My friend Jody recently told me that she uses Ylang Ylang and Frankincense Essential Oil instead of regular aluminum-based deodorant. It sounded like an interesting idea. After all, there are some very limited links to Alzheimer’s and aluminum. Though the links aren’t conclusive, if something all natural that I can make myself at home can replace traditional antiperspirant, it sounds like something worth trying. As a bonus, Jody always smells great!
For the first trial, I designed a recipe using traditional lotion bar ingredients (olive oil and beeswax) and some (hopefully!) odor-absorbing powders (Tapioca Starch Powder and Sodium Bicarbonate) and essential oils of Ylang Ylang and Frankincense.
Why those two essential oils? Because Ylang Ylang is a purported aphrodisiac. Putting out pheromones instead of sweat seems like a good idea. Frankincense Essential Oil because it has natural anti bacterial properties and smalls considerably better than Tea Tree essential oil. Both the steam distilled and the CO2 extracted Frankincense essential oil versions were used in this recipe.
Check back this week for updates on making herbal deodorant and the report of the first few days of no antiperspirant.
When labeling and selling these, would they be classified as a drug by the FDA because they contain the word “deodorant”? I would like to know because I want to sell these. Thanks!
Deodorants are classified and regulated as cosmetics by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are designed to eliminate odor. Deodorants combined with antiperspirant agents are classified as drugs by the FDA. The key is antiperspirant agents. More information about that is here: http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/CosmeticsQA/ucm136560.htm
What would be classed as an antiperspirant agent?
Hi Jamila, You’ll want to do your own research on this for your own product line but to get you started, antimicrobials such as triclosan, or with metal chelant compounds that slow bacterial growth would be antiperspirant agents. Aluminium chloride, aluminium chlorohydrate, and aluminium-zirconium compounds, most notably aluminium zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly and aluminium zirconium trichlorohydrex gly are also considered antiperspirant agents. EO’s tend to be classified as masking agents rather than antiperspirant agents. Though you definitely want to read the FDA regs for yourself to ensure you feel comfortable and fully compliant with manufacturing your product.
I have been making my own deodorant since Christmas. I am not stinky and have gotten a whole lot of mileage from my raw ingredients. I have been using 1 part cornstarch, 1 part baking soda, 2 parts Shea butter, and just enough soft oil to make it creamy. I add whatever E. O.’s i want to experiment with that day. I used Cypress last batch because it is reputed to reduce sweating. I find it does not work for me without baking soda. it is definitely worth trying!
Love and Blessings to all!
Momma K
Thanks for the suggestion Karie! That sounds like a fabulous recipe and I am so glad that it works so well for you and I will definitely pass on the suggestion. 🙂
-Becky with Bramble Berry
I love my homemade deodorant and will not ever go back to any other brand! I tried the crystal deodorants which worked really well for around 1-2 months, then they just stopped working at all. I was so upset plus stinky again!
This is my recipe that I keep in a jar in my bathroom and it is more paste like.
*1/4 cup baking soda
*1/4 cup cornstarch
*1/2 tsp tea tree, eucalyptus, or your favorite scented oil (currently I made a batch using a plumeria frag)
*1 tbsp+ coconut oil
Mash all of these ingredients together, sometimes I add more coconut oil so it is more like a paste, but if you stick to these measurements you can form a rounded bar or pop into mould to leave overnight to harden. It does take a while to blend altogether but it is very worth it. There are plenty of versions of this recipe around and lots of youtube tutorials too!
I just love my homemade deodorant!
Looks like a great recipe. Thanks for sharing! I’ve never had luck with homemade deodorant But I may just have to give it another try!
Courtney from Bramble Berry
Rebecca-
I make almost the exact same thing! Mine has a little bit more coconut oil but other than that, it’s the same 🙂 Works fantastic and my armpits have gotten used to going au naturale so that I can even go several days without deodorant although I keep a small pack of baby wipes with me just in case I need to freshen up at all.
Update: I’ve given up for the time being on all natural deodorant. I kept having to shower twice a day which was not ideal. The final straw was that my dear husband begged me to go back to something else – apparently I wasn’t such a rose to sleep by at night. Sigh.
I’ll keep at this though. I’m sure I can design something once I put my mind to it.
I am having great lucky with Frankincense essential oil but it doesn’t smell great on me as a girly-girl woman! So, I’m working on blends that are better and will post a follow up on the herbal deodorant project soon.
I use lavender and tree tea oil in mine.
What a great blend! What sort of recipe have you found that works well for you?
-Becky with Bramble Berry
We looked into the rocks, and they also contain aluminum. That pretty much eliminats them, if that is what you are trying to get away from. I am all for trying anything homemade and/or herbal!
I too have tried rocks and others to no avail until I tried this herbal deodorant made by Madina Industrial Co. in NY. Its ingredients are Propylene Glycol, Deionized Water, Sodium Stearate, Triclosan, Vit E, Aloe Vera, Chamomile & Natural Fragrance. It works all day and is clear. Maybe you can incorporate an ingredient similar.
I’ve tried the rocks. They don’t really work for me so I’m hoping the Frankincense provides that extra “Umph!” I’ll keep you posted with photos this week! =)
Don’t they have those rocks/crystals that are supposed to stop odor? Has anyone tried that yet?
There is very disturbing reports about the link between breast cancer and commercial deoderant. I don’t need deoderant but I still make my own for the days I may need it, which is rare. I’ll continue to make my own for my daughters. The reports are too scary for this momma.