Recently, more and more scientific studies have shown that some ingredients in conventional cosmetics are not completely safe. It's not that strange. After all, it wasn't that long ago when manufacturers added radium to facial creams in the 1920s to make the complexion more radiant! As a result of the new health awareness, more and more people are turning to natural cosmetics and organic products. Those who value knowing exactly which active ingredients are contained in their skin and hair care will even make their own care products to use every day. Making your own shampoo, creams, shower gel, hair and face mask or even deodorant - it's not as complicated as you might initially think.
Well, even if the radioactive components are once and for all a thing of the past, there are also other substances whose effects on human health have not yet been researched in detail or are used despite their negative effects. Here are some of the ingredients that are used in most deodorants and antiperspirants, but are not necessarily healthy.
Aluminium– It is a metal that has been linked to breast cancer in women and increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Parabens– These synthetic preservatives are found in so many personal care products. The biggest concern is that these chemicals disrupt our delicate hormonal balance. Paraben exposure has also been linked to birth defects and organ toxins.
Propylenglycol (E 1520)– This is a petroleum derivative. If used in large quantities, this additive can damage the central nervous system, liver and heart.
Phthalate– These chemicals are used as plasticizers in PVC. They are also linked to a variety of health problems including birth defects.
Triclosan– This chemical is actually classified as a pesticide and a probable carcinogen.
This list of harmful ingredients in deodorants can be quite long. For this reason, more and more people are deciding to make their own deodorant. We'll show you a few healthy alternatives to combat sweat stains and unpleasant odors. These recipes usually consist of 3 ingredients and are just as effective as mass-produced products. But unlike these, homemade deodorants pose no threat to your well-being.
This is one of the other important advantages of a homemade natural deodorant: it does not completely block natural sweating. They won't clog your pores and they won't prevent your body from cooling down during heat waves. You will simply feel good when you sweat slightly and this effect will last between 8 and 12 hours!
We'll start with a basic recipe for homemade natural deodorant. The majority of bloggers swear by it and use it as a starting point for their own improvisations. The ingredients – coconut oil, baking soda and starch – are not difficult to find and are easy on the wallet.
Baking soda, coconut oil and starch - Why are these ingredients effective?
Coconut oil is known for its antibacterial properties, which make it a perfect addition to deodorant recipes. It heals and soothes the skin and is great for preventing ingrown hairs.
Baking soda isone of the most useful home remedies, which has numerous areas of application. Due to its neutralizing properties, baking soda makes the smell disappear wonderfully.
Arrowroot starch is odorless and serves as a binding agent. But you can also use cornstarch.
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Make your own deodorant – recipe with baking soda, coconut oil and starch
Ingredients:
6 tablespoons coconut oil *
4 tablespoons baking soda **
4 tablespoons arrowroot starch***
a few drops of essential oils of your choice (optional)
Preparation:
Place the dry ingredients, baking soda and arrowroot starch, in a medium bowl. Add the coconut oil, mashing it lightly with a fork until it is doughy and not runny. Once everything is well mixed, add a few drops of your favorite essential oils.
Sage and lavender oils are known, among other things, for their ability to trap unpleasant odors. There are numerous ways to combine essential oils.
Favorite essential oil combinations:
Tea tree oil and rosemary oil
Lavender oil and orange oil
Lemon oil, lavender oil and frankincense oil
Tea tree oil and lavender oil
Ylang yang oil and orange oil
Peppermint oil and lemon oil
Just be careful that citrus essential oils are phototoxic. This means that when combined with direct sunlight they can cause skin reactions.
The scent of cypress, rosemary, sandalwood, patchuli and bergamot is ideal for men.
Store your homemade organic deodorant at room temperature in a small glass jar with a lid and use it to moisturize your underarms. A more convenient alternative is to fill your deodorant cream into an empty tube, preferably from used deodorant sticks. In summer you can store your deodorant in the fridge because coconut oil starts to melt at 23-24°C.
Additional Notes:
* Coconut oil deodorant will not leave greasy stains on your clothes, provided you don't use large amounts and let it absorb for a few minutes.
