[First, two asides:
1: My apologies for publishing a post that didn't actually say anything. I'm still getting used to the new Blogger look. If you don't follow through Google Reader, you probably didn't notice.
2: I said not long ago that I likely wouldn't be blogging much, if at all, for a while, and instead I've managed a post nearly every day this week. I'm on a sort of modified bed rest, and it turns out I have little to do while I sit on the couch . . . except write blogs.]
It's been a while since I wrote a "natural living" post, and this week I've got quite the doozy for you. This past Saturday evening, while the rest of the world . . . did whatever the rest of the world does on Saturday evenings . . . I made homemade deodorant. (And you thought going no 'poo was bad.) The reasons for my foray into homemade deodorant are several:
1. We stopped getting the Sunday paper, so I no longer have coupons at my disposal. Deodorant isn't cheap, and my last container ran out on Saturday morning. (I used the empty container, cleaned out and refilled with my homemade stuff.)
2. Everything I read about aluminum says it's really, really bad for you. (There is information about this on the recipe site I used, which I'll post below.) It's especially bad to be slathering it all over your armpits, which are so close to your breasts (read: potential cause of breast cancer).
3. Tom's of Maine (which is my husband's preferred brand, and which does not contain aluminum) is even more expensive than regular deodorant.
4. I know people who keep bees, and when I asked if they sold beeswax, they offered it to me free as a thank-you for teaching their daughters in church choir. Free beeswax + a recently-purchased 5-gallon bucket of coconut oil = crunchy experiments in my kitchen.
I've come across quite a few different recipes for deodorant, but all of them pretty much variations on a theme: baking soda, cornstarch, coconut oil. As I said, since I had beeswax on hand, I went with a slightly more involved recipe from Keeper of the Home, one of my go-to "natural living" blogs. You can find the recipe (as well as information on why to avoid conventional deodorant) here. (And, if you're interested, an easier (read: fewer weird ingredients) recipe here, but I strongly suggest reading through the comments to see if that one will work for you.)
What I found from comments on deodorant recipes was that baking soda is often a skin irritant for people. Even though I don't tend towards skin sensitivities, I opted to use one part baking soda to three parts cornstarch, instead of half-and-half as most initial recipes suggest. The recipe called for an optional use of castor oil, which I did not have and therefore left out, but I wish I'd used a different oil instead: its purpose was supposedly to help it "slide" better, and the deodorant does not, in fact, slide easily over my skin. Something to consider for next time.
But of course what you're really wondering: how does it work? I'm five days in now, and I can honestly say that except for having to work a little at getting it on, I don't mind it at all. It's just deodorant, not anti-perspirant, so I've had to get used to being a little sticky at the end of hot days, but it's not bad at all (and no funky smell!). The first day I used it, when it was especially warm and I wore a sleeveless top, I discovered that in sweating off beeswax and oil results in a yellow-ish stain on my white camis. I haven't done that particular load of laundry yet, but all the comments I've read who voiced the same problem said it washed out with no problem. I wore the same type of shirt today but did not sweat as much, and could not visibly see any stains.
The only essential oil I have on hand right now is tea tree oil, and I'd love to get some prettier-smelling oils to tame the rather strong essence of tea tree (though I'm not sorry for it, when I'm sticky and afraid of smelling funky!). I'd go for lavender or something similar, but I'm pretty sure Isaac wants to try it out as well, so I'll probably have to settle for something a little more gender-neutral. :)
With a few tweaks -- more oils to help it slide easier, as well as to adjust scent -- and perhaps a back-up plan for especially hot, white-cami-wearing days -- I have to say I'm pretty pleased with the results, and will not likely go back to conventional deodorant . . . ever!
1: My apologies for publishing a post that didn't actually say anything. I'm still getting used to the new Blogger look. If you don't follow through Google Reader, you probably didn't notice.
2: I said not long ago that I likely wouldn't be blogging much, if at all, for a while, and instead I've managed a post nearly every day this week. I'm on a sort of modified bed rest, and it turns out I have little to do while I sit on the couch . . . except write blogs.]
