It is normal for the body to cool itself through perspirations and sweating. It is an important function of the body which emits some smell. Most people choose to use deodorants which basically neutralize the smell of the sweat or antiperspirants which block sweat to minimize it by blocking the pores of the skin surface especially underarms.
Conventional deodorants have several ingredients which can cause or elevate some serious health effects. Some of these health problems include virulent cancers, Alzheimer’s disease among others. The deodorants are designed to be on the skin for a long time giving harmful chemicals time to be absorbed through the skin.
Natural deodorants are available, though people complain that they do not adequately cover the body odor. There are different options when it comes to natural deodorants and many have improved since the launch of their products. The best thing about natural deodorants is that they protect the user from harmful conventional deodorants chemicals and you smell fresh and your confidence is high.
It goes without saying that you have to choose deodorants keenly and read the ingredients on the label before you pay for them. When choosing a natural deodorant look out for this ingredients charcoal, baking soda, vegetable glycerin, vinegar, algae extracts, Aloe Vera gel, essential oils, green tea and natural preservatives like bioflavonoids and lichen. When buying remember, what works for you might not work on someone else. To some tea tree oil based deodorants and crystal rocks deodorants serves them best but to some they are irritating and harsh to their skins. Some say the deodorants emit a bad odor.
- Shea Butter deodorant
Ingredients
2 tablespoon Shea Butter
2 tablespoon arrowroot powder or organic cornstarch
3 tablespoon baking soda
3 tablespoons coconut oil
Essential oils which is optional
Using a double boiler, melt the coconut oil and Shea butter over medium heat. Remove it when it is barely melted. Add the arrow root powder and the baking soda. If you have not gotten the arrow root powder use add mote baking soda or omit it. Mix the ingredients together. Add the essential oils then pour the mixture into a glass container. This does not need to be refrigerated but may take some few hours to harden. After cooling, put the deodorant on a stick for easy use. Now you have your natural deodorant, this however might melt during summer.
- Coconut oil deodorant
Ingredients
4 tablespoons baking soda
Essential oils (optional)
6 tablespoons coconut oil
4 tablespoon arrowroot powder or organic cornstarch
In a medium sized bowl mix the arrowroot powder with baking soda. Add the coconut oil and mix with a fork until it’s well mashed. Finally, add the essential oils as desired and store the deodorant in a glass jar or a deodorant container.
- Coconut oil
Coconut oil alone can be used for deodorant purposes and it is natural. Apply coconut oil on the armpits before taking a shower. Leave the oil on for 15 minutes then take a shower with a mild soap and lukewarm water. Then you are good to go repeat the same tomorrow and on a daily basis.
- Use natural bacteria fighters
When you sweat the body odor is different because a body odor causing bacteria is produced. The sweat will smell after interacting with the bacteria activity. You will notice that sweat will not produce the same odor all the time; when you sweat after a work out a lot of water and electrolytes are produced, but when you sweat because of hormonal imbalance or emotional stress the odor emitted is worse. Natural deodorants will mask the smell of the bacteria.
Here are some of the natural antibacterial substances that you can use to neutralize stinky bacteria. These are essential oils, baking soda, coconut oil and apple cider vinegar.
- Use antibacterial ingredients when showering
Antibacterial agents reduce odor forming because they reduce the bacteria count on the skin. It might be easier to use conventional antibacterial soaps but they might overkill bacteria including the helpful bacteria. To avoid this use your own natural antibacterial products such as essential oils which act like natural bacteria fighters. These oils include patchouli oil, tea tree oil and lemongrass oil. Most importantly ensure you wipe your skin dry after a shower or swimming; pay attention to the armpits and hands and feet. Bacteria reproduces fast on damp skin.
