Knowing that the primary action of a deodorant is to either kill the bacteria in your armpits or turn the armpits into a hostile environment for bacteria, you can focus your efforts on finding or making a natural deodorant with ingredients that will do the job without posing the risk of harm.
The good news is there are plant-based and natural ingredients that can produce both deodorizing and (to a limited extent) antiperspirant effects. Some of these include:
- Tea Tree or Manuka essential oil (antibacterial)
- Sage essential oil, sage tea or other form of sage extract
(astringent –helps inhibit sweat production) - Cypress, Lemongrass, Petitgrain and Pine Essential Oils (assist in regulating over-production and over-stimulation of sweat glands
- Witch Hazel extract (astringent and antibacterial)
- Goldenseal extract, tincture, or powder (astringent and antibacterial)
- Myrrh or Benzoin powder (antibacterial)
- Baking Soda (adsorbent and antibacterial)
- Cornstarch (adsorbent)
- Arrowroot powder (adsorbent)
- Kaolin or Bentonite Clay powder (adsorbent)
- Apple Cider Vinegar (antibacterial -lowers pH of the skin)
Other ingredients that are safe to use as fillers or binders include aloe vera and vegetable glycerin (for roll-ons), coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax (for solids), and additional essential oils for fragrance. If you’re making your own deodorant powder you can grind fragrant herbs like lavender buds, lemon verbena, or rose petals in a coffee grinder and mix them in with your other powders. Stay away from any form of Talc or Talcum Powder as this can be toxic to your lungs when inhaled. In fact, a 1972 FDA study showed that 39 out of 40 talc samples tested contained up to 1% asbestos! Talcum powder and talc fibers have been linked to ovarian cancer and respiratory illnesses.
Last but not least are natural deodorants made from potassium alum or ammonium alum. Not to be confused with metal aluminum this alum is a compound found in alum salts and used to make solid crystal deodorants -a popular natural alternative. Crystal deodorants leave a layer of natural crystal salts on the surface of the skin producing a hostile environment for bacteria, and have been used as a deodorant throughout history in Thailand, the Far East, Mexico and several other countries.
Using mass-market antiperspirants and deodorants may seem like a simple and innocuous thing to do to assuage your fears about the way you smell. But knowing the facts will help you identify the safest and most effective options to meet your needs. Now you have some more information that can help you make wiser choices. Do you use a “natural” deodorant? If so, which is your favorite and why?
I am a big fan of natural deodorants made from potassium alum. I think they work really great, and I have found the best results with the sprays, though the crystal rock works great as an aftershave. Anyways, I came across some images and research that suggests not all crystal deodorants are natural. Some are made from synthetic potassium alum, while others are made from naturally occurring potassium alum. Take a look at some comparison photos here: http://www.verdan.net/us/natural-crystal-deodorant-questions/deodorant-stone-comparison.html