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Commercial deodorants are full of chemicals and petroleum byproducts. You can ditch those for good with this DIY non-toxic natural deodorant recipe!
Did you know that your skin absorbs about 70% of whatever you put on it? Maybe it’s time we pay more attention to the chemicals in the products we use on our skin every day. Deodorant is an especially potent source of chemicals in the body, since the skin under your arms is very thin and delicate and contains many pores. That area is also right next to your breast tissue, and some studies have found high levels of aluminum (a common ingredient in commercial deodorants) in breast tissue. You also may not be aware that approximately 95% of synthetic fragrances are derived from petroleum by-products – yuck!
Living sustainably means not only not relying on unsustainable materials such as petroleum, but also replacing them with natural and renewable ingredients such as plant oils and extracts.
The good news is, you can avoid these chemicals by making your own non-toxic and great smelling deodorant using safe and natural ingredients such as clay, baking soda, coconut oil, and essential oils. However, some people find baking soda irritating to the skin, so there are baking-soda-free options as well.
Below is a sample recipe from MindBodyGreen.com for a natural deodorant balm that will keep you smelling fresh all day long, but you can feel free to tailor it to suit your individual preferences and needs. The ingredients in this natural deodorant are all naturally derived and safe for most individuals to use, including:
Candelilla wax
A plant-based alternative to beeswax, which is suitable for vegans. It’s grown in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, and has twice the stiffening effect of beeswax, which I like since it holds better for a deodorant roll-up stick.
Magnesium hydroxide
A popular DIY deodorant ingredient. It acts as a buffering agent that balances pH to inhibit bacteria growth.
Arrowroot powder
Named for pulling out poison. It provides excellent moisture control.
Bentonite clay
An odorless, nonstaining healing clay that carries a strong negative charge, which binds to positively charged toxins to provide a detoxifying effect.
The recipe below will make a little over 1.5 ounces of vegan, unisex, baking soda-free deodorant, which is enough to last you a few months. You can use whichever essential oils you like from this list, but one nice combination is bergamot (15 drops), tea tree (8 drops), and clary sage (6 drops).
DIY Non-Toxic Natural Deodorant Recipe
Ingredients:
- ½ tablespoon candelilla wax
- 0.6 oz. coconut oil
- 0.6 oz. Shea butter
- 1 tablespoon jojoba
- ½ tablespoon arrowroot powder
- 1 tablespoon bentonite clay (or clay of choice for your skin-type)
- ½ tablespoon magnesium hydroxide
- 25 to 30 drops of essential oils
*Feel free to experiment with the ratio of butters, oils, and candelilla to find a consistency that you like. Also, many clays contain naturally occurring aluminum; however, the aluminum in bentonite clay is in oxide form in a clay particle and cannot be absorbed by the human body.
How-To:
1. Heat the candelilla wax, coconut oil, shea butter, and jojoba in a double boiler until melted. Combine well.
2. Pour this mixture into a glass bowl, adding the arrowroot powder, bentonite clay, and magnesium. Whisk thoroughly.
3. Prepare your synergy of 25-30 drops of essential oils and add them to your deodorant jar or stick.
4. Pour the bowl mixture into your deodorant container (that already contains your essential oils). Stir quickly so the essential oils blend well.
5. Cap and place it in the refrigerator until solidified.
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I guess I will have more money to save now if I start using this with my family.
Thanks for your comment! A lot of it will depend on your body chemistry. I have heard many varying reports of the effectiveness of natural deodorants. Some of them work great for some people, and not as well for others – it all depends on how your body chemistry interacts with the ingredients. If you try making your own and it doesn’t seem to work so well, try experimenting with different essential oils or varying amounts of the other ingredients and see if you can find a formulation that works for you. Good luck!
Nice suggestion. Commercial deodorants are indeed full of toxic materials so this is a good idea. I just wonder if this can be as effective as the commercial one especially for people who perspire a lot.
Time to ditch the deodorants with a lot of toxins in it. Thanks for these recipes.