Traveling in a crowded train, giving a presentation, stress - it all sounds like a recipe for a potential armpit. And while they are traditional deodorants and antiperspirants designed to dampen body odor and moisture, the ingredients used can be harmful and even make your armpits smell even more unpleasant in the long run. They even they can change the pH balance to make the armpits a place adapted to bacteria.
Our armpits create a warm gathering place for bacteria. AND when we sweat, bacteria basically eat away at our moisture. The waste generated by feeding them creates a smell that we associate with sweat.
While deodorants and antiperspirants do different things, many of the stick armpit products you see on the shelves are actually combinations of deodorants and antiperspirants. Traditional deodorants use antimicrobials or ethanol to kill bacteria. On the other side, antiperspirants use aluminum-based salts to clog the sweat glands so these armpit bacteria can’t come down and create a stench. It may sound great to you - a double blow to the bacteria. However, a 2016 study shows that These traditional products change the ecosystem of your skin, and maybe not for the better. You could unknowingly increase body odor while lowering your immune system.
Your skin should have normal levels of bacteria. Like your gut, some of them are good bacteria. But the use of antiperspirants can lead to the growth or introduction of new and different bacteria - those that have an even stronger unpleasant odor than before.
If you’ve moved forward and thrown away your traditional stick deodorant in favor of creating a better armpit microbiome, you may be wondering what is considered a natural product. In addition to avoiding synthetic and artificial ingredients, Natural deodorants usually have these three components:
- ingredients with disinfectant or antibacterial properties, such as coconut oil and tea tree oil
- essential oils like lavender, sandalwood or bergamot to provide a pleasant scent
- naturally absorbent ingredients poput baking soda, arrowroot praha ili kukuruznog škroba za borbu protiv vlage
Natural deodorants will not clog the sweat glands like traditional antiperspirants, but and do not contain the often worrying ingredient - aluminum.
WHAT INGREDIENTS NATURAL DEODORANT SHOULD HAVE?
The skin needs special care, and we provide such care by nourishing it with natural ingredients. If you were to make a natural armpit product, what ingredients would you combine for healthy skin care?
The skin on the armpits after shaving is usually irritated and damaged. Applying deodorant can cause burning of the skin, redness or other problems in this sensitive area of skin. To keep your skin healthy and hydrated enough, it is best to use products that do not contain any chemicals, are easily absorbed into the skin and are gentle. Ingredients that are natural, healthy and especially nourish the skin can be an ingredient in your deodorant.
1. Shea butter
Shea butter is familiar to us an ingredient for beauty with many advantages. Shea butter is the fat from the walnut of the African Shea tree. Unrefined, natural, raw butter s vitamin A helps solve many skin problems. That's why it's a great deodorant ingredient! This butter is extremely hydrating and gives skin softness and smoothness.
National Center for Biotechnology Information published a study showing that shea fat is one of the nuts that are the source anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor compounds. A study by the American Journal of Life Sciences claims that shea butter increases collagen production and thus prevents skin aging.
Shea butter contains vitamins A and E and has high amounts of saturated fatty acids. Reduces skin scars, cellulite and stretch marks. It heals the skin from burns, cold, peeling and cracks as it penetrates deep into the skin giving it hydration. In addition, it alleviates allergies and helps with skin diseases such as dermatitis and psoriasis.
We know that the skin is irritated after shaving and needs special care, so shea butter is her real salvation. Deodorant with shea butter, in addition to preventing unpleasant odors, will provide the skin with the care it needs, and will make it soft and smooth.
2. Baking soda
Baking soda has detoxification effect which helps neutralize alkalinity in the body. Stoga, soda bikarbona može apsorbirati mirise i efektivan je sastojak u dezodoransima. Ovaj prirodni sastojak heals the skin from infection, insect bites and inflammation.
Baking soda has a high pH, ie it is alkaline. If you put it on your skin during the period, the skin could become dry and alkaline. Stoga ju je potrebno kombinirati s ostalim sastojcima i napraviti formulu kako bi u dezodoransu dobili balans koji će našoj koži činiti samo dobro. Deodorants containing baking soda rely on it antibacterial properties which help control bacteria that develop on the armpits, which cause an unpleasant odor in sweat.
Baking soda in deodorant neutralizes strong and unwanted odors and releases harmful substances from the body while at the same time giving the skin long-lasting protection. One of the biggest benefits of baking soda in deodorants is that it does not contain chemicals and additives that can be found in conventional deodorants. Synthetic ingredients can clog pores and irritate the skin or cause skin problems.
3. Indian arrowroot powder (aru powder)
Ovaj prah poznat nam je pod imenom aru prah, a radi se o biljci Marant ili Amarant (Maranta arundinacea). The root of this plant is powdered and used mainly in the diet due to its many benefits. In the kitchen, this ingredient is a thickener and substitute for flour. Rich in natural minerals, helps balance the body's alkalinity and calms the digestive system.
