Natural deodorant is the next big thing.
I’ve used store bought deodorant ever since I started needing to use it. As I’m sure most of us have. But as we get older we become aware of the harmful effects of deodorant.
Now, I first did not decide to switch to a natural deodorant because of the harmful effects of store bought deodorant. I switched because the Asian brand deodorants did nothing for me after I ran out of the stuff I brought with me from America.
That being said, as I was nearing the end of my supply of deodorant that I brought with me, I started experimenting with the brands in Thailand. Most of which are roll on or spray on, not a stick like I was used it. After my failed experimenting and even asking friends to ship me deodorant from back home, I started looking into natural deodorant.
What Is Natural Deodorant?
I first started researching how to make your own DIY deodorant. But most of what I first found was all the ingredients in store bought deodorant and how they are bad for you. Then I starting reading about how deodorants may lead to cancer (but what doesn’t lead to cancer these days…). So after I was done reading about all the bad, I looked into the benefits of natural deodorant.
The Armpit Detox
I watched numerous YouTube videos about this thing called an armpit detox. Which sounds really terrible. Why would your armpit need to detox? I mean who wants to be smelly for a week. The detox is one of the most important steps in starting your switch to natural deodorant. It gets rid of all the toxins in your armpit from the store bought deodorant so that the natural deodorant can actually work. It sounds really gross, but trust me, you’ll thank me later. You basically just sweat it out for however long it takes and there’s products that speed up the process. You can even make your own armpit detox with bentonite clay and apple cider vinegar.
For me this armpit detox lasted for about a week without the special, speedy, products. I also couldn’t find bentonite clay or apple cider vinegar in Thailand. I also detoxed in the middle of April and for those that know Thailand weather, this is THE hottest month of the year. Add no deodorant on top of that, I was just a sweaty mess for a while. But the good thing was, so was everyone else so I blended in.
3 Ingredients
Once my detox was over, I decided to try a mixture of coconut oil, tapioca powder, and baking soda. These products were the easiest to find at the store. I bought small containers to put the deodorant in and started mixing equal portions of the ingredients.
During my first batch I noticed that I was still feeling wet under my arms, but I wasn’t smelly. So I added a little more baking soda to the mixture to absorb more sweat. I liked that I could adjust whatever is necessary and customize it for me.
I’ve been using this mixture since April 2018 and it’s been working well for me. A nice thing about the natural deodorant is that the nasty yellow armpit stains on my shirts are not there anymore.
Since I am using coconut oil, if the weather is cooler the mixture will be more solid. So I have to warm it up before putting it on. I also will put aloe and shea butter under my arms at night so the skin is smooth and soft.
Have you tried natural deodorant? Do you make it yourself or buy it? Let me know in the comments!
