All About Natural Deodorant August 7, 2018 17:29 18 Comments

Key Elements in Making Natural Deodorant & How it Works

Some people express that they are careful about what they put on and into their bodies, yet don't feel comfortable doing the same in regards to their armpits because of body odor, stains and excessive sweating. Luckily for them, there are now plenty of readily available natural deodorants that cover all these bases-- and without plugging your pores with aluminum and other potentially harmful chemicals. To prevent human beings from releasing sweat altogether by way of 'antiperspirant' is unnatural and can lead to build up underneath the pores, causes inflammation and ultimately make you smell worse. Deodorant containing only natural ingredients won't make you stop sweating completely (some ingredients such as corn starch will help to absorb moisture, but not block your pores), and most importantly it will help you maintain a fresh scent that lasts throughout the day. 

This is why we at Earth Speaks feel compelled to teach a comprehensive workshop on how to make your very own natural deodorant-- fully tailored to your personal needs and body. The ingredients used in natural deodorants are inexpensive and easy to find, thus making it even more cost effective to simply make your own at home! Not to mention the fact that it is much better for your body and the environment in the long run. 

If you can't make it to our class, we'd like to give a brief breakdown of some ingredients that are frequently used in natural deodorants and explain what their benefits are. 

Coconut Oil

Further affirming its title as one of the 'cure-all' products of the natural beauty & wellness world, coconut oil is an excellent and common addition to natural deodorants. It has antibacterial properties, meaning that it will help protect against odor-causing bacteria.

Cornstarch or Arrowroot Powder

These natural powders are both great for absorbing and trapping moisture under your arms. Neither are considered to be "antiperspirants" by the FDA, for this title belongs solely to aluminum, since it prevents you from actually sweating in the first place. However, they are both 100% natural and effective in reducing moisture overall. They also have no scent, leaving that job to the essential oils of your choice.

Shea Butter

Shea butter is filled with a multitude of vitamins and healing properties (another "cure-all" ingredient in my book), such as vitamin E which is incredibly soothing for sensitive under arm skin. It is also moisturizing and won't dry out your skin or make it itch. Shea butter can also help eliminate dark discoloration in the underarm area. Last but not least, its anti-inflammatory properties provide relief from any shaving-related problems, such as bumpiness or ingrown hairs and freshly shaved armpits. 

Beeswax (or other paraben-free waxes)

The wax is what holds the deodorant together (if you are making a solid deodorant or stick deodorant). It will prevent it from melting in high temperatures-- the hotter the climate, the more wax you should add. We will be using beeswax in our workshop, but if you want to make a solid vegan deodorant then you could also use candelilla wax. Candelilla is also a natural product, and a multipurpose vegetable wax. 

Baking Soda or Magnesium Hydroxide

Baking soda is a useful ingredient in natural deodorant because it absorbs and neutralizes body odors. It also helps to prevent excessive sweating. Some people may experience skin irritation from baking soda, so another natural alternative is magnesium hydroxide. 

Essential Oils

Essential oils make up the fragrance of the deodorant. Certain essential oils such as tea tree, grapefruit, lavender, geranium and bergamot all have antibacterial properties, making them ideal components for natural deodorant. Ginger, rosemary, eucalyptus, cypress and lemon are also excellent additions, containing various healing properties.

Bentonite Clay/ Activated Charcoal 

Bentonite clay or activated charcoal are optional components, however if you are transitioning to natural deodorant from commercial deodorant, I would recommend you add one of these detoxifying ingredients. Both activated charcoal and bentonite clay are efficient at drawing toxins out of your body-- therefore on the chance that there is still some aluminum remaining in your sweat ducts from your previous antiperspirant, these detoxifiers will release it from your body. 

If you want to know more about the process of making your own natural deodorant, send us an email at earthspeaksbrooklyn@gmail.com and we will send you a handout from our workshop! There is also plenty of information online, but I would try to refer to credible sources and cross-reference them to gather the best knowledge possible. Also, be sure to sign up for our email list (located at the bottom of our site) to receive invites to monthly workshops such as this natural deodorant class. Thanks for reading! 

 

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