How to Make Healthy All Natural Deodorant

Why make your own deodorant:

1. When we sweat we release toxins, commercial deodorants block them, keeping them in your body. Aluminum in deodorants clogs your pores, blocking your body from eliminating toxins in your sweat.

2. Most deodorants/antiperspirants actually put toxic and carcinogenic substances into your blood, further increasing the chance of getting sickness and disease. Many studies have shown a link between increase antiperspirant and breast cancer and prostate cancer in men. And the reason is suspected to be that it blocks the pathway to eliminate the toxins while introducing. Other ingredients to avoid are below. Another way to decrease your risk of breast cancer is to increase your intake of Vitamin D3 from the sun. See my blog about that here.

3. It is easy to make.

4. It works better.

5. It’s cheaper!

Here is a way to make a deodorant that is actually healthy for you. Each one of the ingredients are described below with links of where to get them.

Ingredients:

Solids to melt: 1 tablespoon Coconut Oil (in very warm climates might use less than the other 3 liquids) 1 Tablespoon Shea Butter 1 tablespoon Cocoa Butter (important in warm climates) 1 tablespoon Beeswax (optional but recommended)

Powders: 2 table spoons Arrowroot Powder 1 tablespoon Baking Soda ½ table spoon Bentonite Clay (Optional – may stain light colored clothing) 1 capsule of Probiotic Powder (Optional - put in at the end so warm liquids don’t kill the probiotics)

Oils: 10 – 15 drops essential oil of your choice, (I like lavender, peppermint and tea tree. 10-15 drops are total not of each one) ¼ tablespoon of vitamin E oil

How to Make Your Own Deodorant:

For 1 person (1 standard deodorant container)

Mix powders: Start with mixing the powders. Mix 2-tablespoons or arrowroot powder, 1 tablespoon baking soda, if you decide to add the Bentonite clay, add ½ tablespoon of that.

NEXT, in a double boiler or small pan combine: 1 tablespoon Cocoa butter, 1 tablespoon of Coconut oil, 1 tablespoon Shea butter, 1 tablespoon beeswax, if you leave any of those ingredients out, just use equal parts of all those equaling 4 tablespoons.

Melt those at a low to medium temp until liquid, (do not boil or burn) then once melted together let it sit for about 15 minutes (or even put in the refrigerator for two or three minutes) until the consistency becomes that of a putty and mix that with your powders.

After mixing the powders with the melted oils, add about a quarter tablespoon of vitamin E oil, and 10 - 15 drops of essential oils. I use peppermint, teatree and lavender. (Also can use the Peppermint and teatree for toothpaste) (pregnant women should avoid those)

Then add one or two capsules of probiotics

Then use a spoon to put it all in your container or jar. Remember all of this is edible and healthy for your skin, so don’t be afraid to get it on you.

Then put it in the refrigerator to solidify totally, then after an hour or so you may have to twist the container a bit to get the deodorant from sticking to the sides so it can be turned up. No need to refrigerate in the future. (When traveling to warm climates it is suggested to keep in a plastic bag in case of melting.)

Ingredients to use and why (with links)

Coconut oil – I love coconut oil because it’s a great skin moisturizer but it also is a good replacement for the natural oils our body puts on our skin, that we remove when we use soap. Always look for organic, unrefined, extra virgin, cold pressed, Nutiva Certified Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil -- 54 fl oz

Shea butter - Shea butter is a moisturizer and good for your skin.

Shea Butter - 16 oz. - Organic - Unrefined - In HDPE Jar

Cocoa butter – adds to the consistency holding it together and has a much higher melting point than coconut oil so it will hold the deodorant together despite the heat and humidity. Also smells great and is great for your skin.

Organic Cocoa Butter - Unrefined - 16 Oz.

Beeswax – (optional) Good for consistency of the deodorant, healthy skin and also provides water resistance. Click the picture below:

Baking Soda – Has cleansing and antibacterial properties but also absorbs sweat. (If this deodorant irritates you, use less of this.)

One 16 oz Bob's Red Mill Baking Soda

Arrowroot Powder – Helps to absorb sweat and glide easier. (click pic below)

Bentonite Clay (Optional) I use this because this is so healthy for your skin, great for allergies, eczema, cuts, rash, or acme; it’s what is often used in a mud mask. (It also may stain light colored clothing, so I don’t use a lot of it.)

Essential oils – Fights bacteria and adds a great smell. Click here - Essential oils Vitamin E oil – (Optional) Very good for your skin because it’s an antioxidant that protects and repairs skin and helps with premature aging. (click pic below) E-Oil 32,000 IU d-Alpha 1oz

1 capsule of Probiotic powder – (Optional) this adds beneficial bacteria to your skin, to kill bad bacteria and prevent infections, rash, eczema, acme, and the bad smell caused by bad bacteria. (Note: Using a shelf stable probiotic such as Dr. Mercola or Prescript Assist will prevent the need for refrigeration).

Complete Probiotics by Mercola - 60 capsules

My Experience

This is one of the most rewarding DIY projects I’ve made and is the best deodorants I’ve ever used and feel great about it on my skin and the resulting smell of it. It’s so easy, I wonder why everyone doesn’t make it. I have very picky clients that have reluctantly tried it including hair dressers, who have their arm pits in their clients faces all day and told me they would kill me if it didn’t work and they love it! One more winner in the fight against breast cancer!

Other Ingredients to avoid in Commercial Deodorants:

Parabens are synthetic preservatives. Paraben exposure have been linked to birth defects and organ toxicity and they’re suspected to disrupt hormonal balance. This can lead to hormonal cancer, including breast cancer.

• - The center for disease control (CDC) did a random study of 100 urine samples and found all 100 contained Parabens. This shows the high absorption rate of chemicals we place on our skin.

PROPYLENE GLYCOL is an antifreeze and coolant and it’s used in motor oil. In small amounts it’s arguable safe but large amounts studies have shown damage to your nervous system, heart and liver.

Phthalates have been linked to birth defects and may disrupt hormone receptors and increase cell mutation.

Fragrance – which is bad for you in itself but they can also legally hide hundreds of chemicals including Phthalates under the term fragrance.

Triclosan is used for its odor killing and anti-bacterial properties, it’s classified as a pesticide by the FDA and a probable carcinogen by the EPA and it kills your healthy gut bacteria leaving you more open to sickness, disease, and poor digestive function.

BHT – (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) in addition to causing hyperactivity in children, BHT (and BHA) are considered carcinogens by the US Department of Health and Human Services. The site www.ewg.org/skindeep rates BHT as having a “high toxic hazard” and says it has been shown to be linked to cancer, developmental toxicity, allergies, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, biochemical or cellular level change.

In addition to these there are many other ingredients to avoid, especially those you don’t recognize as edible…

Sources:

frugallysustainable.com/2011/11/homemade-probiotic-deodorant-that/

www.naturalnews.com/033364_deodorants_chemical_ingredients.html?Click=43799

ronandlisa.com/2012/10/30/deodorant-dangers-ingredients-to-lose-those-to-choose/

thehealthylivinglounge.com/2011/04/04/how-much-skin-care-do-you-absorb-into-your-skin/