It's been a while since I wrote a "natural living" post, and this week I've got quite the doozy for you. This past Saturday evening, while the rest of the world . . . did whatever the rest of the world does on Saturday evenings . . . I made homemade deodorant. (And you thought going no 'poo was bad.) The reasons for my foray into homemade deodorant are several:
1. We stopped getting the Sunday paper, so I no longer have coupons at my disposal. Deodorant isn't cheap, and my last container ran out on Saturday morning. (I used the empty container, cleaned out and refilled with my homemade stuff.)
2. Everything I read about aluminum says it's really, really bad for you. (There is information about this on the recipe site I used, which I'll post below.) It's especially bad to be slathering it all over your armpits, which are so close to your breasts (read: potential cause of breast cancer).
3. Tom's of Maine (which is my husband's preferred brand, and which does not contain aluminum) is even more expensive than regular deodorant.
4. I know people who keep bees, and when I asked if they sold beeswax, they offered it to me free as a thank-you for teaching their daughters in church choir. Free beeswax + a recently-purchased 5-gallon bucket of coconut oil = crunchy experiments in my kitchen.
I've come across quite a few different recipes for deodorant, but all of them pretty much variations on a theme: baking soda, cornstarch, coconut oil. As I said, since I had beeswax on hand, I went with a slightly more involved recipe from Keeper of the Home, one of my go-to "natural living" blogs. You can find the recipe (as well as information on why to avoid conventional deodorant) here. (And, if you're interested, an easier (read: fewer weird ingredients) recipe here, but I strongly suggest reading through the comments to see if that one will work for you.)
What I found from comments on deodorant recipes was that baking soda is often a skin irritant for people. Even though I don't tend towards skin sensitivities, I opted to use one part baking soda to three parts cornstarch, instead of half-and-half as most initial recipes suggest. The recipe called for an optional use of castor oil, which I did not have and therefore left out, but I wish I'd used a different oil instead: its purpose was supposedly to help it "slide" better, and the deodorant does not, in fact, slide easily over my skin. Something to consider for next time.
But of course what you're really wondering: how does it work? I'm five days in now, and I can honestly say that except for having to work a little at getting it on, I don't mind it at all. It's just deodorant, not anti-perspirant, so I've had to get used to being a little sticky at the end of hot days, but it's not bad at all (and no funky smell!). The first day I used it, when it was especially warm and I wore a sleeveless top, I discovered that in sweating off beeswax and oil results in a yellow-ish stain on my white camis. I haven't done that particular load of laundry yet, but all the comments I've read who voiced the same problem said it washed out with no problem. I wore the same type of shirt today but did not sweat as much, and could not visibly see any stains.
The only essential oil I have on hand right now is tea tree oil, and I'd love to get some prettier-smelling oils to tame the rather strong essence of tea tree (though I'm not sorry for it, when I'm sticky and afraid of smelling funky!). I'd go for lavender or something similar, but I'm pretty sure Isaac wants to try it out as well, so I'll probably have to settle for something a little more gender-neutral. :)
With a few tweaks -- more oils to help it slide easier, as well as to adjust scent -- and perhaps a back-up plan for especially hot, white-cami-wearing days -- I have to say I'm pretty pleased with the results, and will not likely go back to conventional deodorant . . . ever!
Thanks for this important blog. You are a leader of women; encouraging and inspiring us to be safe and healthy. I switched to a mineral salt deodorant stone. All natural, no harmful aluminum and quite effective. I predict this product will end up costing me about $3.00 a year.
ReplyDeleteI pray your blog motivates others to consider moving away from harmful deodorants. As I write this, I have one dear friend recovering from breast cancer and another experiencing some unsettling abnormalities. These realities are frightening.
Thanks again for a great blog.
Thanks, Mom! I've heard good things about the deodorant crystals, and most things I've read estimate $6/year, so that's great if it's even cheaper! If I get tired of melting coconut oil and beeswax, I'll have to check that out. :)
ReplyDeleteThe one I bought is quite substantial and will last a lot longer than predicted. It may be because I never wear much deodorant anyways. I've always put it on rather lightly. This is a serious topic and I am glad you are addressing it! One of my best friends is experiencing some issues and has a mammogram today.
ReplyDeleteLadies, let's encourage one another to make important changes!