I've recently learned more about the negative effects commercial deodorants can have on our body (thanks to my friend Erika). A quote from this blog says, Commercial deodorants contain aluminum salts which helps suppress perspiration. The toxicity in aluminum has been linked to cancer and Alzheimer's. It is especially important for women to take thought being that breast tissue extends up into the armpits.
I read a lot of the comments from other readers on the blog above about how over the counter natural deodorants (such as Tom's or Burt's Bee's) would stop working for them after a few months. Instead they tried the following recipe and loved it! I decided I would see if I liked the recipe, if it worked for me and how easy it was to make (I already had everything in my cupboard) and use.
Recipe:
1/4 cup baking powder
1/4 arrow root powder or corn starch
6-8 tablespoons of coconut oil (you can use refined or unrefined (smells better) coconut oil)
*optional* add a few drops of your favorite smelling essential oil such as peppermint or lavender (I didn't do this since the coconut already smelled so great)
Directions: combine the baking powder and corn starch (which is what I used) in a bowl. Slowly add coconut oil and mash together (you can also use a hand mixer) until it's the consistency you like.
I put the deodorant into an old deodorant container but that didn't last more than two days. It's been in the 80's here and coconut oil melts at 76 degrees. *It's optional to add beeswax if you would like it to be more firm and not melt at such a low temperature for the summers.* So, I moved the concoction into a little glass jar and it works great to just use my fingers to apply. If I have access on my hands I can simply rub it into my skin since it's moisturizing. The only thing I've found I dislike about this recipe is not having that antiperspirant in the deodorant, the pits are not always as dry and I'd like.
So, will YOU join me in this 30 day adventure? It's been great so far, you can ask David... he's smelled my arm pits everyday for a week and the results are yummy smelling pits! Haha! David has joined in and my sister Kim made her own this weekend too!Why is coconut oil slowly becoming one of my favorite staples around the house?
*No other oil has the anti-viral/bacterial/fungal parasite qualities that coconut oil has
*Healthy option for baking or cooking
*A great moisturizer (and it smells great too)
*A make-up remover
*A leave in or rinse our hair conditioner
*An after shave for men
**Any other ideas?**
4 comments:
Hi Kelly!
Little Nora is so cute!!!!!!!!!!
Our first baby is due any day now!! :)
I can't believe I'm leaving a comment about deodorant--but here it is: another "natural" option for deodorant is just to use rubbing alcohol in your pits. My husband and his brother have used this simple deodorant for years and love it. I used it for about 6 months, but then I found my body got "used to it" and it didn't work as well anymore, so now I use "tom's natural deodorant" which also doesn't have any alumunium in it. Note: I find I have to re-apply around 5pm to keep smelling pretty though :)
I love seeing pictures of you in your sweet family! (I found your blog through Abby's)
<3 lots of love, Melissa
Crazy! I've seriously been thinking about doing the homemade deodorant! I'm waiting til my current deo runs out so definitely let me know how it works out!
stef
Kelly
Thank you so much for the recipe. I have used Toms and Arm and Hammer has one kind that I've only found at Walmart. Being a Chemistry person I am becoming more and more convinced that chemicals and the reactions in our bodies are the cause for immune suppression and the possible consequences of that. I no longer use sunscreen, and am looking at all labels. I have numerous links I can forward to you about chemicals in makeup and vaccines if your interested.
Love you!
Lisa
Hey I just bought some coconut oil yesterday and I think I'm going to make the homemade deo tonight! until then i'm using it on my cuticles!
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