*Note from Sarah: I am SO excited to introduce Katie the Wellness Mama who will now be a regular contributor for Everyday Paleo! You can find Katie at her own amazing blog here and learn more about Katie, what she does, and what her roll will be with Everyday Paleo here. Now please read and enjoy Katie’s first article for Everyday Paleo!
Natural Options for Personal Care Products
One of the many great things about a Paleo diet is the focus on more natural whole food options and more natural movements when working out.
For those of us who have embraced this way of living and eating, it starts to seem counterintuitive to slather our bodies with chemical cocktails every day. Unfortunately, most conventional deodorants, shampoos, lotions, and other personal care products are filled with chemicals and artificial ingredients that can negatively affect our skin and our health. (Check out the health rating of your favorite products at the Cosmetics Database)
The need for many of these products often disappears when you start eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. Acne often vanishes, so special facial washes and medications aren’t necessary. Dry skin and eczema go away so lotions are no longer needed.
Even for those of us who no longer need all the scented, chemical products, we still need the basics. If you’ve tried the “natural” options for many conventional products, you likely realized that they are (a) much more expensive and (b) often don’t work as well.
Just as meals made at home are healthier and taste better, most personal care products can easily be made at home and homemade versions are more effective (and cheaper) than natural store bought options.
When I started looking at more natural options for personal care products, the first one I attempted was deodorant. The conventional versions all contain aluminum, which has been linked to Alzheimer’s and breast cancer. Sure, there are plenty of natural options in stores, but they don’t work! (Believe me, as a woman who has been pregnant 4 times and worked out through each pregnancy… I tried them all!)
After many failed attempts at a good homemade version, I finally found one that works! Even better, it is super easy to make and anyone who eats Paleo probably already has the ingredients on hand.
Homemade Deodorant Ingredients:
- 6 Tablespoons of Coconut Oil
- 1/4 cup Baking Soda (without Aluminum)
- 1/4 cup arrowroot or cornstarch (actually optional, but helps absorb wetness)
- Essential oils (optional)
Note: If you don’t have the ingredients, they are all available here.
How To Make Homemade Deodorant:
- Make sure coconut oil is warm enough to be somewhat soft.
- Mix baking soda and arrowroot in a small bowl.
- Add coconut oil and mix with a small spoon or spatula until very well incorporated.
- Add essential oils if desired.
- Store in a small glass jar and apply a small amount with finger tips daily.
Does it Work?
As someone who used to use Secret Clinical Strength, my opinion is that this homemade option works better. It is not an antiperspirant, but it does seem to reduce wetness, and I’ve noticed I’m sweating less, the longer I use it.
If you aren’t in to making your own toiletries, just use plain baking soda or plain coconut oil, as both of those work pretty well by themselves. If you’d prefer a thicker and even more moisturizing option that can even be put in an old deodorant tube, check out that recipe here.
What do you think? Are homemade products a good Paleo alternative or will you stick with your favorite conventional versions?
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How is this deodorant with staining on clothes? I used an all natural deodarant last summer that was beeswax based, but left oily pit stains on all of my clothes
I’ve never had any trouble with staining, but I usually put on right after showering and then wait a few minutes to put clothes on, so it is absorbed in. I’ve used a natural beeswax one in the past and had trouble with staining too.
FInally got around to making this today. I used 2 TBS each of arrowroot & baking soda to 3 TBS coconut oil with 5-6 drops Lavendar essential oil. Since I don’t have A/C in my house, it was warm enough today that all my coconut oil was liquified, so after I put the mixture in a jar, I put the jar in the fridge to harden up the coconut oil a bit. Ended up the perfect consistency! I used for the first time today too- thanks to the thicken texture it rubbed right in without and greasy mess on my clothes and hours later, a smell test of my underarms reveal a light coconut scent. No heavy sweating yet, which will be the real test, but so far I’m really excited about this recipe!!! Thanks Katie, the information on this site and yoursin particular is awesome!!!
I’ve found that if I apply too much, the oil will melt all over the pits of my shirts and ruin them. So, I increased the amount of baking soda and cornstarch in the recipe (or decreased the amount of oil). When I apply it, I just use a tiny bit and rub it in with my fingers really well. And, I give it time for the oil to melt and absorb into my skin before dressing. Since then, I haven’t had any problems – with staining or stinking!
