Homemade Deodorant Recipe
One very important way to care for your health and your hormones is to reduce your exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals. The bad news is, these chemicals are found everywhere; in your furniture, your housewares, your cleaning supplies and your beauty products. Avoiding them altogether is nearly impossible these days, however, reducing your exposure where you can will greatly improve your hormone health and your fertility.
A simple way you can reduce your exposure and improve your health is by changing your deodorant. Store bought deodorants contain hormone harmers such as aluminum, phthalates, parabens, “fragrance” and triclosan. Chemicals such as these, when absorbed through the skin, go straight into your bloodstream and interrupt the normal workings of your hormones. In addition, where you place your deodorant everyday is located close to your sensitive breast tissue and lymph nodes.
You can use the app created by the Environmental Working Group called HealthyLiving to find a deodorant that is free from harmful chemicals, or you can make your own.
You will need:
A clean, medium-sized glass jar with an airtight lid
100g or ½ cup of baking soda
100g or ½ cup arrowroot powder
5-6 Tbsp. Coconut oil (melted and cooled)
10-20 drops of essential oil of choice
A whisk or Kitchenaid to stir
My chosen blend of essential oils:
8 drops of Tea Tee Oil- antibacterial, antifungal, disinfectant
6 drops of Lavender Oil-antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, calming
6 drops of Cedarwood Oil-antifungal, anti-inflammatory, increases focus
(cedarwood oil is not recommended if you are pregnant — it also makes for a bit more “masculine” smell, which I enjoy)
Directions:
1. In a medium sized bowel, mix the baking soda and arrowroot powder well.
2. Wisk in the coconut oil until a soft paste begins to form.
3. Add 10-20 drops of your essential oil of choice and continue to mix until blended.
4. Transfer to your glass jar and place the lid on top.
To use:
Scoop about a dime-sized amount of your deodorant out of the jar and rub it in your hand to warm slightly. Then, place a thin layer of your deodorant onto your underarms.
Some recipes recommend reducing the amount of baking soda if you have very sensitive underarm skin.
Other essential oils you could choose from:
Grapefruit Oil-antibacterial, antiseptic
Eucalyptus Oil-antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory
Neroli Oil-antifungal, anti-depressant
Palmarosa Oil-antibacterial, antifungal
Patchouli Oil-anti-inflammatory, antifungal
It’s a good idea to test your essential oils on your skin before adding them to your deodorant. Dilute your essential oil of choice in a carrier oil such as coconut or jojoba and apply to your skin. Wait for 24 hours to see if you have any irritation or reaction.
When it comes to essential oils, more is not better. Too many drops of oil in your deodorant can irritate your skin even if you don’t have an allergy. Some essential oils, such as lavender have a mild estrogenic effect, which can also be endocrine disrupting in very large doses.
*information on the essential oils mainly comes from “Meteria Medica of Essential Oils (Based on a Chinese Medical Perspective) by Jeffrey C. Yuen.