**Keep in mind that the baking soda in this creamy mixture will not dissolve and will create a slight exfoliating effect when used under the armpits. So don't use it immediately after shaving.
***You can replace the arrowroot starch with the same amount of cornstarch.
Make your own deodorant with shea butter
The homemade antiperspirant recipe is very similar to the previous one, but contains one more ingredient. It is shea butter that you can know all the benefits and ways of use following the link. And as we add something, the rest of the quantities change too, so here is the list of proportions:
3 tablespoons coconut oil
3 tablespoons baking soda
2 tablespoons shea butter
2 tablespoons arrowroot starch or cornstarch
essential oils of your choice (optional)
a few pellets of beeswax (optional)
How do I prepare my own organic deodorant?
The preparation itself is also a little different, as you have to “melt” two fats with different properties together. For example, the melting point of shea butter is 28 to 35 °C and you need to mix it with coconut oil through a water bath. To do this, simply place the two butters in a jar.
Please note that beeswax serves as an emulsifier (binding agent), i.e. it thickens the mass. So if you don't want a deodorant stick but a cream, you can simply leave it out.
You can also melt the mixture in the microwave if you have one to make preparation quicker. Finally, remove from heat and add baking soda and arrowroot or cornstarch. Mix very well, add the selected essential oils and allow to cool before use. It may take several hours, but you can speed up the process by placing the jar in the refrigerator for a few minutes.
Bentonite clay with antiperspirant effect
Another honestly lovely ingredient in healthy deodorant recipes is bentonite clay. Aside from its ability to absorb excess moisture, it can also extract toxins accumulated in the epidermis. That's why it is also used in a variety of face masks. Here is an example of a deodorant with an antiperspirant effect:
6 tbsp coconut oil (a powerful natural antibacterial agent)
2 tbsp baking soda (neutralizes body odor and regulates the pH value)
3 tbsp cornstarch (against sweat)
2 tbsp bentonite clay (provides additional anti-sweat power while eliminating toxins)
Make your own deodorant spray
A spray deodorant is an even easier option if you want to make your own deodorant. To do this, you will need an empty spray bottle and a pump spray container from the pharmacy. Below we offer you three clever recipes for a healthy deodorant spray.
Deodorant spray with witch hazel water
120 ml Hamameliswasser
85 g Aloe Vera Gel
¼ teaspoon baking powder
10 drops of sage oil
Witch hazel water is known for its anti-inflammatory, wound and pain-relieving effects. It is ideal for sensitive skin and also as aftershave.
There are people who cannot tolerate baking soda on their skin. Alcohol-based deodorant spray is an effective alternative. The alcohol has a disinfecting effect and kills odor-causing bacteria.
Alcohol-based deodorant spray
2 tablespoons (30 ml) vodka or schnapps
2 tablespoons (30 ml) distilled water
2 drops of rose essential oil
2 dropsFrom Jasmin
2 drops of orange oil
1 drop of lavender oil
Deodorant spray with apple cider vinegar
60 ml apple cider vinegar
60 ml distilled or spring water
30 drops of lemon oil
15 drops of lavender oil
5 Tropfen Teebaumöl
Diluted apple cider vinegar also has a good effect as a deodorant. It reduces sweating and neutralizes odors. As an alternative to apple cider vinegar, you can also use lemon juice.
Preparation and general information:
Pour all ingredients into the bottle, shake vigorously to completely emulsify the mixture. Make sure you have securely attached the cap to the bottle before shaking it to avoid spilling the liquid.
You must shake the deodorant spray well before each use as the ingredients can settle at the bottom of the bottle. In this way, all ingredients are mixed well before use.
Spray 1 to 2 times under each arm, then allow the deodorant to dry on the skin before getting dressed.
To preserve the essential oils in the spray longer, use a dark spray bottle to protect them from light. This means the deodorant spray stays fresh for up to a year.
Many supporters of organic products have had their own experiences with the deodorant recipes described above. Each blogger has designed her own natural deodorant according to her preferences, which is perfectly tailored to her personal needs and skin type. In case of allergies or other special circumstances, stop using homemade deodorant immediately.
