Written by Brandy Keysor
A few weeks ago at the Scentible Oilers Social, we had a make and take station for all natural deodorant (recipe at the bottom of the page). I was at another make and take station, and I was talking and listening to all the chatter. One thing I heard was that most people love the natural deodorant, but there was a side note that I heard repeated often. When you are new to using natural products and you switch from a traditional antiperspirant to an all natural deodorant, there is an adjustment period where most of us feel very self conscious. We tend to be extremely aware of every drop of sweat we produce and we fear the ultimate humiliation of “stinking” and if we are active at our jobs at all, it can be difficult to stick with the new product while our bodies are trying to normalize and get rid of toxic stuff.
I remember when I switched over to a natural deodorant, I was very self conscious. I am a dog groomer and so I don’t sit at a computer all day, I wrestle dogs and cats in the tub, on the table etc. I sweat, a lot, especially in the summer. About a month into my journey though, I was caught off guard when I noticed half way through my day that I had forgotten to put deodorant on that morning. I stopped dead and slowly looked around to see if my coworker had noticed. I realized two things at that point. First, even though I had been rushing around all morning, I wasn’t drenched in sweat. Second, I could hardly detect an odor even putting my nose as close to my armpit as I could reach. I have always considered myself to have heavy perspiration and in fact, when I was in high school, I used those prescription strength antiperspirants.
I was able to “work” through my adjustment period with natural deodorant this last time, but I had tried a couple of times before and gave up because I was so self conscious of my under arm wetness and odor. It helps to have a great deodorant recipe, but if you still have trouble, I found a great article on taking steps to “detox” your armpits and actually decrease the adjustment period for natural deodorant on www.Wellnessmama.com. I enjoy following her blog and she has some great tips for adjusting to a natural deodorant that I thought I would mention.
- If wetness and odor are a big concern, mix ¼ Apple Cider Vinegar with ¾ distilled (or boiled) water in a spray bottle and mist your armpits before you apply your deodorant. Let it dry, and then apply your deodorant. This will help to kill any bacteria in your pits and will help you to stay dryer longer. In the beginning of my deodorant journey, I would spray my pits in the morning and apply my deodorant, then in the afternoon if I felt my deodorant was not lasting, I would re-spray this and re-apply my deodorant.
- You can do an actual detox “mask” for your armpits. This is especially helpful for those of us that are having a hard time adjusting to natural deodorant. Make a paste of 1 Tablespoon Bentonite clay, 1 Teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar, and 1-2 Teaspoons of water and apply it to your armpits. Let it sit a few minutes and then rinse off. See http://wellnessmama.com/25432/detox-your-armpits/ for the full recipe.
- Try a different recipe for your deodorant, if you are still not comfortable with the results. There are 2 recipes on this site that are “tried and true” by the members of the Scentsible Oiler team, but everyone is different – make adjustments if you need to! You can remove the baking soda and try arrowroot or cornstarch instead, if you are having redness and irritation of your pits. Some people cannot handle baking soda in their armpits. I actually used Tapioca starch in one of my recipes because that is what I had on hand. A totally off the wall deodorant substitute is plain Milk of Magnesia. You can apply it directly to your armpits with a cotton ball and let dry. It works for many people who cannot use a baking soda deodorant. And one last suggestion is to spray Magnesium Oil on your armpits and let it dry, but that can cause redness and irritation too. If you add more water to your Magnesium Oil, it might decrease those symptoms. (Magnesium Oil is not an “oil”, but a concentrated magnesium chloride water spray. It’s not a Young Living product, but can be found at health food stores or on Amazon.)
I hope that if you are not using a natural deodorant, that these tips might encourage you to give it a try. After all, adding essential oils to a natural or home made deodorant recipe is such a great way to introduce people to oils and also is a small change that can have immense impact on our overall health. Happy Oiling! Brandy
Lavender Melaleuca Deodorant (from Abundant Health website)
Ingredients List:
- 3 Tbs coconut oil
- 1 Tbs beeswax pellets
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 1 vitamin E capsule
- 5 drops melaleuca essential oil
- 5 drops lavender essential oil
- 1 empty 2.65 oz. deodorant container
Instructions: Combine coconut oil and beeswax pellets in a heat-proof glass bowl or glass measuring cup. Place bowl or measuring cup in a sauce pan filled with an inch of water. Heat mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until completely melted. Stir in cornstarch, baking soda, and the oil from one vitamin E capsule. Remove from heat, and add essential oils. Quickly pour mixture into an empty deodorant container. Wait for mixture to harden and cool completely, and then start enjoying your all-natural essential oil deodorant!
Simple Lemon Deodorant
Ingredients List:
- 6 Tbsp Organic Coconut Oil
- 1/4 Cup Baking Soda
- 1/4 Cup Arrowroot Powder
- 10 Drops Young Living Lemon Essential Oil
- 1 empty 2.65 oz. deodorant container or a small Mason Jar
Instructions: Mix in a bowl with a fork. Note that it will seem like it’s not going to come together but it will! Just keep mixing! This deodorant works well but it’s a bit more runny than the recipe with beeswax. People have different preferences of storage – some like using a small Mason Jar and applying with fingers, others prefer using a deodorant container. Be sure to store in a cool place (not the refrigerator). If it gets too warm the deodorant will get “melty” due to the coconut oil.
For more information or to order the Young Living products mentioned in this recipe please contact the Scentsible Oiler who referred you to this page or contact our team using the form below:
I took a drop in my hands, and put some on his head, spine and feet, as Frankincense is supportive to the immune system. We also put a drop on his umbilical cord a couple times per day with diaper changes, since it’s also supportive for the skin. I used Valor oil on my abdomen for that oh-so-fun cramping that comes with nursing, so he received some of that oil by inhalation as well, before we ever left the hospital. Valor is also emotionally balancing and confidence boosting – ideal when you’re new to the world, or dealing with the normal post-partum ups and downs from those crazy hormones. The nurses and staff said we had the best smelling room in the building.
Since essential oils work best in a healthy body, I wanted to set myself up for success by making sure I was eating as organically as possible, and avoiding processed foods and GMOs, both of which I was more nervous about putting in my body than any oil on the “caution during pregnancy” list. I also supported my body and energy level (I had a 2 year-old to chase around) by ensuring I had a good routine with supplements, all of which I shared with my midwife. I was taking True Source, Master Formula Hers, MultiGreens, Essentialzymes-4, Life 5 Probiotic, and NingXia Red, all from Young Living, as well as fish oils, Vitamin D, and a Folic Acid/B12 supplement. I also took Inner Defense for immune support, but there is conflicting information on whether or not some of the oils it contains should be avoided during pregnancy, so some may find ImmuPro to be a more preferable option. Again, any supplement regimen for pregnancy should be approved by a health provider well versed in natural supplements.
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