Your skin is your largest organ. Sure, everyone knows that, but did you know that a lot of what goes on our skin actually gets absorbed into the bloodstream?
Deodorants, lotions, creams, cosmetics, nail varnishes…all of these have a long hang time on our skin and therefore a greater chance of getting into our bodies. As for me, I prefer to keep this sort of toxic exposure to a minimum by making my own skincare.
So what’s being served up today? Probiotic Deodorant Cream! It sounds funky, but you won’t be! No really, this stuff works reeeaaally well and was fun to make. I’ve been testing it out for a few days and I have to say, it’s really stood up to some pretty intense workouts and some hot humid days.
Why Make Your Own Deodorant?
1. Avoid Toxins
If you haven’t heard already, conventional deodorants contain some pretty nasty chemicals, the worst of which (and unfortunately so) is the main ingredient that keeps you from sweating; aluminum. This ingredient alone has been linked to Alzheimer’s, breast cancer, birth defects, various allergies, and hormonal imbalances. Be sure to watch out as a lot of companies like to try and hide this ingredient under different aliases so if you see a word that even resembles the word aluminum, avoid it!
2. Frugality
Another reason to make your own is that it’s CHEAP! I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but deodorants are expensive and they don’t last all that long. Making your own takes a little investment at first, but you end up with enough homemade product to stock the whole family for years. PLUS, how much would it cost you to treat something like breast cancer?? A whole heck of a lot more than just a few simple ingredients every so often. Now I’m not saying that this deodorant is the sole savior for all your ills, but it’s a start. The probiotic deodorant cream recipe I’m going to share with you today will last me well over 6 months and it cost less than 2 bucks to make. Just sayin’.
3. Let the Body do What it Does Best
Our bodies are the masters of constant detox. Every single day our bodies are eliminating through a network of different pathways whether it be through the bowel, the skin (in the form of sweat or even acne), the nose, the mouth, you name it, our body uses it. Our underarms too? You bet!
In fact, we have quite a few lymph nodes that are in close proximity to the underarm area. We also have more sweat glands in our pits to help us eliminate toxins more effectively. When we use antiperspirants, it inhibits the whole detox process and allows them to recirculate back into the body. Doing this day in and day out can wear out our livers which may already have a tough time sifting through all the other toxins we might be slathering on.
Our bodies are meant to sweat and it’s best not to negatively affect our natural rhythms that were placed there for a reason. So do your body a favor and stop using conventional deodorant!
Do Homemade Deodorants Work?
Yes. After transition!
Sounds like some crazy full moon stuff but it’s not all that bad…unless you’re especially toxic.
So what is transition? It’s basically just the time frame after you switch to an all natural or homemade deodorant where you won’t necessarily stink per se…but you will have some funk happening. This is the detox phase of switching. And wait for it…..here’s NO way around this. You will just have to bear with it until you reach the point where your body has released all the toxins under your arms and you smell normal again. But believe me, it’s worth it in the end knowing that you’re doing something really healthy for yourself. I mean, it’s worth lowering your risk for breast cancer, isn’t it? I’d say so!
So do homemade deodorants work? Yep, as long as you have a few key ingredients, especially essential oils, but this probiotic deodorant cream is extra special in an of itself.
Homemade Probiotic Deodorant Cream
Alright, so let’s get to the recipe already!
Here’s What You’ll Need:
• 2oz shea butter
• 2oz coconut oil
• 1oz Zinc oxide powder
• 5TB arrowroot powder
• .5oz beeswax
• 1/2 tsp vitamin E oil
• 1TB baking soda
• 20 drops Citrus Fresh essential oil (you can get it HERE)
• 10 drops Peppermint essential oil (you can get it HERE)
• 2 capsules shelf stable probiotic
• A kitchen scale
• A double boiler
Loving Preparation – Homemade Probiotic Deodorant Cream
• Using your kitchen scale, measure out the vitamin E oil, shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax. Measure the zinc oxide in a different bowl and set aside.
• Once measured, toss the ingredients into the double boiler over low heat. If you don’t have a double boiler you can melt the ingredients in a small pot on very low heat.
• Once melted, remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool for about 1 minute.
• Add the arrowroot powder, baking soda, and zinc oxide powder.
• Whisk together until smooth.
• Empty 2 capsules of shelf stable probiotic into the mix and whisk again.
• Add in the essential oils (you can get them HERE) and mix well.
• Pour the mixture into a small jar
.
• Label and store in a cool place.
Watch my video tutorial below 🙂
[yumprint-recipe id=’32’]Check out the video below to watch me make it 🙂
Why These Ingredients Work
Coconut Oil
For thousands of years coconut oil
has been used for healing and treating all sorts of health conditions. It’s emollient, stays fresh, and boasts a number of health promoting properties. For example, coconut oil is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory making it suitable for most skin types. You can even use it as an effective remedy for staph and fungus.
Since coconut oil is anti-bacterial is it perfect to use as a base for homemade deodorant recipes.
Zinc Oxide Powder
You may recognize this ingredient in many natural sunscreen recipes for its ability to soothe and protect the skin from too much sun.
Zinc oxide powder is also anti-bacterial and anti-fungal so it’s perfect to use for this recipe. I also find that I sweat a little less.
*** PLEASE make sure NOT to use nano-particle zinc oxide. The one I use is safe for human health. You can get it HERE.
Beeswax
The bees never fail to give us healthful gifts!
Beeswax is wonderful for killing germs and creating a protective barrier against dryness, free radicals, and other environmental assaults. It also happens to be a great source of Vitamin A which helps facilitate cell turnover and prevent clogged pores.
Beeswax is also well tolerated by most people because of its hypoallergenic properties.
Probiotics
Probiotic have the ability to balance and sustain their environment which is why taking them internally is a godsend for many who suffer from digestive ailments.
Well wouldn’t ya know that they are also good for the outside of outside bodies as well? Yep! Their good bacteria will help battle it out with the bad under your arms and win every time!
Just be sure to use strong shelf stable probiotics with a good mix of lactobacillus and bifidobacteria. I like this one.
Essential Oils
Therapeutic grade essential oils like THESE are potent enough to keep your underarms smelling fresh for hours.
Have you ever thought to make a probiotic deodorant cream?
For more homemade deodorant recipes, don’t miss these articles:
Homemade Deodorant with Tangerine and Geranium
Homemade Deodorant Spray
Salt SprayDeodorant
Four Thieves Deodorant Recipe
Homemade Grapefruit Deodorant
Travel Size Roll-On Deodorant Recipe