Marant is also recognized as an herbal treatment skin softer and smoother. In cosmetics, it is used as a soap thickener, foundation for face powder or to maintain clean skin. It is also contained in body lotions due to its benefits that make the skin soft and smooth.
What are the benefits of this deodorant powder? Replaces toxic chemicals in deodorant because it is completely natural. We mentioned that baking soda can increase alkalinity, this ingredient balances it. In addition, the powder of Indian arrowroot in deodorant absorbs moisture.
Essential oils can reduce body odor, because they have antibacterial properties that are especially effective in fighting bacteria that create odor on our skin. Also, their role is of course the pleasant smell of deodorant. They are most often used in the manufacture of deodorants the following essential oils: cedrovina, jela, lavanda, limun, limunska trava, origano, pačuli, ružmarin, čajevac, timijan, ylang-ylang, pepermint, kamfor, grejp.
HOW TO MAKE A NATURAL DEODORANT WITHOUT ALUMINUM?
NATURAL DEODORANT WITH BACARBON SODA
Ingredients
2 + 1/2 tablespoons unrefined coconut oil
2 + 1/2 tablespoons unrefined shea butter
1/4 cup arrowroot powder (aru powder)
1 + 1/2 tablespoons baking soda
6 drops of lavender essential oil
6 drops of grapefruit essential oil
1 drop of tea tree essential oil (optional) *
Instructions
Place the coconut oil and shea butter in a glass jar or jar and place the pan / jar in a medium cooking pot. Add water to the pot (enough to surround the bowl / jar, but not to overflow) and bring to a boil.
As the water heats up, stir in the coconut oil and shea butter and continue until dissolved. When dissolved, add arrowroot powder, baking soda and essential oils. Pour into a jar and allow to cool to room temperature or in the refrigerator (it will harden faster in the refrigerator) until it reaches a solid state. Cover with a lid until use.
Directions for use: Remove the amount with your fingers and rub between your fingers before applying it directly to the armpits. For a regular day, one application in the morning should be enough. On hot days, workouts or if you are particularly sweaty, feel free to put on as needed.
If your skin is more sensitive and if you failed with baking soda deodorants, maybe you should try a magnesium formula.
Magnesium-based deodorants are a little gentler to apply, especially for people with acid sweat. It all comes down to finding what works with your body.
Baking soda which has strong antibacterial properties that help control bacteria which cause odor when decomposed and sweating occurs.
When alkaline baking soda is applied to our acidic armpits, a chemical reaction occurs. This may sound alarming, but it is normal reaction and is very effective in naturally controlling odors and bacteria. There are people who can’t stand even a small amount of baking soda because their sweat is more acidic.
Here comes the magnesium.
Magnesium hydroxide, Mg (OH) 2, is a safe and naturally occurring compound used in natural deodorant products as an alternative to aluminum, baking soda and other ingredients that potentially irritate the skin.
Magnesium hydroxide is not absorbed into the skin. Instead of that, its main purpose in natural deodorant is to suppress all bacteria that cause odor on the skin surface without affecting the layer of skin in which the sweat glands, pores and hair follicles are located.
Although it effectively neutralizes bacteria, baking soda is alkaline, in contrast to skin acidity. As a result, baking soda removes the natural moisture barrier, potentially causing skin irritation. Magnesium hydroxide balances the body's natural pH, while at the same time killing bacteria that cause unpleasant odors without reducing skin moisture or damaging the skin.
Ready for a change?
NATURAL DEODORANT WITH MAGNESIUM (WITHOUT BICARBON SODA)
Ingredients
2 žlice prague by arrowroot prague (aru prah)
2 tablespoons shea butter
1 teaspoon coconut oil
half a teaspoon of magnesium hydroxide powder
Up to 15 drops of lavender essential oil (or any other essential oil)
Instructions
Place the coconut oil and shea butter in a glass jar or jar and place the pan / jar in a medium cooking pot. Add water to the pot (enough to surround the bowl / jar, but not to overflow) and bring to a boil.
As the water heats up, stir in the coconut oil and shea butter and continue until dissolved. When dissolved, add arrowroot powder, magnesium hydroxide and essential oil. Pour into a jar and allow to cool to room temperature or in the refrigerator (it will harden faster in the refrigerator) until it reaches a solid state. Cover with a lid until use.
Directions for use: Remove the amount with your fingers and rub between your fingers before applying it directly to the armpits. For a regular day, one application in the morning should be enough. On hot days, workouts or if you are particularly sweaty, feel free to put on as needed.
It is an excellent ingredient for the natural fight against odors activated carbon. It removes and absorbs impurities and bacteria from your pores. The detoxifying properties of activated charcoal help to remove body odor without harsh chemicals or synthetics.
Activated charcoal has no smell and taste, and the body cannot absorb it. It has a long history in the medical world. A decontaminant for gastrointestinal problems, activated charcoal binds to toxins in the intestinal tract to reduce their absorption. There are many modern applications of activated carbon with amazing benefits and results, it is often used in cleaning and whitening teeth, skin care, and even in ice cream, coffee.
