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A subject we don't like to discuss: body odour, and why would we? We'd much rather hide behind a nice-smelling deodorant that also keeps our armpits dry for up to 48 hours.
Problem solved, right...?
It has become impossible to imagine our daily routine without it: deodorant. We can no longer do without it. We often apply it several times a day to one of our most sensitive bits of skin; the armpits.
Our skin is our largest organ and absorbs substances from outside. And the thin skin of your armpits just happens to be a place where this happens especially easily. The substances your skin absorbs can enter the bloodstream and then end up all over the body.
By now you'll understand that it is therefore not entirely unimportant what exactly you rub onto your skin.
I myself have switched to homemade deodorant and the reason for this is simple but clear. Ordinary deodorant contains all sorts of ingredients that are unnecessary and even harmful. Substances that our armpit skin sadly absorbs easily, ending up in places in the body where they don't belong.
These 5 ingredients in particular are ones you should absolutely try to avoid:
1. Parabens
Parabens can disrupt normal hormone functions, because this substance mimics the action of oestrogen. It binds to oestrogen receptors and in this way causes all kinds of problems. In the ingredients list, parabens are often listed as methyl-, ethyl-, propyl- and butylparabens.
2. Aluminium
The antiperspirant action of deodorant comes from aluminium salts. These absorb moisture and give a dry feeling. Unfortunately our skin then absorbs the aluminium, which thus enters the bloodstream, and the effect on our body is worrying. Aluminium is a metal that causes oxidative stress and can damage cells in our nervous system in particular. Aluminium is usually listed in the ingredients list as aluminium chloride or aluminium hydrochloride. Incidentally, watch out for deodorants at the chemist that say they are 100% natural and consist of one of those little lumps of salt — this is often still aluminium salt!
3. Propylene glycol
Propylene glycol is a substance made from petroleum and is used in cosmetic products as a 'softening', spreadable agent. In deodorant, then, to make your armpits feel softer and smoother. Propylene glycol is linked to liver and kidney damage and is also said to be bad for the heart and nervous system. Other substances made from petroleum are also strongly discouraged. Among the ingredients they can be recognised as petrolatum, vaseline, paraffinum-liquidum, paraffinum-subliquidum cera microcristallina (hard paraffin), microcrystalline wax, mineral oil, ozokerite, ceresin, C 11-12 or C 13-14 isoparaffin.
4. Phthalates
To make deodorant and other cosmetic products blend well, plasticisers — or phthalates — are often added. Unfortunately, the presence of this substance in the blood and urine of pregnant women is linked to birth defects, because, like parabens, it can disrupt the hormonal balance. Phthalates can be recognised by these names: di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), di-isononyl phthalate (DINP), diethyl phthalate (DEP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP).
5. Triclosan
Triclosan is a white powder with an aromatic scent that has a powerful purifying action. This substance works as an odour fighter, preservative and disinfectant, and so seems an ideal ingredient for a deodorant. But unfortunately, triclosan is also classified as a pesticide.
It was immediately clear to me; I'd be better off getting rid of my deodorant sooner rather than later.
So are there no deodorants for sale that are okay at all?
There certainly are, but for those you usually have to go to a health-food shop. After I had banished conventional deodorant from my bathroom, I initially went to the health-food shop too. The price is unfortunately a bit high, but in terms of ingredients it's definitely good.
Sadly, the natural deodorants didn't work optimally for me and, with my sensitive skin, I still struggled with the amount of alcohol they often contain.
I began experimenting with making my own deodorant and this turned out to be very simple too! With just 5 ingredients you can already make a really good deodorant that smells lovely and keeps you wonderfully fresh.
4 tbsp pure shea butter (read more here about the benefits of shea butter)
2 tbsp almond oil
2 tbsp baking soda
2 tbsp tapioca flour (or cornflour / arrowroot powder)
a few drops of essential oil of your choice for a lovely scent (I used lemon)
A pinch of activated charcoal; gives your deodorant a somewhat stronger effect. Please note: the charcoal rubs off a little, only use with dark clothing!
Tea Tree essential oil; for an extra purifying action. Tea Tree also supports the skin after shaving, for example.
Melt the shea butter in a bain-marie
Add the almond oil, tapioca, baking soda and a few drops of essential oil
Stir everything together well until it becomes a smooth, even mixture
Pour it into a jar or tin
Leave it to cool until it has become firm (in the fridge if needed)
Once it has hardened, it is ready to use. Simply rub a little of the homemade mixture onto your fingers and then spread it over your armpits.
It sounds very simple, but it works incredibly well. And that without aerosols and unwanted ingredients!
Incidentally, you may react a little sensitively to baking soda or it may cause irritation (baking soda is alkaline, whereas our skin has an acidic pH value; for some people this can cause a harmless reaction; the baking soda is otherwise completely safe).
If this is the case, use half the amount of baking soda stated in the recipe or, as I have done, add something acidic such as essential oil of lemon or orange to keep the pH value of your deodorant a little closer to that of the skin.
If you still have trouble, leave out the baking soda altogether and add extra tapioca flour.
"If you can't eat it, don't rub it on your skin either!"
Unfortunately, it isn't only deodorant that has so many harmful ingredients added to it. When you go shopping for personal-care products, take a good look at the ingredients list and, to keep things reasonably simple, stick to these guidelines:
If it contains one of the 5 ingredients mentioned above, leave it on the shelf for sure.
If ingredients contain words like 'PEG' or numbers, or are almost unpronounceable, it's usually bad news too.
Should it all become too much and you can no longer make sense of it, stick to this simple rule: If you can't eat it, don't rub it on your skin either!
Do you already use a DIY deodorant? What kind of ingredients do you like to use most? Let us know your experiences below!
Author: Hannah van der Horst