Since I have kidney problems, I too decided to avoid aluminum-based deodorants. I’ve been using alum “deodorant crystals” for several years now and they work great for me. Initially I sweated more, since I had been using anti-perspirant deodorants, but my body adapted and I now sweat hardly more than with commercial products. Sweat or no, the mineral sticks keep odor down for me just fine.
I’ve made my own deodorant by mixing an equal amount of baking soda (I used Arm & Hammer brand – it’s 100% aluminum free and very affordable for a person with tight budget like me) and coconut oil. Works wonderfully!
Check out Nancy Boy products. They have a great product line and work really hard to balance effectiveness and chemical reduction in their products. They use lots of natural oils. Mostly for men, but many of their products are unisex. They say that 50% of their customers are women.
I’ve been using CO and baking soda. It was supposed to be 50/50, but I put more soda in to make it more solid. Is it gross to say that I also use it on my teeth? I only put a clean finger into it for deodorant, and I love it as an occasional toothpaste, too!
I’ve used those together and individually before and they do seem to work great. I’ll also be posting a natural toothpaste recipe soon that uses those ingredients and is helpful for remineralizing teeth.
Oh goodness, I don’t know if I am brave enough to give up my extra-strength deodorant. I sweat like a crazy person when I run! Hmm, however, I might have to try your recipe. There is nothing to lose! Thanks so much! Great post!
I’m a runner, too, and I sweat buckets. But don’t you usually shower pretty soon after you run? Fresh sweat doesn’t smell… just don’t wait three hours after working out. Give it a try once, when you won’t be near anyone else, and see what happens. You’ll probably be fine.
I can vouch for this recipe as it is the one I use! Works amazingly well…you won’t believe it! I like to add orange and peppermint essential oils together for my fave scent. My daughter prefers orange/lime and she loves it (and she tried several natural brands before trying this recipe)
I use pretty much this recipe too. My essential oil combination smells so good, and really seems to keep the stink away. I use a mixture of lavender and tea tree oil. And, though I sweat intensely, I just keep reminding myself that it’s an important evolutionary adaptation, and social ideas that sweating is gross are just plain wrong!
Yay, I have all these products. Also, love Wellness Mama! Found her blog this past winter and have really loved all her posts. Glad she will be featured here
i’ll definitely vouch for this recipe! it works. personally, i’ve found it’s a little harsh sometimes on my skin, but nothing extra coconut oil (and some sesame oil) doesn’t fix. and i’ve found that it doesn’t matter that much if i forget to wear deodorant one day — i still don’t smell. so inexpensive, so effective. thanks, wellness mama!
I use this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000S83JR0/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000AN1JEI&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0Q8TAN4P79Y1TB5HXREV
I’m allergic to regular deodorant and this has worked fairly well.
Where do you buy essential oils at?
And how much of the oils do you put in the above recipe?
I buy them from Mountain Rose Herbs http://wellnessmama.com/go/mountain-rose-herbs/ because they are cheaper than a lot of places, especially if you buy more than 1/2 ounce. Usually, I just add about 15-20 drops of oils to this recipe, though really it is up to personal preference.
I’m definitely curious about this one. I wonder what the stink factor is with this one. I tried to move away from the aluminum deodorants and bought a “natural” one from Whole Foods a month ago. I thought it was a great idea until I realized that the smelly person in the room was me! I’m back to my Secret now but would be up for trying this one…
Definitely try it! I’ve used both and think this is better than Secret.
Since I’m always looking to save money, and since I already use coconut oil as my body “lotion” and hair “shiner-upper”, I look forward to trying this deo recipe utilizing coconut oil. Thanks for passing it on.
