One-Ingredient Natural Deodorant
Blogger, Mother, Founder of Nutmeg Aspirin, Advocate & "Guinea Pig" for feeling-getting-being-better. Mara is a NY State Safe & Healthy Foods Advisory Council Member, an Advisor to Columbia University’s Spirituality Mind Body Institute, and is currently involved in The Vitality Project at Brown University--a research study looking at the effects of Qi Gong on cancer patients post chemo and radiation as well as supporting efforts to bring mindfulness to doctors in training and the students at large. Mara is a perpetual student of all aspects of holistic living and passionate about helping others to "feel, get and be better."
How It Works
Swap out your deodorant for plain old baking soda (sodium bicarbonate – not to be confused with baking powder!) and enjoy odorless pits without worrying about what you're rubbing into your skin. Some people recommend combining the baking soda with water to make it into a paste, I apply the dry baking soda directly to my armpits, using my finger tip. It doesn't stop you from sweating (it's healthy to sweat!) but it does leave you odor-free. I recommend storing a little bit in a jar, in the bathroom or your bedroom (ie: where you'll be applying it) as the experience is way more pleasant than sticking your fingers into the full-on box of baking soda.
What You’ll Need
Difficulty
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Story
I've been using natural deodorants for a few years and it seems like they stop working after the first month or so, and I need to switch to something else. My favorite deodorant cream was from Soapawalla Kitchen, but I found it wasn't so effective a few months in (not sure if the product had turned or if my body had somehow adjusted). I went through a phase of using Aubrey Organic's Men's Stock Deodorant Spray, but midway through the second bottle, that seemed to stop working too. Three months ago, I gave baking soda a try (I think I heard about it from someone's Instagram?) and I haven't looked back since. Aside from being cheap and easy to find, it is easy to apply, it leaves me totally odor-free (even after a long day of working followed by a long night of dancing), and I don't have to worry about it being carcinogenic. My boyfriend has been using it too and it works just as well for him.
What do you think?
Blogger, Mother, Founder of Nutmeg Aspirin, Advocate & "Guinea Pig" for feeling-getting-being-better. Mara is a NY State Safe & Healthy Foods Advisory Council Member, an Advisor to Columbia University’s Spirituality Mind Body Institute, and is currently involved in The Vitality Project at Brown University--a research study looking at the effects of Qi Gong on cancer patients post chemo and radiation as well as supporting efforts to bring mindfulness to doctors in training and the students at large. Mara is a perpetual student of all aspects of holistic living and passionate about helping others to "feel, get and be better."
Awesome! Did you get any redness or itching the first few times you used it? I find that I react with natural deodorant that contains baking soda, but I've not tried it alone. My favorite is Piperwai (charcoal-based), but it's kind of a pain to get out of the jar. May have to give plain ole baking soda a go!
No redness or itching for me – but I haven't had that issue with any other deodorant either. Hope it works for you too!
I also have tried so many "natural" deodorants and similarly found they work for short durations. A friend suggested I try a combo of witchhazel and baking soda. I buy witchhazel pads at the drug store, dip into baking soda and then apply. The combo really works, but will now try just baking soda!I Also, when I do use regular deodorant, my new favorite is a brand called Native. It is free of aluminum, parabens, sulfates etc. and works better than any of the store bought brands I have tried.