DIY Chemical Free Deodorant

Photo from asonomagarden.wordpress.com

I've been weary of the ingredients in antiperspirants and deodorant for quite some time.  In her book, No More Dirty Looks, author Siobhan O'Connor looks at some of the main ingredients to help readers decide for themselves...

• Aluminum: Aluminum is a neurotoxin linked in studies to detrimental health effects in lab animals. It was thought to be associated with Alzheimer’s, but data is inconclusive and controversial. One human study found it in breast tissue, and given the proximity of armpits to breasts, it seemed to indicate aluminum's ability to migrate from the armpit into the body. Perhaps that's thanks in part to....
• Triclosan: Triclosan is an antibacterial agent that is so controversial that even the FDA is getting mad about it. It's in antiperspirant and deodorant because the thing that makes people smell is bacteria—not sweat. It's been shown to be a hormone disruptor capable of changing the sex of fish, and it's also suspected to be responsible for certain strains of resistant bacteria
• Fragrance: A major difference between one brand's "Swagger" antiperspirant and its "Classic" is the smell—a proprietary blend of chemicals lumped together under the vague rubric of "fragrance."
• BHT: While less commonly used, this bad-boy is linked in studies to nervous-system effects at low doses, is dubbed "expected to be toxic or harmful" by Environment Canada's Domestic Substance List, and there are studies linking it to the C-word.
• Penetration enhancers: That's a fancy term for ingredients that help carry other ingredients—often the active ones—into your body so they can do their job. There are many different kinds, like propylene glycol and Disodium EDTA. Often, these ingredients on their own are not the worst of the bunch—but they can be problematic because they basically work as an express lane for the absorption of more troubling ingredients.

Personally, I'm not going to take any chances by putting this slew of chemicals on and consequently into my body.  I have tried many of the natural brands on the market and after years of searching found this one by Soapwalla that I love.

As I said in my last post, I make most of the products I put on my body and decided why not give deodorant a try?  I found a great recipe and whipped up a batch last weekend, a little skeptical as to whether it would keep me smelling fresh and clean.

I've been using my DIY deodorant all week and it is AMAZING.  I love my soapwalla, but at $12 a pop it isn't cheep.  Keep in mind that I am a teacher who chases after kindergarteners for eight hours a day.  Most days I come home and either go for a run or do a yoga class.  All week I have applied my homemade deodorant in the morning and by evening I am odor-free!  Today was the ultimate test, however, because we went on a field trip at school--playing at a park, a long walk, and a tour around the Butterfly Pavilion.  I'm excited to say that my deodorant kept me fresh all day!  The only negative to this recipe is that it is a little tricky to get out of the container (the coconut oil/baking soda/and arrowroot get a bit tough) and of course I'm applying it to my underarms with my fingers.  In my opinion, this minor inconvenience is worth it for a product that keeps me fresh and contains no harmful chemicals.

Homemade Deodorant Recipe (from Lana Purcell)

• 1/4 cup arrowroot powder
• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 5 tablespoons of coconut oil
• 20 drops of essential oil

Mix it all together.  It is easier if the coconut oil is melted down.  Pour into a mold or glass container.  I used lavender oil in my first batch, but I imagine tea tree oil, peppermint, or some mix of the three would be nice.