Like most people, you know you have body odor, and sometimes you are embarrassed by it. However, you might not know that body odor is a natural process caused by sweating. Sweating helps keep your body healthy. The commercial deodorants or antiperspirants applied by most people prevent your body from sweating and having odor in general. However, they inhibit your body’s natural process of allowing it to function as it should, which is to sweat.
Added to the fact, the main ingredient in commercial deodorants and antiperspirants is aluminum-based, which prevents odors by stopping your body from sweating. But research indicates this causes health concerns if these products are used over a long time—affecting your hormonal system. (x)
And, your body needs to sweat in order to be healthy and free from toxic elements. Understanding how the prevention of sweat creates an adverse reaction to your body begins with understanding how it sweats and causes odor.
What Causes Body Odor?
The sweat comes from specific glands in your body. The root of the body odor begins with sweat, but if you smell your sweat, you’ll notice it barely smells. The source of odor is the bacteria living on your body that feeds on some of the compounds that come from your sweat. (x)
In Japan, the female body odor was such a concern that scientific studies were performed to determine the scope of the problem. The glands that cause sweat and odor were removed from the bodies of a certain number of female participants. The scientists performed a study over some time, giving vital information on how this particular part of the endocrine system worked. (x)
Eccrine glands are located throughout your body, and apocrine glands located in the genital areas and armpits secrete compounds when you sweat, which the bacteria consume, resulting in a release of molecules that smell, which is body odor. (x)
History of DIY Deodorant
Throughout history, cultures were aware of body odor but not aware that sweat contained the compounds that caused the odor from bacteria. Still, they took efforts to smell civilized by using flattering scents to smother the body odor.
Ancient Egyptians wore necklaces or head ornaments such as hollowed-out ostrich eggs and gallnuts. They contained fragrant plants like myrrh, cardamom, and cinnamon. These were worn to hide their body odor. They even burned incense in their homes to cover their smells and designed jewelry that included scented materials to mask their body odor. (x)
Although the ancient Greeks and Romans bathed often, they still carried scented oils and salves tied to their wrist to ward off any body odor. Such fragrances included jasmine, violet, and lavender. (x)
The First Commercial Deodorant
The first deodorant, which killed odor-producing bacteria, was called Mum and became trademarked in 1888. Yet, society wasn’t interested because their solution was to wash often and use perfume as well as wear cotton and rubber pads to protect their fabric on a hot, sweaty day.
Eventually, the use of deodorant and antiperspirant became a household product and an 18-billion-dollar industry. A marketing campaign is what changed the culture’s point of view. As a scare tactic in the early 1900s, advertisements in magazines and eventually radio and television convinced women that they shouldn’t smell of body odor. If they want to be popular and find a husband, they needed to use a deodorant or antiperspirant. These products contained aluminum chloride, which stopped the sweat and odor but caused cancer.
Aluminum Chloride Causes Breast Cancer
Numerous studies indicated the relationship of aluminum chloride, found in some deodorants and antiperspirants, causing cancer in both females and males. One research showed aluminum chloride and underarm shaving causes an earlier age of breast cancer diagnosis. (x)
Another scientific study indicates aluminum-based antiperspirants block apocrine sweat glands. Over long-term exposure, the body is more susceptible to hormonal-related cancers like breast and prostate cancer. (x)
Why Make Your Own Deodorant?
Drinking a great deal of water and eating a healthy diet can cut down your body odor, but sometimes, you need a little extra help in controlling the odor. You can reach for the conventional methods of using deodorant and antiperspirants, which works, but you will infuse your armpits with synthetic and aluminum-based additives.
You may have noticed that there are not a lot of natural options available. The available ones don’t work as well as a DIY natural deodorant. The following recipe for natural deodorant may be a whole lot healthier for you. Make sure you see a doctor for diagnoses, accurate medical information, and permission before taking any supplements.
DIY Natural Deodorant That Works
The following recipe works well, and maybe the one that works for you. There is a softness to the recipe as the shea butter, and coconut oil offers soothing comfort to the application under the armpits. You can substitute the orange powder with lemon powder since citrus has odor-blocking properties and can reduce dark marks on the skin over time. (x)
DIY Deodorant Recipe
Before you start making your natural deodorant, you need the following ingredients:
- ¼ Cup of raw, unrefined shea butter can soften your skin, and it naturally contains vitamins A, E, F, and K.
- ¼ Cup of raw, unrefined coconut oil also softens your skin, and it naturally contains lauric acid, an antibacterial. (x)
- 4 Tbsp of beeswax soothes irritated skin and is a natural anti-inflammatory and helps turn the mixture into a solid form. (x)
- 2 Tbsp of arrowroot powder helps reduce moisture and binds the mixture.
- 1 Tsp of zinc oxide helps reduce acne breakouts and helps block odors. (x)
- ¾ Tbsp of orange powder as citrus has odor-blocking properties and can reduce dark marks on the skin over time.
- ¼ Tbsp of baking soda helps reduce odor and moisture.
You will need the following cooking utensils:
- Double boiler
- Wooden Spoon
- Heat Resistant Bowl
- Set of measuring dry cups
- Set of measuring spoons
- Two 2.5-ounce deodorant containers or something similar
Instructions:
- In a double boiler and over low heat, you melt shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax until it’s a clear liquid.
- It’s important that you DO NOT use a microwave or use high heat to melt these ingredients. Doing so will cause the beneficial properties of the ingredients to become nonexistent.
- Next, combine all the dry ingredients in a heat resistant bowl and thoroughly mix it.
- Slowly add heated oil mixture to dry ingredients and combine thoroughly.
- Pour the mixture into the 2.5-ounce containers and let them set until solid.
- Keep them away from heat and light, so they remain solid and retain their properties.
Please note: This DIY deodorant recipe is not FDA approved and use it at your own risk.
Where Can I Buy These Ingredients?
You can purchase Zinc Oxide and Orange Powder at BulkSupplements.com. The company is an industry-leading manufacturer and distributor for pure dietary supplements. BulkSupplements.com is not just a consumer brand. It also supplies pure ingredients to other brands that distribute food and other supplement products. All products at BulkSupplements.com are manufactured and tested according to current and proper manufacturing practices.
Are you interested in trying the zinc oxide and orange powder to add to your DIY deodorant recipe? Contact BulkSupplements.com to place an order today.
Possible Side Effects of Using DIY Natural Deodorant
Like any new product for your skin, test it on a small area and see if you get an adverse reaction. If you do, then consider adjusting your recipe accordingly.
Some people get a rash from the baking soda, so if you do get a rash, stop using the deodorant. The next batch you make, try cutting the baking soda in half.
Some people are allergic to coconut oil, and if you are, you can substitute almond, avocado, and jojoba oil.
The deodorant may stain your clothes because you may have applied much under your armpits, or you didn’t allow it to absorb into your skin before putting on your clothes.
Bottom Line
Scientific research indicates many commercially made deodorants and antiperspirants contain aluminum-based and synthetic additives that are harmful to your body after long-term use. Meaning, it causes breast and prostate cancer.
Making your own DIY deodorant that works verifies you are not using any harmful substances on your body. Taking the time to make your own deodorant is healthy and helpful because you then know what you are putting on your body.
Take care and test the first batch on a small part of your skin making sure you have no allergic reactions.
The statements in this article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
