Nowadays we become more and more aware of the danger of chemicals for our bodies. But judging by the popularity and demand for deodorants many people still don’t realize the harm of the ingredients that are being used to produce them.
“When you eat something, it’s broken down by your liver and digestive system,” says Heather Patisaul, Ph.D., an associate professor of biology at North Carolina State University. “But when you put something on your skin, there are times when it can enter your bloodstream without being metabolized.”
There have been a few types of research that had been done by different independent laboratories that proof the harmful effect caused by some chemical compounds on our bodies, such as parabens, aluminum, phthalates, fragrance. It is easy to find information about them on the Internet.
Here I would like to share with you some natural alternatives to conventional deodorants.
- Lemon. Kills bacteria and odor naturally.
- Coconut oil has some antibacterial effect and at the same time moisturizing the skin.
- Castile Soap. Plant-based soap has natural antiseptic, hydrating and soothing properties. Dilute in water before use.
- Some essential oils such as lavender, sage, lemon, bergamot, tea tree are powerful natural deodorants. When using extracts, which own more powerful properties, just use a few drops in a mixture.
If you like craft you can make your own deodorant. Here is one of the recipes.
-1/4 cup baking soda;
-1/4 cup arrowroot powder (or cornstarch);
-5-6 Tbsp Coconut oil;
-10 drops of any essential oil (avoid some of the oils like clove or cinnamon bud oil as they are very strong and could cause a burning effect).
First mix together baking soda, coconut oil, and arrowroot powder (or cornstarch) in a smooth texture. Then mix in essential oils.
Use a glass container (with lid) and store it in the fridge.