium hydroxide instead. Magnesium doesn't disrupt your skin's pH—it neutralizes odour-causing bacteria without irritation, with no harsh alkalinity or friction damage.
All three scents (Patchouli Rose, Lavender Fresh, Sensitive Unscented) are formulated with magnesium, making them gentler than most "natural" alternatives while still being highly effective.
Why would I choose magnesium over baking soda or aluminium?
Aluminium (conventional antiperspirant): Blocks sweat entirely (preventing natural cooling), linked to some health concerns with long-term exposure. Your body can't cool naturally.
Baking Soda (common in "natural" deodorants): Raises skin pH and can irritate sensitive skin, cheap ingredient (good for brands, bad for your skin), grittiness can cause friction damage on delicate underarm skin.
Magnesium Hydroxide (Viva La Body choice): Neutralizes odour without changing pH, absorbs moisture without drying, allows natural sweating, smooth texture with no grittiness, gentler on sensitive skin types.
Magnesium is the only ingredient that balances effectiveness with comfort. Read our detailed ingredient comparison.
Do the deodorants contain aluminium, bicarbonate (bi-carb), or other common deodorant ingredients?
No way! Viva only uses natural ingredients which are kind to your body and the planet. Viva La Body deodorants are formulated with no aluminium, no parabens, no sulphates, no silicones, and no baking soda (bi-carb). Instead, we load our deo's up with magnesium to keep your pits (and anywhere else you dare to use them) calm, fresh, and fabulous without any irritation.
Transition & Adjustment Period
Will I sweat more if I use natural deodorant instead of antiperspirant?
You might sweat more in the first 7-10 days as your body recalibrates after years of blocked sweat. This is normal—you're still controlling odour (magnesium neutralizes odour-causing bacteria), just allowing your body to function naturally. By day 7-14, your body normalizes and sweating becomes natural again.
Real timeline: Days 1-3 (noticeable adjustment), Days 4-7 (body settles, you feel normal again), Week 2+ (your new baseline).
If you're still experiencing irritation after 10 days, the issue is the formula, not the adjustment period.
Application, Storage & Consistency
How do I use the deodorant?
Roll it on like a regular deodorant. Seriously, that's it. For new users: it might feel different at first (you'll actually sweat, which is normal), but within a week your body settles and you're golden. If the stick feels hard or stubborn, try rolling it back and forth on a flat surface with gentle pressure, or warm it against your skin for a second. Magnesium gets a little moody with temperature, but it's worth it.
My deodorant stick feels hard or won't push up. How do I fix this?
This is magnesium reacting to temperature shifts. Quick fixes: (1) Roll it back and forth on a flat surface (don't push up)—this resets the stick and makes it glide smoothly again. (2) Warm it against your skin for 2-3 seconds before applying. (3) Store it in a cooler spot away from direct sunlight and bathroom heat.
This isn't a defect—it's proof your deodorant is made with real ingredients, not synthetic fillers.
Why did my deodorant change color, and is it still safe to use?
Colour shifts are completely normal and prove your deodorant is made with real, natural ingredients. Plant-based waxes, magnesium hydroxide, and essential oils respond to temperature, light, and humidity. The colour change doesn't affect efficacy or safety. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to slow shifts.
Colour shift = natural ingredients doing their thing. Embrace it.
What's the best way to store my products?
Keep everything in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Bathroom humidity is fine, but if you live somewhere scorching hot, store them out of the heat if you can. Natural products with real ingredients sometimes shift in colour or texture depending on temperature (that graining in deodorant, the colour shift in perfume) but that's proof they're real, not synthetic. Embrace the weirdness.
I noticed some graining in my product, is it normal?
Yep-aroo - that little texture quirk is totally normal. Our deodorants are packed with natural goodies like shea butter and coconut oil, so they sometimes show a bit of personality when temperatures swing. Graining doesn't affect performance, safety, or your epic freshness. Fear not your pits are still fully protected.
If the texture bugs you, just give it a tiny warm-up: hold the stick against your skin for a few seconds before introducing your deo to Brad's Pitts, or leave it in a cozy spot where it can warm up before going to work.
My deodorant is dry or has changed colour — is that normal?
Totes. Natural products like ours have a mind of their own sometimes. Plant-based and mineral ingredients can shift in colour, texture, or consistency depending on temperature, humidity, or a little travel adventure.
Store your deodorant in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight to keep it looking its best, but honestly these quirks are proof your product is alive, real, and full of goodness, not packed with some synthetic filler. Every shade and texture change is a little badge of natural authenticity. Embrace the weirdness.
Sensitive Skin & Effectiveness
Is there a Viva deodorant for extremely sensitive skin?
Yes—the Sensitive Unscented option is specifically formulated for reactive skin: bicarb-free, aluminium-free, zero fragrance, and faintly smells of natural base ingredients only.
Other options (Patchouli Rose, Lavender Fresh) use essential oils instead of synthetic fragrance and are also bicarb-free, so many sensitive-skin customers use them without issues. Learn which deodorant works best for reactive skin.
How do I know if a deodorant is actually working?
You'll know it's working when you don't smell. You WILL sweat (normal and healthy) and your pits might feel slightly damp (fine). You WON'T smell bad because magnesium neutralizes odour.
Test it: Wear through a normal day, do something warm, and check by evening if you smell. If not, it's working.
Extended Use & Other Applications
Can I use Viva deodorant on other parts of my body besides underarms?
Yes. Many customers use it on inner thighs, between toes, chest, and behind ears. Magnesium works anywhere bacteria + sweat = odour. The formula is gentle enough for most skin areas (do a patch test on sensitive areas first). One stick lasts longer than expected for underarm-only use, so extending it to other areas maximizes value.
GET IN TOUCH
How can I contact Viva La Body for enquiries or wholesale?
Got a question, a bright idea, or just want to gush about how good you smell?
General enquiries: love@vivalabody.com
Wholesale enquiries: sales@vivalabody.com
Office & Warehouse: 2/8 Tectonic Crescent, Gabi Gabi (Kunda Park) 4556 QLD.