Activated charcoal effectively helps absorb moisture to keep underarm moisture to a minimum. Charcoal deodorant is a healthy alternative to common deodorants and can be used as a daily detox, especially in combination with magnesium hydroxide which helps to neutralize odors.
Activated charcoal in deodorant offers several benefits, including:
- Neutralizes Odor
- Absorbs moisture
- Gentle for sensitive skin
- Detoxifies
Here saznajte sve o razlikama dezodoransa sa i bez sode bikarbone.
NATURAL DEODORANT WITH ACTIVATED CARBON
Ingredients
5 tablespoons shea butter
5 tablespoons organic arrowroot powder (aru powder)
1 tablespoon baking soda without aluminum or magnesium hydroxide
½ teaspoon of activated carbon
30 drops of lavender essential oil
Instructions
Put the shea butter in a glass bowl or jar and place the bowl / jar in a medium cooking pot. Add water to the pot (enough to surround the bowl / jar, but not to overflow) and bring to a boil.
As the water heats up, stir in the shea butter and continue until dissolved. When dissolved, add arrowroot powder, baking soda or magnesium hydroxide, activated charcoal and essential oil. Pour into a jar and allow to cool to room temperature or in the refrigerator (it will harden faster in the refrigerator) until it reaches a solid state. Cover with a lid until use.
Directions for use: Remove the amount with your fingers and rub between your fingers before applying it directly to the armpits. For a regular day, one application in the morning should be enough. On hot days, workouts or if you are particularly sweaty, feel free to put on as needed.
ODORLESS NATURAL DEODORANT
Ingredients
2 žlice prague by arrowroot prague (aru prah)
2 tablespoons shea butter
1 teaspoon coconut oil
half a teaspoon of magnesium hydroxide powder or baking soda
Instructions
Place the coconut oil and shea butter in a glass jar or jar and place the pan / jar in a medium cooking pot. Add water to the pot (enough to surround the bowl / jar, but not to overflow) and bring to a boil.
As the water heats up, stir in the coconut oil and shea butter and continue until dissolved. When dissolved, add arrowroot powder and magnesium hydroxide or baking soda. Pour into a jar and allow to cool to room temperature or in the refrigerator (it will harden faster in the refrigerator) until it reaches a solid state. Cover with a lid until use.
Directions for use: Remove the amount with your fingers and rub between your fingers before applying it directly to the armpits. For a regular day, one application in the morning should be enough. On hot days, workouts or if you are particularly sweaty, feel free to put on as needed.
WHAT ARE THE HARMFUL INGREDIENTS OF CONVENTIONAL DEODORANTS?
They vary depending on the deodorant you use, but some of the ingredients found in conventional deodorants to avoid are:
Parabens: This chemical is used in many products today as a preservative, but it may be one of the most harmful additives of all. Sometimes parabens act like estrogen in your body, which disturbs hormonal balance and is associated with breast cancer and prostate cancer.
Triclosan: Cosmetics manufacturers are adding this chemical to many products to prevent bacterial contamination and destroy bacteria on the surface of the skin, as in anti-acne products, some deodorants and antiperspirants, and in sanitizing hand soap. The problem is that it is connected with thyroid problems, as well as cancer.
Propylene glycol: Neurotoxin associated with kidney and liver damage.
Aluminum: This metal is an antiperspirant ingredient that actually clogs your pores and prevents sweating. Izloženost aluminiumu povezana je s razvojem Alzheimerove bolesti i ometa vašu razinu estrogena. When your body cannot process estrogen properly, there is a higher risk of breast and prostate cancer.
Fragrances: Almost every fragrant product has a "scent" or "perfume" among its ingredients. AND it is impossible to know which chemicals are hiding with these seemingly benign expressions because fragrances are protected by commercial law. It could be phthalates or substances that cause allergies or skin irritation.
NATURAL DEODORANT FOR CHILDREN
There is no set time for children to start using deodorant. Some will start using it only until they reach puberty when an increase in hormones can lead to increased sweating.
Children have sensitive skin and it is especially important that the deodorant be gentle and free of toxins. That is why we recommend a recipe for natural deodorants with magnesium.
Check the ingredients of the deodorant product you put on your skin regularly. Since the armpits are a very sensitive area, be gentle on the skin. Your skin will be grateful.
If you would rather buy natural deodorant, you can find the world's most popular natural deodorant in our store - Schmidt’s Natural. These deodorants contain the natural ingredients mentioned in this article, and the characteristics of deodorants are:
- No animal ingredients
- 100% natural deodorants award winning formula
- They are quickly absorbed and last a long time
- They do not contain gluten
- They neutralize odor, absorb moisture and maintain freshness
- They do not contain artificial fragrances
- They do not contain aluminum, propylene glycol, paraben and phthalate
Sources:
time.com/4394051/deodorant-antiperspirant-toxic/
dontmesswithmama.com/7-toxins-lurking-in-your-deodorant/
www.healthline.com/health/natural-deodorants-work-smart-girls-guide#what-makes-a-natural-deodorant