Putting on deodorant has become a regular personal care routine for many. If you don’t put it on daily, I am sure at some point in your life you have probably had some sort of body odor and used deodorant to block the smell. Body odor can be a result of what foods you are eating and whether you are drinking enough water. However, sometimes you can’t help but have some odor. There are many different deodorants on the market but most of them have toxic ingredients. Many have high levels of aluminum and parabens that have been connected to health issues such as breast cancer, kidney disease, allergies and alzhiemers. If you don’t want to purchase store bought deodorant, you can make your own natural deodorant.
Why use natural deodorant?
Anything you put on your armpit will seep into the lymph nodes and then your blood stream. There are many lymph nodes throughout and around the breast. When you put aluminum, parabens or any other toxic ingredients onto the armpits, the body’s immune system response is effected and could be connected to breast cancer development.
Many deodorants contain aluminum based compounds that act as a plug and stops sweat from flowing to the skin’s surface. There is research that suggests that if these aluminum substances are used frequently and left on the skin near the breast, it can have hormonal, estrogen like effects. Many scientists believe that because estrogen promotes the growth of breast cancer cells, that deodorants that contain aluminum may cause breast cancer. Many scientists have suggested that harmful chemicals in deodorants have been linked to breast cancer.
There has also been research focusing on the parabens that are often used in deodorants as a preservative. The parabens have been shown to mimic estrogen in breast cells. Parabens have been found in breast tumors
Most store bought deodorants contain high amounts of toxic chemicals and I urge you to do your own research on the effects of these chemicals on your body. There have been numerous class-action lawsuits against various companies due to injuries caused by underarm deodorants. This is why using a natural deodorant is the healthy way to go. However, if you have ever looked for natural deodorants not only is there not many to choose from but the ones that I have tried don’t even work and you still probably can’t read half the chemicals. That is why you might want to make your own natural deodorant.
So how do I protect myself from chemicals while smelling good?
Using deodorants with aluminum based compounds or parabens isn’t an option for me. I actually find the more water I drink and the healthier I eat the less I even need deodorant. But when I do, I make my own natural deodorant. There are some quick and natural easy ways to combat smelly pits. For one, I use my organic hand sanitizer that is in a witch hazel base and absorbs odors while killing bacteria with tea tree and lavender and leaving a nice smell. Another quick way to combat odors is to mix baking soda and coconut oil and spread it in your armpits. The baking soda absorbs any smells but some people are irritated by baking soda and can develop a rash from the use of it so test it on your skin first before using it on your pits. When buying baking soda makes sure its aluminum free like this one.
Make your own natural deodorant
If you are handy at all in the kitchen, I have formulated a recipe to make your own natural deodorant. The recipe is very simple and works too! I have highlighted all of the ingredients to make it easier for you to order online.
Natural Deodorant Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
- 1/2 cup Shea Butter
- 1/2 cup Organic Corn Starch or Arrowroot Powder
- 1/2 cup food grade Diatomaceous Earth
- Essential Oils (optional) I like to use Tea Tree Oil because it is anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal with Lavender which is also anti bacterial.
Directions:
- Slowly melt the coconut oil and shea butter until it is liquid, then transfer to a bowl.
- Add the diatomaceous earth and arrowroot/corn starch to the coconut oil and mix well (add essential oils if you’d like a scent)
- Pour mixture in the container you will be using.
- Allow to cool and harden.
For other recipes like this, check out my FREE Body Care Recipe Ebook here
Making your own products can be easy and fun. I find they work better, smell better and they make me feel all around natural. I really like knowing what I am putting on my skin, and you should too!! To make your own natural deodorant is good for your health because you know what ingredients you are using, also for your pocket book and its fun!
Cheers to your health!
~ Alex
Make Your Own Sunscreen
Body Care in Your Kitchen
Sources for this article include:
- https://breast-cancer-research.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/bcr2424
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14639125
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16045991
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/109158180802704s01