Non-toxic Deodorant

What if I told you that I knew how to make a non-toxic deodorant, that is easy to make, that doesn’t leave white marks on your clothes, and that actually works?!?

Well, I do!

And I will share… because I’m nice like that.

I think we can all agree that no one likes to be stinky, and no one really likes that soggy arm pit feeling, either. So we put on deodorant and antiperspirant, right?

Which is fine and reasonable–except for the fact that most deodorants and antiperspirants have some pretty scary and toxic stuff in them.

Toxic stuff like… 

Aluminum–Abundant in nature, it can be toxic in large amounts. It can be found in aluminum cookware, antacids, and antiperspirants, and competes with calcium for absorption in the body. It can be deposited in the bones and central nervous system, particularly in people with decreased renal function. It is linked to breast (and maybe prostate) cancer, and and increased risk of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Parabens–A class of chemicals used as a preservative in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry, they are found in a wide range of personal care products. The are also used as food additives. They are easily absorbed through the skin and are a hormone disruptor. They have also been linked to breast cancer.

Propylene Glycol–Used in products to keep them at a consistency where they are easily applicable to the skin, it is toxic in large amounts, and known to cause damage to the central nervous system, liver, and heart. It is unknown what a “safe” does might be.

Phthalates–Used in plastics, they are included in a wide range of products from electronics, to medical care items. They are also found in many personal care items, often labeled merely as “fragrance.” They are hormone disruptors and can cause birth defects. They are implicated in breast cancer, and may contribute to a wide range of problems, including obesity, premature delivery, asthma, and ADHD in children.

Triclosan–Antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral, it is found in many personal care items, antibacterial soap, and in things like certain toys, furniture, and kitchen utensils. It penetrates the skin on contact and enters the bloodstream. It is a hormone disruptor, harmful to the liver, and linked to allergies, asthma, and eczema. It is a possible carcinogen, and may contribute to antibiotic resistance.

Ick!

While no one has yet been able to prove that deodorant is linked to an increased risk of breast cancer, sixty percent of breast cancer tumors are found in the upper, outer quadrant of the breast–the part of the breast nearest the arm pit and your deodorant. 

 

All that time I spend seeking out healthy food choices and natural products… and I’m spreading poison under my arms once, maybe twice, a day? Hardly ideal.

But let’s be honest. I’ve tried those all-natural deodorants. And They. Do. Not. Work. And if I’m stinky in November… let’s not even talk about July!

I was beginning to think that I was doomed to keep wearing my Secret non-whitening, “lavender” smelling, chemical-laden deodorant… and showering before bed in the hopes of washing off at least some of the scary chemicals before sleeping.

Which, by the way, is what I recommend that you do, but only until you get a chance to make this fabulous deodorant. And since it takes less than 10 minutes and you probably already have all the ingredients in your house anyway…

Just make it and toss the toxic stuff!

Non-Toxic Deodorant

1/4c  baking soda

1/4 c arrowroot powder or corn starch

1/3 c coconut oil

15-20 drops essential oil

 

 

Mix the baking soda and arrowroot powder (or corn starch) together. I was moved by this article to start removing corn starch from my life, but the first time I made the deodorant I used corn starch and it worked just fine. Now I use arrowroot powder.

 

 

 

 

I actually don’t like the smell of coconut oil (shhh… don’t tell, I’ll lose my “crunchy” credentials) so I use the expeller pressed, refined coconut oil for this. I have also used extra-virgin coconut oil and it works well… but I smell like coconut oil.

 

 

 

 

It’s best to use coconut oil that is solid. Just mix it in like you’re making biscuits or a pie crust. You certainty don’t need to melt the coconut oil; many essential oils are heat sensitive and might be damaged by the hot oil. However, if your kitchen is a balmy 86 degrees (as mine is right now), your coconut oil will be melted. Just stir it in.

 

 

 

I have used both lavender and tea tree oils with great success. They are both non- irritating, antibacterial oils and I like the way they smell. Currently I am using tea tree oil because my husband strongly prefers it to lavender, and I strongly prefer having only one jar of deodorant in the bathroom at a time. (My bathroom is teeny-tiny!)

 

 

 

Other thoughts to consider on your choice of essential oils… Do you shave your arm pits? My husband asked if I would give rosemary a try, but I declined. Rosemary just smells sharp to me and I didn’t want to find out if it really is sharp some freshly-shaved morning, if you know what I mean?

I have a lovely rose, though, that I would love to try. But I expect my husband wants to walk around smelling like roses even less than he wants to smell like a lavender blossom.

If you come up with a good combination, please let me know!

I keep my deodorant in a jar in the bathroom. In cooler weather, it is solid and you just scrape up a bit with your finger and rub it into your armpit. However, coconut oil melts at approximately 76 degrees… so, yes, today my deodorant is quite liquid. I spread it on with a flat wooden craft stick and all is well. I always give it a minute or two to dry before getting dressed.

You could keep the deodorant in the refrigerator, and then it would be solid all the time.

(If you are looking for a deodorant that stays solid all summer long, you could check out this recipe, which uses beeswax, and you pour it into a deodorant container. I haven’t tried it personally, but it looks good.)

Both my husband and I really like this deodorant and actually think it works better than the store-bought, chemical-laden varieties.

As proof, I offer the fact that it has been above 90 all week… and neither of us are stinky.

Have you tried this? Let me know what you think!

This post has been shared at Thank Your Body Thursday.