Although humans have sweat glands all over their bodies, the armpits seem to be the only place that smells unpleasant. The reason for this is that the arms hang down over the armpits, so they get very little air. This creates a warm, moist place that is perfect for bacteria to grow in.
The odor that people smell is a combination of the gases that the bacteria give off and pheromones that are released. The scent isn’t very pleasant, so most people wear deodorant to mask it. Some even try natural deodorant.
That’s since most deodorants that are sold contain aluminum and parabens. The aluminum is used to block the sweat glands. And the parabens act as a preservative to prevent the deodorant from “going bad.” But neither of these ingredients are good for the body.
They both contribute to an increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease and breast cancer. The parabens also cause a hormone imbalance because they act similarly to the way estrogen does. Because of this, many people are starting to make their own homemade natural deodorant.
General Information about Natural Deodorant
Natural deodorants contain a combination of ingredients that help to control the bacteria and moisture under the arms without any harsh chemicals. They usually contain several essential oils and some absorbative drying ingredients, such as bentonite clay, cornstarch powder, and baking soda. There is also some type of skin conditioners and natural preservatives added in. However, these ingredients are only used for making a solid roll-on type of deodorant.
There are homemade spray-on deodorants too. These are mostly used for quick touch-ups though, such as after a work-out at the gym. They are made with an astringent that has a few drops of essential oils added to it. So all a person has to do is spritz it on under their arms, and they are ready to go.
Five Ways to Make Your Own Natural Deodorant
Making your own natural deodorant is easy because all of the ingredients are found at most stores. It helps to have some empty deodorant containers handy, so you can refill them with the mixtures. However, if you don’t have any of them available, a pretty jar or any other resealable container will work just as well. It is important to mention that some people with sensitive skin may develop rashes if they use essential oils that are irritating to the skin.
So they might want to try making the recipes with only half of the amount of essential oils at first to see if they will have a reaction. They can also do a small skin test on their wrist. The following is a list of five easy deodorant recipes:
1. Moisturizing Deodorant
In a small pan, combine two tablespoons of shea butter, three tablespoons of beeswax, and four tablespoons of coconut oil. Stir the ingredients on low heat until they are all evenly melted. Then, add about 15 drops of chamomile essential oil, four tablespoons of arrowroot powder, and two tablespoons of baking soda. This recipe will make about two sticks of deodorant.
2. Four Thieves Deodorant
Melt five tablespoons of coconut oil in a small pan. Stir in one tablespoon of liquid Vitamin E and five drops each of lavender, rosemary, lemon, and clove essential oils. Then, add three tablespoons each of baking soda and arrowroot powder. This makes one stick of deodorant.
3. Citrus Deodorant for Heavy Sweaters
Melt five tablespoons of beeswax and three tablespoons of coconut oil in a pan. Stir in one teaspoon of castor oil and a few drops of Vitamin E oil. Add five drops of grapefruit seed extract and five drops of lemon essential oil. Then, mix enough bentonite clay in to make the mixture thick. This recipe makes one stick of deodorant.
4. Tea Tree Oil Natural Deodorant
Combine 15 drops of tea tree essential oil with five tablespoons of melted shea butter. Stir in two tablespoons of bentonite clay and three tablespoons of tapioca starch. This makes one stick of deodorant.
5. Spray-on Deodorant
Fill a small squirt bottle with witch hazel. Add about 15 drops of lavender essential oil to it. Put the lid on it. Then, shake it up. This spray can be used whenever you need to freshen up fast.
The Benefits of Natural Deodorant
Unlike the storebought versions, all of these recipes for natural deodorants can be adapted to fit a person’s needs. So if someone is sensitive to certain essential oils, they can switch them to other ones that work better for them. The deodorants can also be made in large batches for a fraction of the price that traditional deodorants cost, which is why many people give them out along with other homemade beauty products as unique gifts. And as you can see, it only takes a few minutes to make them.
Summing Up
Making your own homemade natural deodorant is fun and easy. So don’t be surprised if you never buy the storebought version of deodorant again. Feel free to either double or triple the recipes to be able to make enough deodorants for your whole family. You can reuse your old deodorant containers or purchase some that are refillable online. Some people put their deodorant mixtures in pretty jars too.
If you have ever made your own homemade deodorants before or you have tried some of these recipes, comment below to let us know what you think. We would love to hear from you!
