Homemade, Natural Deodorant
Recipe for Homemade, Natural Deodorant – Non toxic and effective!
Ingredients:
- Baking Soda – For Odor Control
- CornStarch – For Wetness Control
- Coconut Oil – For a pleasant scent, antibacterial properties, and a great medium to combine baking soda and cornstarch.
Combine equal parts baking soda and cornstarch. Using a fork or spoon mash in coconut oil until you achieve the desired consistency. You will probably end up using the following: 5 Tbsp Coconut oil, 1/4 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup cornstarch.
You can use empty deodorant containers to give your homemade deodorant and “normal” appearance or place in a small container and apply with your fingers.
Note: If you live in climates where temperatures reach above 75 degrees, you will need to refrigerate this mixture because coconut oil will melt if exposed to higher temperatures. Refrigerating it will give it a harder, easier to apply texture.
If you are looking for a scented version, you can include a few drops of essential oils while mixing.
If you are looking to take smaller steps toward homemade deodorant, you can start with Baking soda only. Baking soda will control odor. When using this method you will notice after a few days that your under arms seem naturally wet. This is a natural function of the body that you may not be used to because you have been using antiperspirant for so long. Corn starch and baking soda mixed together will solve this issue if it bothers you. To apply either of these versions of the deodorant recipe, just keep them premixed in a container. Shortly after your morning shower, while your underarms are still damp gently rub the mixture under each arm.
Why can deodorant be harmful?
I have always been one to question the “normal” products in use today. Most products as so far from their natural origins I can’t help but question their true effects on the body and mind. This holds true for most ingredients found in personal care products like toothpaste, shampoo, soap, and our topic for today – deodorant and antiperspirants. Yes, there is a difference in the two and no they do not just cover up odor.
- Antiperspirants contain fragrances, but they also contain chemical compounds that block the pores to stop the discharge of perspiration. No sweat, no odor.
- Deodorant allows the release of perspiration, but prevents odor by combating it with antiseptic agents, which kill odor-causing bacteria.
There are many reasons to avoid a variety of store bought versions of these products, especially went you have ingredients in your home which can effectively and safely be used as deodorant. Below is a recipe for a homemade, natural deodorant and information on the harmful ingredients found in store bought deodorants and antiperspirants.
Store Bought Deodorants and Antiperspirants
Store bought Deodorant have been linked to cancer mainly because of their use of aluminum and parabens. Studies have also found a link between deodorants and antiperspirants and developing breast cancer at an earlier age, Alzheimer’s, and other skin conditions.
Aluminum-based compounds (Aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly or any aluminum compounds) are the active ingredient in most antiperspirants deodorants because of their ability to clog the pores and prevent wetness. Aluminum is also absorbed by the skin and can increase estrogen and hormonal effects. Because estrogen has been linked to increasing the growth of breast cancer cells, scientists believe that antiperspirants that include this ingredient may contribute to development and progression of breast cancer. Studies have also found links between aluminum accumulation and Alzheimer’s.
Parabens are preservatives found in antiperspirants and deodorants. Parabens are are all derived from toluene, a toxic petrochemical derivative. Toluene is toxic if swallowed or inhaled. It is also harmful in contact with the skin. Parabens mimic the activity of estrogen in the body’s cells. To see whether or not your deodorant uses parabens look for the following names in the ingridents list: methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, or benzylparaben. Studies on parabens and breast cancer have found that parabens build up and collect in cancer tumors.
Shaving under the arms and applying deodorant or antiperspirant shortly after causes additional absorption of the deodorant or antiperspirant into the skin. The skin is the bodies largest organ and absorption is one of its main tasks. In fact, in 2003 a study was conducted on 437 breast cancer survivors. It found that the age of breast cancer development was significantly earlier in woman who used deodorants or antiperspirants and shaved under the arm more frequently. Furthermore, women who began both of these underarm hygiene habits before 16 years of age were diagnosed with breast cancer at an earlier age than those who began these habits later.
Other Harmful Ingredients to Avoid
Triclosan is another ingredient that can be used in deodorant or antiperspirant ingredients. It is classified by the FDA as a pesticide and when absorbed it is stored in body fat.
Talc is a carcinogen is it contains asbesiform fibers. The quantity of asbestiform fibers in cosmetic grade talc is unregulated. If talc islisted on the label, there is no way of knowing whether or not it contains asbestiform fibers. So it is best to avoid this ingredient altogether.
Propylene glycol can cause a delayed allergic reaction in some people, making it difficult to pin down the cause of the allergy. It is also a neurotoxin and has been known to cause kidney or liver damage.
Silica may be contaminated by crystalline quartz, which is a carcinogen.
A few resources for continued research:
- Dr. Christine H. Farlow, D.C. Dying to Look Good. ISBN 0-9635635-6-4.
- National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/AP-Deo
- Jones J. Can rumors cause cancer? Journal of the National Cancer Institute 2000; 92(18):1469–1471.
- Darbre PD. Underarm cosmetics and breast cancer. Journal of Applied Toxicology 2003; 23(2):89–95.
- Darbre PD. Aluminium, antiperspirants and breast cancer. Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry 2005; 99(9):1912–1919.
- Harvey PW, Everett DJ. Significance of the detection of esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (parabens) in human breast tumours. Journal of Applied Toxicology 2004; 24(1):1–4.
- Darbre PD, Aljarrah A, Miller WR, et al. Concentrations of parabens in human breast tumours. Journal of Applied Toxicology 2004; 24(1):5–13.
- Mirick DK, Davis S, Thomas DB. Antiperspirant use and the risk of breast cancer. Journal of the National Cancer Institute 2002; 94(20):1578–1580.
- McGrath KG. An earlier age of breast cancer diagnosis related to more frequent use of antiperspirants/deodorants and underarm shaving. European Journal of Cancer 2003; 12(6):479–485.
- Fakri S, Al-Azzawi A, Al-Tawil N. Antiperspirant use as a risk factor for breast cancer in Iraq. Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal 2006; 12(3-4):478–482.
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I love to write, learn, and share what I know - all while taking lots of pictures. I live in Los Angeles and am married to a very handsome man named Stan. We have a 5 year old Vizsla, a 3 year old daughter, and one on the way (due Aug, 2011). Thanks for stopping by!
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Make sure any cornstarch used is talc-free, otherwise you are putting petroleum bi-products in your deodorant. If you cannot find talc-free cornstarch, arrowroot powder is a natural alternative.