For most of the people, applying a deodorant everyday is as important as brushing their teeth. Deodorant helps to keep away the sweat and ensures that you smell fresh all day long. However, little do people know that these sweet-smelling deodorants have lots of bad effects on the body as well as on the environment. The chemicals present in the deodorants are harmful in the long run. Some of the chemicals like aluminum compounds, proplylene glycol, triclosan and steareths are known to cause side effects to the body and even to the environment. Aluminum is used in all the antiperspirants and it works by blocking the pores of the underarms. This chemical, if applied on a regular basis, keeps accumulating under the arms and can even cause breast cancer. In addition, the mining of aluminum also has a bad effect on the environment. Similarly, the chemical proplylene glycol causes skin irritation and triclosan as well as steareths have carcinogenic effects. Now, in this case, how can you fight body odor if you stop using a deodorant? A simple solution is to switch over to natural deodorants. These are mild and do not harm your body and the environment. Some of these natural alternatives are given below.
1. Baking Soda
Baking soda has the power to neutralize the odor-producing bacteria. All you have to do is to mix a little baking soda in some water and wipe your underarms with this solution. This solution will keep a check on your body odor and keep you fresh all day long.
Baking soda can also be mixed with cornstarch or arrowroot to fight the odor as well as the wetness of the underarms. Simply dust one part of baking soda mixed with eight parts of cornstarch or arrowroot under your arms.
2. Essential oils
The essential oils have long been used to keep away body odor. A little essential oil of your choice mixed with a little alcohol can be kept in a bottle to be sprayed whenever required. This will not cause any harm to your body and keep you smelling sweet. You can also try different essential oils for different types of smells. This natural deodorant can be prepared at home or you can buy it from the stores. If you want a stick deodorant, the same essential oil can be mixed with cocoa butter and beeswax. Both cocoa butter and beeswax are good for the skin.
3. Rock crystal salts
Rock crystal salts are very effective in preventing body odors. These are natural aluminum salts. They are available in both scented and unscented forms and function by killing the smell-producing bacteria.
4. Mineral salts
Ammonium and potassium alum are the mineral salts that can also be used as crystal deodorants. These salts constrict the sweat pores in the underarms, and thus there are less bacteria that can produce the odor.
5. Clay minerals
Kaolin and bentonite are some of the clay minerals that can help you to fight the body odor naturally. It also helps to absorb the moisture and keep the underarms dry.
6. Lime juice
Lemon smells heavenly and can be effectively used to combat underarms odor. The citric acid kills the smell-producing bacteria and keeps away body odor.
7. Astringents
Astringents like witch hazel, sage or rubbing alcohol can effectively fight body odor. They keep the underarms dry and and have antibacterial properties. You can also mix in some essential oil in it for more fragrance.
8. Homemade deodorants
You can also consider making some simple yet effective deodorants at home. To make the deodorant, mix 1/4 cup of baking powder with 1/4 cup of arrowroot or cornstarch. Then, gradually add coconut oil in it to make a paste. This deodorant can then be stored in an air-tight container.
Another method of making deodorant is to mix 3tbsp of Shea butter, 3tbsp of baking powder, 2tbsp of corn starch and 2tbsp of cocoa butter. Melt this mixture and mix vitamin E oil (squeeze out oil from two gel caps) in it. Allow this deodorant to set in the fridge.
9. Natural deodorants
If you do not want to use homemade products and want to buy a natural deodorant from a store, you have many choices. Dr. Hauschka Deodorant Fresh, Origins Totally Pure Deodorant, Kiss My Face, Bubble and Bee Organic Pit Putty and Trader Joe’s are some of the great deodorants available in the market. These are not harmful and help you to smell good all day.