So, back in May I wrote about my deodorant. It worked SO well, until the full heat of summer hit in July.
If you're new to to world of natural deodorant, you'll have to detox first. Your skin is so used to relying on unnatural chemicals that block your pores and the natural process - your body needs to purge. After using these products for years there is build up and residue under the skin that takes time to pull out.
With conventional deodorant your armpits are most likely accoustomed to:
- Phthalates – a hormone disruptor and linked to infertility
- Aluminum – linked to breast cancer and Alzheimer’s
- Parabens – a hormone disruptor and can found in breast cancer tissue
- ethyl, methyl, propyl, butyl, isobutyl, benzyl
- Formaldehyde – a known carcinogen
- Antibacterial – a hormone disruptor and adversely effects the immune system
- Propylene glycol – an antifreeze agent
It will take several weeks for a complete detox. During that time, it's suggested not to wear any deodorant. If you try to skip the detoxing phase and immediately switch to a natural deodorant you will most likely experience noticeable irritability and more sweating with a stronger smell.
With such chilly weather, doing a detox now is ideal. After your detox, you'll notice less sweating, less stink, and less irritation without using deodorant. My detox lasted around three weeks.
PRO TIP: If you want to speed up the process mix some bentonite clay with apple cider vinegar. Apply with a rag on your armpits after a shower.
In July, when things were getting bad, I tried to use some of the conventional deodorant (Secret) that I had leftover. And, it was a disaster! My body had already detoxed, and I had lost all of the build up. It completely prevented it from working. (But, after reading that ingredient list - it's a good thing!)
Then I tried several other homemade deodorants. Most called for the use of coconut oil. Now, I'm about to commit wellness heresy. But..... I don't like coconut oil. I think it's just OK.
Also, the major problem with an oil base is if you sweat AT ALL. You have oil stains on the pit of your clothes.
One day of oil stains was enough for me - NEVER AGAIN. Then I looked into getting a crystal deodorant. But, the solid crystal came in plastic #6 and I couldn't bring myself to buy it. Then I noticed the store also sold a crystal deodorant spray. I read the ingredients:
Water, Natural Mineral Salts, Alum
Ammonium ALUM to be exact. Do you know what that is short for/contains? Aluminum. Exactly what I was trying to avoid in my deodorant. And, it's used only for molecule distribution. So you don't have to shake it up before using it.
Well, I have natural mineral salt and water in my kitchen and I don't mind giving my deodorant a little shake before I use it. Do you? Thus a new recipe was born.
I still use baking soda, but if you're sensitive you could try and swap it for bentonite clay.
All Natural Zero Waste Deodorant
Makes 2 oz
2 oz of Water
1 Teaspoon of Baking Soda
- Absorbs moisture
- Natural deodorizer that helps neutralize odor
- Is alkaline and helps prevent excess sweating
- Lowers your pH level to counteract the acids in sweat.
- further reading
1 Teaspoon of Himalayan Pink Salt
- Provides essential minerals and trace elements
- Helps eliminate toxins
- Balances the bodies pH
- Helps to increase blood circulation
Heat 2 oz of water in a double broiler. Bring the water to a boil for five minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly. While it's still very, very warm, add the baking soda and salt. It should mostly dissolve in the warm water. There will be some particles left over and you'll have to shake before using. Pour into a spray bottle.
If you would like to add some scent you can use 2-3 drops of essential oil. I recommend tea tree because of the antibacterial properties. But, I'm not a huge fan of the scent.
And, just to prove that my deodorant works I went 10 days (YES, 10 DAYS) without showering. On day 10 I went to a party and hugged all my friends who are honest enough to tell me if I stink. And, I asked them to smell my pits; what are friends for!? The verdict is in - NO SMELL.
I spritz before bed and in the morning. Have you tried any natural deodorants? What are some of your successes or failures?
*UPDATE*
Some people have had difficulty with the spray nozzle clogging. Please make sure you're using fine salt. Also, I have tested this in a roll on bottle and it works great! You can skip the spray bottle all together and use a roll on bottle. The recipe is too large for this. So, I would keep a small mason jar in the bathroom and refill it. The deodorant will last a long time. With application twice a day most days - it should last 5 months and is shelf stable.
Illustration by Meggie Ramm check out her blog here.