I’ve tried several of the natural deos, fully aware that they wouldn’t do much for perspiration. As expressed by others, many didn’t do much for odor either. Back when I tried them, though, I was eating your typically SAD. Most seem to want to keep odor at bay by using strong scents, even if they are natural essential oils. I prefer unscented body/hair products. I have been using a natural brand of deo called Crystalux. They have a powder form, and a crystal. Since I always use a cornstarch-based “baby” powder after showering I chose the powder version. I have been using it for almost 4 years now, through both a vegan (including grains) diet, and paleo eating. Some people say it’s grains & dairy that cause body odor, others say it comes from meat. Either way Crystalux Body Powder has worked like a charm. I usually apply it twice a day. Once, in the morning before I workout or do chores, and then again after showering. I don’t know if twice is necessarily doing a better job than once a day. Never have I detected odor, and I have reminded friends & family that if I ever stink please tell me. I guess no news is good news.
Are the 6 tablespoons of coconut oil melted or more solid when measuring?
I’m excited to try this. I have to use clinical strenght deodorant too. The natural stuff has failed for me.
semi solid is easiest but it is not an exact science, so as long as its pretty close, it will work
I love this! I have been using baking soda for several years now and it does the trick but it also leaves my armpits chapped. I switched to just coconut oil recently and it doesn’t seem to do as well by itself. I think this combo will help with the chapping. I gave it a try on this stressful morning and it seems to be working. I hope more of these homemade options are on the way to this blog as I am always looking for inexpensive homemade options for personal care and house cleaning.
I just found the BEST one if you don’t want to make it. It last over 24 hours. I bought it at Sprouts and the whole family is using it.
Crystalux, 100% Pure & Natural crystal deodorant all over body spray.
that is a great recipe… i still need to try it. i too use a mineral stick which works most of the time and i use natural toothpaste.
unfortunately, i’m lazy and haven’t gotten around to a lot of it.
katie, does this work for guys and preteen guys too?
I tried this in the past and it worked great, but it seems the baking soda irritated my skin a lot. After few days I ended up with painfull red spots. Any idea if this would work without baking soda?
Coconut oil alone even works pretty well, but the arrowroot makes it a little more effective. It won’t be quite as effective without baking soda, but should still work at least as well as most natural options.
I’ll definitely try coconut oil on its own:)
I currently use Naturally Fresh Deodorant Crystal and that works really well…
Thanks for this!
Tropical Traditions makes an all natural roll on deoderant that is similar. It does not seem to work too well for me though. Maybe I need to give it more time.
when using a natural baking soda deodorant you can go through a detox period where you are a little stinkier and sweat more. Once you get through it though, it is great!
Great tips! Depending on my plans for the day, I’ll occasionally forgo deodorant completely. As long as I’ve showered (and shaving helps, too), I can usually get through a whole day at work without developing body odor. Sure, if you stick your nose in my pits, you’ll get a slightly sour sweat smell, but there aren’t very many students sticking their noses in my pits.
I use miessence… it is basically the same thing as the above recipe, baking soda based and no hidden chemicals..I just like the convenience of buying my deodorant in a container and not to have to mix it myself. Most of the miessence line is certified to organic food standards. The deodorant can not be though, because baking soda can’t be grown, and to be certified organic food it has to be grown!
http://drbuffie.mionegroup.com/en/product/13303
This post definitely inspired me to give natural deodorant a try!
I have been deodorant free for, oh, probably over 18 months. Initially I tried a few concoctions and such, the burts bee’s deodorant spray, the coconut oil recipes, etc. Now, I pretty much wear nothing. I find that unless I ‘lift heavy things’, anytime I do sweat it doesn’t smell at all (trust me, I spent months quizzing the husband and friends petrified that I was a smelly beast). If I do lift heavy things (crossfit workout, climbing, intense hike), I am usually taking a shower shortly there after so it doesn’t matter. Also, one other thing I noticed is that shirts made from unnatural threads are more likely to create an odor…..polyester I think is the culprit, but I am not 100% sure as most of the time I am wearing cotton.
Side note, I do not live in a very humid climate. So while I don’t have to worry about deodorant nearly as much, skipping lotion is impossible. I have tried it multiple times, hoping my body would balance out if I gave it a few weeks, but our climate is just too dry. So plus side, I can go sans deodorant or anything for that matter, but I still have to slather something on my skin or I dry up like a prune.
Katie – I love your blog. So glad you are promoting health and wellness. What an interesting article. As a breast cancer survivor I appreciate your post. One of the first things I wondered about was deodorant. Its good to focus on wellness and prevention. Thank you.