Homemade Non-Toxic Citrus Deodorant
Non-toxic citrus homemade deodorant? Sounds pretty granola right? Well, I used to love using my thick paste deodorant, it made me feel like I was assured not to smell ever! Raise your hand if you’re Sure! I also did not like to sweat much, my deodorant had me covered there too.
Well, then I learned just how toxic that deodorant was. The fact that it was blocking my sweat glands was a bad thing! What’s a girl to do? Somedays at work I can put on up to 12 miles in a shift, so I need deodorant. Period! I tried the “natural” deodorants from the health food store and they didn’t work for me. I decided to try making my own.
First, here is a break down of a couple of the most common harmful chemicals in the typical store brand deodorant:
- Aluminum: clogs up those sweat glands so we dont perspire. Well it turns out that we actually want to sweat, it cools down and detoxifies our body. Aluminum also builds up in the body and has been implicated in Alzheimers disease. Here is how it works as an antiperspirant:
“The aluminum ions are taken into the cells that line the eccrine-gland ducts at the opening of the epidermis, the top layer of the skin. When the aluminum ions are drawn into the cells, water passes in with them. As more water flows in, the cells begin to swell, squeezing the ducts closed so that sweat can’t get out” ~Dr. Eric Hanson of the University of North Carolina’s Department of Dermatology.
- Parabens: Used as a preservative to give cosmetics and the like a longer shelf life. They are a toxic petrochemical derivative that are toxic if swallowed or inhaled and is also harmful in contact with the skin. Hmmm, let’s slather some of that on our armpits every day for years and see what happens. Let’s not! They are also implicated as endocrine disruptors because they act like estrogens. Check your personal care products people, parabens are in everything!
- Talc: It is used as an anti-caking agent. Talc is classified as a carcinogen because it contains asbestiform fibers. If talc is listed on the label, there is no way of knowing whether or not it contains asbestiform fibers. Although asbestos-free talc has been widely used since the ’70’s it is not well regulated so it’s best to stay away
- Propylene Glycol: Gives deodorant that glide when you apply it. It is also known as Antifreeze! NIOSH says it is a neurotoxin and may cause kidney or liver damage. The EPA says it’s not fully investigated for carcinogenic potential.
After all that toxic mess, I decided to just make my own Non-toxic Citrus Homemade Deodorant. But, I wanted it to smell good. I looked through my essential oils and chose lemon oil because it’s touted for its uplifting properties.
Non-toxic Citrus Homemade Deodorant
Ingredients:
- 6 tsp coconut oil, melted
- 1/4 cup baking soda — where to find
- 1/4 cup arrowroot powder — where to find
- 15-20 drops lemon essential oil
Directions:
- Combine baking soda and arrowroot powder in a bowl and mix with a fork
- Mash in the coconut oil until a nice paste forms
- Add in essential oil to your scent level preference
- Scoop into jar
- I used these jelly jars for mine because they are so cute! (you can also find some really cute bottles and jars HERE)
- Use Non-toxic Citrus Homemade Deodorant as needed. The smell is very refreshing and I can honestly say that I have never had a better working deodorant!
I also have heard great results from adding Petitgrain Essential Oil to help with perspiration. See the graphic below for more information on the usage of this oil.
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Hi, my name is Kate.
I love food. Real food. We eat all of the things that nursing school taught me were bad for you: butter, eggs, bacon, and raw milk.
I am a Nurse, a Mom, and a Real Food loving blogger. Just trying to save the world.